Residence Costa Di Kair Ed Din

“Fair priced apartments which were a little dated, but clean and in good condition.”

Great pool area, but foreigners be aware that the hotel requires use of a swimming cap in the pool. The staff were pleasant, but didn't speak English very well and we were missing out on a lot of info due to this. The reception was closed between 2 and 3 pm, even though the little information card … more

Great pool area, but foreigners be aware that the hotel requires use of a swimming cap in the pool. The staff were pleasant, but didn't speak English very well and we were missing out on a lot of info due to this. The reception was closed between 2 and 3 pm, even though the little information card we had received listed the opening hours all day. We almost missed our flight due to this. Although we never received information on the shuttle to the beach and other small irritations, we had a great vacation!

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“The best and worst...”

We stayed the first week of September 2016, having booked through Low Cost Hols, who went broke, we paid the hotel direct which was fine – and even worked out cheaper! Firstly this is an amazing location – Kosta Kair is in the hills and is a bit like a holiday village centred around a central pool… more

We stayed the first week of September 2016, having booked through Low Cost Hols, who went broke, we paid the hotel direct which was fine – and even worked out cheaper! Firstly this is an amazing location – Kosta Kair is in the hills and is a bit like a holiday village centred around a central pool and buildings. By far the best thing is the pool – the views are incredible! It is also very clean (you have to wear a swim cap which can be bought on site) and go through a foot bath and shower before entering pool area. We arrived at around 10pm, having got the train from Rome to Sperlonga and then a 20 minute taxi (there are busses but they finish around 7.15pm) The reception was closed so we had to call the owner who arrived shortly on a moped and booked us in. There is very little lighting or signage. We got lost in the dark trying to find our room – luckily the owner realised this would happen and turned up on his bike again to show us where to go. The accommodation is extremely basic, but reasonably spacious. We were given a pack of sheets and what looked like very large white tea-towels which confused us until we realised they were for the bathroom! They did the job though so can’t complain. Hmmm the bathroom. Again, spacious but very sparse and no toilet paper (the loo did not flush very well either). There was a bath with a shower head, but no hook to hang it on the wall – I rigged up a makeshift device using an old coat-hanger and attached it to the towel rail, There was no shower curtain so the place got flooded regularly – and bizarrely there was no mop – I had to buy a floor cloth in town. The water pressure was good though, and we always had hot water. The bedroom was also spacious, with a decent firm mattress on the bed. It had ample wardrobe space – always appreciated - and a small 14” TV (old style – not flat screen) but only a couple of Italian / German channels available. There is no safe, and only one plug socket in the kitchen. Wifi is only available at the reception area. No-one came into clean whilst we were there. There is a tiny Kitchen in the porch – cramped and basic but we managed to cook most nights – a step up from camping but that’s about it. Overall though, we got quite fond of our little holiday home – it was very private as we were ground floor and came down steps into the property - each home was surrounded by high hedges, we had a little patio out front to sit and eat, and a small, raised grassy section to feed the local cats (surprisingly healthy for strays - but very very timid) On-site Facilities There is a sort of ‘club-house’ building by the pool with laundry facilities, a little shop, restaurant and bar. Unfortunately the season seems to end in September, and the restaurant was only open the first Sat night we were there. The small shop (selling basics like tinned food and pasta) also closed shortly after. The place was pretty deserted – there were other guests (not English), but I think they used the place as a base to sleep and were out all day every day. We only ever saw 4 or 5 people at the pool. There was a lifeguard at all times, and a guy who would serve drinks from the bar if you could find him! There are also large tennis courts and a children’s playground – all deserted by this time of year. Luckily the hotel ran a shuttle bus every 20 mins or so, down to the town and beach – from about 10 in the morning to 7pm at night. It stops outside a local supermarket so we stocked up on a regular basis. Beach area Sperlonga is quite an up-market Italian resort so don’t expect to find any bargains in the town area – restaurants are not cheap, and the beaches (blue flag) are mostly private costing approx. 20 euros for sunbeds. The hotel bus goes to two beach areas – the main (new) town, and the hotel beach which is a little out of town near the ‘Tiberius Grotto’ – a museum and archaeological site. The second is by far the more picturesque area– although we were shocked to be asked for 20 euros even for the hotel beach!!! There is a free area however near the cave, but no sun beds. We refused to pay 20 euros for sun beds – especially as there was not even a discount for hotel guests – totally outrageous in my view! Old town Sperlonga old town is beautiful – perched on top of a cliff, winding cobblestoned streets and alleyways full of art shops and restaurants – all very expensive. Weekend evenings there were free concerts in the main square. It’s about 15 min walk downhill from the hotel – do-able for an evening meal, although we found prices a bit steep, so only did it a couple of times. All in all we enjoyed our stay – we managed trips to Rome and Naples (both about an hour by train from the station – but don’t forget to add on the bus journey and associated restrictions), scenery was amazing, but it’s not the friendliest of places – the hotel was cheap and cheerful though – it could have been a lot better with a tiny bit more effort (eg. proper signage, toilet paper and mop in bath-rooms, a shop that stays open whilst there are guests in the place!). Would we return? Probably not.

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