Vulcano Blu Residence

When you look at the photos, you might be tempted to assume/hope it's a little better than the photos look - but I reassure you it's worse. And service, in the photos...does not show. If you arrive to the island by ferry, you will then wait 25 mins in the blistering heat for their shuttle to arrive (it's a 5 min drive), and then another 20-25 minutes while they wait for the next boat and cram you all into a van (1 more over capacity of the van) because they don't want to leave anyone behind. Upon arrival, I hope you brought your bathing camp - otherwise that'll be 4 EUROS, as will any/every item you might wish to eat, unless you packed the contents of your fridge with you upon arrival. Oh, also that glistening pool? That's another 10-15 (maybe even 25?) Euros.... Can't remember exactly but we booked for the pool, and were incensed we had to pay extra. Also, the wifi only works in the common areas, so get ready to have screaming kids in the audio background of your zoom call. And no connectivity in the quiet of your room, with its thread bare sheets and mini sized towels that also align to the ramshackle shower from a motel in the 80s, and soap bottles that are 1/6th full. Ah yes, paradise. And then when you ask for an early morning shuttle out - they will say yes, confirm, and then forget - leaving you to walk the 30 mins with your luggage to the port - least you miss your ferry out of there. Book at your own risk or enjoyment of disappointment.

We stayed there for 4 days in mid-September with my husband and his mother. It was a kind of "spontaneous" booking, as we just walked in to ask for information, but the owners of the place were most welcoming and undertstanding, they showed us 3 villas to choose from, and we gladly picked the one which satisfied all our needs (not too far from the pool, no stairs to climb, spacious and with a great terrace). The accommodation is of a very good quality, with all the necessary amenities, from hairdryer to air conditioning. But the gem of this place is the swimming pool!! Filled with seawater and surrounded by cosy sunbeds and umbrellas, with a stunning view of the vulcano and the sea, it is just as it appears on the numerous pictures that are posted wherever Vulcano Blu Resience is mentioned. To add to that is a bar, which serves drinks and some light food (salads, sandwiches, etc); a small private beach (stoney) a short way down from the pool through a beautiful park with more sunbeds and umbrellas for those who was more privacy; and a mini bus running regularly between the property and the port (which is a kind of a city center). Overall, that was a lovely exprience, the only thing we regretted was that it was too short... Hope to be back next year!