A Cá Toa

The enclosed balcony was basically bigger than the apartment and looked over a main pedestrian street and shopping mall. It was great for teenagers to play table tennis and just relax.

One of the corner steps coming down from the apartment is difficult for some with sight difficulties to see. Perhaps it could have a white line painted on the top to define it more from the other black steps.

The apartment was large, quirky and spacious with everything needed for a comfortable stay for 2 people (well stocked kitchen with a double induction hob, microwave, kettle, 2 slot toaster, coffee machine, small fridge, but no oven). The 'outdoor' covered dining / seating / games area was brilliant, we played quite a bit of table tennis on an evening after getting back from a full day sightseeing! Although it is situated on one of the busiest tourist streets in La Spezia, we found that once the shops & restaurants had closed at around 10.30pm, the noise died down considerably. Within easy walking distance of the harbour and other touristy stuff (museums, art gallery etc.) and loads of restaurants and bars to choose from on the same street. 2 well stocked and very reasonably priced (especially for Prosecco!) Carrefour supermarkets a 5 minute walk away. Only a 10 minute walk from the main train station with direct trains to Cinque Terre, Genoa & Pisa. The key handover was quick and easy with the host meeting us at the apartment and talking us through the facilities. Key handover on departure was also very easy, you can drop them off at the clothes shop below the apartment, depending on what time you're leaving.

Just a couple of minor niggles to note, and they are minor so don't be put off staying here by any means! There was a bit of a mouldy smell coming from the sink in the kitchen and the shower room and bathroom. We bought a bottle of bleach and poured it down the sinks and shower and that seemed to do the trick. Being on a very busy tourist street, it is noisy during the day and into the evening, so if you tend to like an afternoon siesta or go to bed early you might struggle to get to sleep. That said, the noise does die down around 10.30pm. There is then the noise of the bins being collected quite early and as there are lots of restaurants, the bottle bins are emptied regularly and can be heard fairly early. If you're not planning on getting up super early then you should be able to get back to sleep after the noise has subsided! There were only 2 of us but there is the capacity to sleep 6 people I believe (1 kingsize bed in a separate bedroom, 2 single sofa beds and a double sofa bed in the lounge), however, the bedroom is only separated from the lounge by a large wardrobe and a curtain that can be pulled across the remaining gap, so not much privacy. Also, having only 1 bathroom which is accessed through the main bedroom might be a bit of a pain and cooking for 6 people would probably be a bit of a challenge (double induction hob but no oven, small fridge, small sink and pot draining area and no tea towels, we ended up using one of the bathroom towels). As stated, minor niggles, but things to be aware of!

L'acceuil, L espace, la terrasse avec la table de ping pong, la literie, les équipements et le fond d'épicerie

Ras

Emplacement génial, espace très spacieux, Wi-Fi et télé efficaces, ameublement moderne et propre

Espace cuisine un peu petit et difficile de travailler dedans à 2 personnes. Insonorisation pas très efficace, côté véranda et rue je comprends, mais les fenêtres près de la chambre pourraient être améliorées. :)

Le logement est tres grand et a toutes les commodités nécessaire pour passer un tres bon séjour. L emplacement est ideal pour acceder auux 5 terres. La personne qui nous a accueilli a été trés gentil.

Spacieux, propre et fonctionnel. A proximité du train (10min à pied), des bateaux et d’un marché quotidien.