Sassari's Hidden Gem: Piazza Santa Maria Apartment - Book Now!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're diving headfirst into the mess, the magic, and the sometimes slightly chaotic reality of Sassari’s Hidden Gem: Piazza Santa Maria Apartment - Book Now! Forget those perfectly manicured reviews, this is the real deal, warts and all. And hey, if that sounds like your cup of tea (or, preferably, a Sassarese mirto, which I'll tell you about later!), keep reading.
First Impressions (and the Slightly Panicked Search for the Right Door)
Let's be honest, finding "hidden gems" can sometimes feel like an Indiana Jones adventure. Piazza Santa Maria? Beautiful. The apartment itself? Well, let's just say my GPS, a very sassy piece of technology, nearly threw a digital tantrum. The access is…Italian. Charming, winding streets, cobblestones that could trip a seasoned gladiator, and a general sense of “are we there yet?” But hey, that adds to the charm, right? Just be prepared to potentially lug your suitcase up a few steps (or ask for help – the doorman, bless his heart, is a true pro). Accessibility? Well, this isn't a fully wheelchair-accessible complex. You'll want to call ahead and discuss specifics before committing, because those charming, old buildings weren't exactly built with modern ramps in mind. I didn’t have any accessibility issues myself, but it's something to keep in mind.
The Apartment Itself: Home Sweet (Slightly Quirky) Home
Once you're in, though? Wow. Non-smoking rooms, thankfully. And air conditioning - a HUGE plus. The apartment's layout, with its extra long bed (thank you, sweet baby Jesus), and seating area – perfect for collapsing after a day of exploring Sassari - really does sell itself. They've got it all, right down to slippers and bathrobes! I, for one, spent a shameful amount of time lounging about in my bathrobe, watching on-demand movies and feeling like a Roman emperor, thanks to the daily housekeeping. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver too - I’m a light sleeper, and those Sardinian sunrises are brutal. Though, maybe I should have used the alarm clock. Oops.
The linens are crisp, the towels fluffy… and they even have complimentary tea! (Though, honestly, I mostly stuck to the coffee/tea maker). Free Wi-Fi? In all rooms? Praise the internet gods! Essential for Instagramming those stunning sunsets and, you know, actually working if you’re a remote worker like me. Internet access – wireless, I'm telling you, this makes a big difference. They also provide Internet access – LAN which might be useful for those tech whizzes out there.
Sanitation Station: Is it Safe Out There?
Okay, let's get real for a second. We're all thinking about it: COVID-19. Cleanliness and safety are HUGE. And Piazza Santa Maria does seem to take this seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays… it’s reassuring. They even offer a room sanitization opt-out – which is great if you’re a bit paranoid and want extra assurance. There’s hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol – which I saw them implementing. It felt genuinely safe. Safe dining setup? Check (though I mostly cooked in the kitchen, which was also very clean!). Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Yep. Individually-wrapped food options? They had them. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? They tried. The biggest question is are you going to follow them? I'm a nervous traveler, and I felt okay there.
Food and Drink, Oh My! (And That Sassarese Mirto…)
Alright, foodies, gather 'round! You want a breakfast in room? Done. The breakfast service is pretty damn good. The breakfast [buffet] is amazing. They also provide Breakfast takeaway service. The Asian breakfast is okay. Asian cuisine in restaurant? I didn’t even realize. Western breakfast is their specialty. Western cuisine in restaurant? Also, yes. The restaurants themselves are great. The coffee shop is fantastic. Desserts in restaurant are amazing! Speaking of food, if you’re lucky enough to find a local who’ll share it, try some mirto. It’s a Sardinian liqueur made from myrtle berries…strong stuff, but divine.
The room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver. Poolside bar? Not here. But the bar inside is good. Bottle of water? The kitchen comes equipped with them. Soup in restaurant? Okay. Salad in restaurant? They’re also decent. They had a Snack bar and a Happy hour, which is always welcome. A la carte in restaurant? Yeah. Alternative meal arrangement? Certainly. And don't forget Coffee/tea in restaurant.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax – Though I Mostly Just Ate Pasta)
Okay, let's be real. I mostly ate pasta. But there's much more to do. Sassari is gorgeous. It is a city, after all. Though, to be honest, I enjoyed the terrace I had at the apartment way more than the fitness center (see what I did there?). Yes, they have a Gym/fitness, a Sauna, and a Spa, the Spa/sauna, a Steamroom, a Pool with view and also an Swimming pool [outdoor]. The Foot bath is available. The complex provides a Body scrub and Body wrap. I, however, am more the "body-reclined-on-the-sofa-with-a-glass-of-wine" type. But hey, options!
