Laigueglia holiday villa

Laigueglia is a very beguiling small, light, airy and relatively up-market Ligurian coastal resort. It has pristine (if crowded) beaches and many cafes and restaurants along the promenade and in the small piazzas. There are enough shops and a good Friday farmer's market (a Conad supermarket is in Andora). There's a playground for children and some evening events in summer. With the seafront promenade and the main shopping street pedestrianised, it's also safe for toddlers. It is easily accessed by road, although trains are less frequent and limited. It looks much nicer than some of the other resorts along the coast and visitors were almost exclusively Italians: we didn’t hear English spoken more than twice in a week – which is how we like it. The resorts of Andora and Alessio are 5-10 minutes by car (with the latter nice too). San Remo is a 45 minutes drive, and the mountainous interior is easily accessible.

The Villa Anita is very spacious and offers good views over the town and sea – especially from the large balconies. The kitchens and bedrooms provide sufficient space and were clean. The bathrooms were functional, although the décor is dated. We would have liked more seating options in the lounge - the sofa only seats two people: more comfortable seats would be required for a full party of adults. The kitchen terrace is very nice, although the foliage provided cover for Mosquitoes on our visit (but this varies according to the seasons). The small garden is out of service at the moment and not suitable for young children as it is a stepped-terrace built into the hillside. The owner has provided mountain bikes.

Access may be a problem for those with limited mobility. The entrance is up 45 steps and at the top of a short (40 metres) but steep hill. This may be unsuitable for the old or infirm. There is a parking space on this hillside, although it is at the end of a hotel car-park – so you have to remove their barrier and explain your presence to them upon arrival (and parking for more than one car may be a problem in high-summer). The owner is very helpful – he provided a children’s high-chair (upon request) and advice about local restaurants, shops and facilities.

In sum, this is a good place for a beach holiday, or for those wanting a slice of small-town Italian life but with sufficient services for a week or two. The villa is 5-10 minutes walk from the centre, and 3-5 minutes from shops, café’s and restaurants.

Final mark: 3.7 from 5