Santa Caterina

Very close to the train station, large deck with table and lounge chairs. The washing machine and drying rack were very handy and the kitchen was equipped with high end pots and pans.The owner was easy to reach and very accommodating.

A few more supplies like dish soap, more kitchen towels, and a toaster.

Spacious and modern. Clean and comfortable. Delightful place to stay in Levanto. Close to the train station. Our host Andrea was very helpful and kind.

A lock on the bathroom door would be good. A bit nerve wracking using the bathroom.

Levanto is a very pleasant and relaxed seaside resort popular with Italian families with many restaurants and gelateries. Much of the medieval walls are intact and the picturesque streets repay exploring, walking up to the church and castle for a view. There is an easy walk to the next town along the old railway track, and the ferry to the Cinque Terra stops at Levanto. The apartment is in one over 3 floors of six modern blocks of flats built very close to the train station. The apartment was clean and spacious and has a balcony.

We chose the apartment as we wanted self-catering, however, although it is very spacious it really isn't set up for any kind of catering with no dishwasher, no microwave, little equipment and most critically no work surface to prepare food on. There are three different means to make coffee, and a fridge so if you want to keep a bottle of wine cool, and fetch a pastry from a lovely nearby bakery to go with your coffee, then it is fine. If you want to chop, slice, fry, boil, and store leftovers it is a struggle. The top-loading washing machine is also strange, given how much space there is in the living/kitchen/dining room. The layout is extremely strange and has not been designed by anyone who would use it. There are two ensuite bedrooms, but a third acts a a corridor to the balcony and includes a desk and chair. The lack of storage is also frustrating, each wardrobe has a hanging rail which cannot be reached by anyone under 5'11 interrupted by a shelf preventing use for any garments longer than a shirt. It would have been no more costly or troublesome to install a hanging rail at a useable height and shelves for other clothing, it is just as if the installation of the IKEA kitchen and wardrobes have been done by someone who has never used either. Visiting during the July heatwave, the lack of airconditioning created a dilemma of leaving windows open at night and being bitten or closed and retaining the daytime heat. The shutters are effective at blocking the light and shading during the day, and the balcony was useable in the morning or after 7pm.

The location was very good - just on the edge of town with easy access to restaurants and a short walk to the beach. Right next to the train station. The property is very big and modern, and clean on arrival.

Despite providing the requested hour's notice of our arrival time, our host was not there to meet us and told us we'd have to wait 30 mins. When he did arrive check in was perfunctory. Although big, the property is not well equipped, there is very little storage other than wardrobes, the kitchen was missing key equipment, and there are very few conveniently placed sockets. Despite clearly being quite new, it could do with some maintenance - the shower sprays everywhere and there is evidence of damp in some rooms.