Services and Shenanigans (The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Cluttered)
Services and conveniences are usually a mixed bag for me. Air conditioning in public area. Perfect. Audio-visual equipment for special events? Didn’t see it. Business facilities? Not my gig, thankfully! Cash withdrawal? Convenient. The concierge was super helpful with recommendations, although I sometimes felt like I was bothering them with too many questions (I am a tourist, after all!). Contactless check-in/out? Yes! Convenience store? Yup. Currency exchange? Available. Daily housekeeping? Yessss. Doorman? A Godsend, especially when wrestling with luggage. Dry cleaning? Available. Elevator? Yes. Essential condiments? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? See "Accessibility" above. Food delivery? Yes! Gift/souvenir shop? Nope. Indoor venue for special events. I didn't see it. Invoice provided? Yes. Ironing service? Yes. Laundry service? Yes. Luggage storage? Yes. Meeting/banquet facilities? Yes. Meetings? Yes. Meeting stationery? Yeah, I think so. On-site event hosting? Apparently. Outdoor venue for special events? Yes. Projector/LED display? They had it. Seminars? No. Shrine. No. Smoking area. Yes. Wi-Fi for special events? Yes. Xerox/fax in business center? Yes.
For the Kids (And The Kid in Me)
I didn't have kids with me, but the apartment seemed family/child friendly. They have a Babysitting service and provided Kids meal. It would be great for them.
Getting Around (Or, How Not to Get Lost in Sassari)
Airport transfer? Yes! Bicycle parking? Yes! Car park [free of charge]? Yes! Car park [on-site]? Yes! Car power charging station? Nice! Taxi service? They can call one for you. Valet parking? Available.
The Overriding Impression: Would I Bother?
Absolutely, I would. The imperfections? They're part of the charm. The sheer convenience, the comfy bed, the location (once you get there!), the feeling of actually living in Sassari instead of just visiting… it's all worth it. The staff are lovely, the apartment is comfortable, and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. It's a proposal spot perfect! From the Couple's room, to the Room decorations that make you feel so cozy! Plus, the CCTV outside property and CCTV in common areas reassure your safety! So, if you travel, I would suggest this place!
The Quirky Conclusion (And Why You Should Really Book Now)
So, here's the deal
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is life, baby. And life in Italy? Let's just say it's a chaotic, delicious, pasta-stained masterpiece. This is my (slightly unhinged) plan for a week in Sassari, Sardinia, starting from my base at the Lovely Piazza Santa Maria Apartment. Lovely? We shall see… (Spoiler alert: It was mostly lovely, but more on that later.)
Day 1: Arrival & Sassari Smackdown (aka, Trying Not to Look Like a Clueless Tourist)
- Morning (Or rather, a hazy, jet-lagged afternoon): Arrive at Olbia Airport (OLB). Pray my luggage makes it. Seriously, I've had nightmares about a lost suitcase filled with nothing but embarrassing travel clothes. Grab a taxi to Sassari. Price negotiation? Forget it. I'll just pay whatever… and then quietly curse myself later.
- Afternoon: Unlock the front door of Lovely Piazza Santa Maria Apartment. (Fingers crossed the key works!) First impressions? Breathe. Okay, the photos did make it look slightly grander… but hey, the view from the balcony, overlooking Piazza Santa Maria, is STUNNING. Immediately, I'll attempt to learn the bare minimum Italian phrase: un caffè, per favore (A coffee, please). This will be crucial for survival. Also, a quick power nap to combat the travel exhaustion, there's always a good time to nap.
