C.da Cala Creta, Lampedusa, Italy
In a quiet area overlooking the Mediterranean, by the bay of Cala Creta
Five-minute drive into downtown Lampedusa
Traditional stone houses with shaded terraces
Quaint style and decor plus modern mosaic-tiled bathrooms
Restaurant serves a breakfast buffet and Mediterranean dinners
Free shuttle to the airport and area's main beaches
Small library with books on local history and culture
Free Wi-Fi in some common areas
Free on-site parking
Remote location away from attractions
Wi-Fi only works outside of the houses
No TVs in the rooms
This quaint, family-owned value property overlooking the Mediterranean consists of a collection of 23 dammusi, traditional Sicilian stone houses. All of the charming units have safes and radios, but they lack TVs and Wi-FI is only available in some common areas. The property is located on the bay of Cala Creta with access to a rocky beach, and the hotel also runs a shuttle to some of the island’s other beaches and the airport. The location outside of Lampedusa’s busy tourist area makes for a restful stay, though travelers looking to explore the island may want to rent a car or scooter. Those looking to be closer to the main town can try El Mosaico del Sol, which has similar rates and a pool, but lacks the same charming style.
Scene
Beautifully landscaped and quiet value property with a homey atmosphere
The Hotel i Dammusi di Borgo Cala Creta has been owned by a family since 1970, so the atmosphere is familiar and homey. Add to that the overall quaint decor, and this makes for one of the more pleasant spots to kick back on Lampedusa. The property is beautifully landscaped and filled with stonework, while the cave-like walls of the small reception area are decorated with colorful ceramic crafts. There's wicker furniture throughout the common areas and the restaurant, which has an expansive terrace filled with trees and flowers. The property is a quiet place that's ideal for couples on a romantic getaway, but single travelers and groups of friends looking for something relaxed pass through as well. The hotel almost exclusively draws domestic Italian tourists.
Location
Near the sea at Cala Creta, in Lampedusa's laid-back east end
The hotel sits near the bay of Cala Creta and is surrounded by the water of the Mediterranean. It’s in a quiet area with other small hotels scattered along dirt roads, a few minutes’ drive from a supermarket. Via Roma, Lampedusa’s Restaurant Row, is a five-minute drive away, while the island’s popular Rabbit Beach is a 20-minute drive. It’s a seven-minute drive to Lampedusa’s airport and the hotel operates a free shuttle on a fixed schedule to area beaches and the airport. The "beach" nearby is quite stunning to look at, but it isn't the sandy shore many guests may have in mind.
Rooms
Spacious, traditional houses with private terraces and lots of charm
The property consists of 23dammusi, which are traditional houses covered in stone, with stucco white walls. Interiors continue the hand-crafted look, with lots of soft lines and curvilinear edges created by the craftsmanship. Decor is simple and homey, with soft-blue linens and wicker furniture, and the units feature domed ceilings and shaded outdoor patios with small private gardens -- an extra-quaint addition and a fine place to sip some morning coffee. Colorful local tiles make appearances as headboards in some rooms, and blue bedding makes everything feel appropriately sea-inspired. The odd decorative starfish here or there tastefully continues the motif. Rooms don’t have TVs, contributing to the unplugged atmosphere, but they do come with radios and small safes. Wi-Fi works in the common areas and outside of dammusi, but not inside the rooms. Modern, mosaic-tiled bathrooms are bright and cheerful, but compact, with pedestal sinks, little counter space, and narrow walk-in showers.
Features
Restaurant serving dinner and a buffet breakfast, free hotel shuttle, and beach towels
Like many of the small hotels that line the shores of Lampedusa, the features here are limited, though most guests use it as a home base for exploring the island. The hotel’s restaurant is only open for breakfast and dinner, and specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, with a menu that changes daily and with a special Tunisian dinner one night a week. A buffet breakfast with cheeses, pastries, and fruit is served each morning for a fee. The hotel lobby has a small library with novels and a selection of books on the history and culture of the Mediterranean region. The hotel offers airport and port transfers, as well as a shuttle to the airport and popular beaches on a fixed schedule. Parking is free, as is Wi-Fi.