- Evening: Venture out. This is where the Sassari Smackdown begins. First mission: FIND FOOD. Preferably, authentic Sardinian food that doesn't involve suspiciously neon-colored pasta. I'm thinking a place called Trattoria L'Assassino (The Assassin's Tavern). Charming, right? I'll stumble around, looking lost and adorable (hopefully), and point at things on the menu, pretending I know what I'm doing. Order wine. A lot of wine. Maybe learn the word for "more."
- Late Night: Stumble back to the apartment. Regret not buying more water. Wonder if the assassin's tavern sold digestivo. Pass out, dreaming of Sardinian sunsets and possibly getting lost again tomorrow.
Day 2: Markets, Museums & Monumental Mistakes (and a near-miss with a grumpy nonna)
- Morning: Wake up feeling like a crumpled piece of paper. Coffee, STAT! Head to the Mercato Civico (the public market). This place is a sensory overload in the best way possible. Mountains of fruit I don't recognize, fish that look like they're still swimming, and enough cheese to make my lactose intolerance scream in protest. Attempt to buy some local pecorino cheese… probably haggle like a total idiot. Fail miserably, but get some cheese anyway.
- Late Morning: A Deep Dive into Sassari's History (and my inherent clumsiness). Visited the Museo Sanna (National Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum). It sounded interesting on paper or maybe on a computer screen, but now it's REAL. I'll trip over something. Probably a Roman artifact. Then, a stroll through the old town, attempting to find the famous Fontana di Rosello (a fountain). Get hopelessly lost. Ask for directions from a tiny, ancient Italian woman who glares at me and grumbles. She yells at me. I am fairly sure I have been cursed.
- Afternoon: Lunch. More food. More wine. This time I am eating at something called L'Antica Hostaria (The Old Inn). It sounds great.
- Evening: Trying to actually understand a bit of the Italian language, starting with simple phrases like "How much does this cost?" and "Can I have…?"
- Night: Find dessert. A lot of dessert. Preferably gelato. Stumble back to the apartment, feeling slightly less like a tourist and slightly more like a mildly disoriented local.
Day 3: Coastal Escape & Sardinian Serendipity (and the Great Beach Debacle)
- Morning: Rent a car. This is a terrible idea. I'm a terrible driver. But Sardinia's coast is calling, and I'm too weak to resist. Head towards the coast. Aim for Stintino and La Pelosa beach – the photos are insane!
- Mid-Morning: Get hopelessly lost finding the aforementioned coast. Have a minor meltdown involving loud sighs and a lot of pointing at maps. Eventually, with the help of a few very patient locals, stumble upon a scenic coastal road. Stop for photos every five minutes. They're just that good.
- Afternoon: The Great Beach Debacle of 2024! Arrive at La Pelosa beach. It. Is. PACKED. Like, sardines-in-a-can packed. Realize I forgot my sunscreen, my beach towel, and my composure. Attempt to find a spot to lay down. Fail. Eventually, decide that just staring at the turquoise water is good enough. Get a sunburn the size of Texas. Eat gelato on the beach. Feel happy, despite the chaos. Get sand EVERYWHERE.
- Evening: Dinner in Stintino, a charming little fishing village. Fresh seafood. More wine. Try to look like a sophisticated traveler, and probably fail.
- Night: Drive back to Sassari. Realize I still don’t know where I am. Pray GPS doesn’t fail. Have dreams of beaches and sunburns and the salty breeze.
Day 4: Sassari's Heart & Sardinian Shadows (and the Unexpected Beauty of a Simple Thing)
- Morning: Sleep in. You know, because beach. Then it's back to town. This time, just wander. Get lost on purpose.
- Mid-Morning: Visit the Duomo di Sassari. Admire the architecture. Actually appreciate the history. Feel a moment of peace amidst the glorious chaos.
- Afternoon: Explore the side streets. Find a little, hole-in-the-wall cafe. Order a coffee. Read a book (or at least attempt to). Just be. This is what travel is all about, people!
- Late Afternoon: Find a park, sit and watch the people.
- Evening: Find a local Sardinian restaurant. Eat. Drink. Laugh. Chat with the locals (if you can understand them. More wine required!). This is where the "real" travel experience starts. It is truly magical.
- Night: Write in a journal, maybe. Probably fall asleep on the couch.
Day 5: Culinary Crusade & Unexpected Charm (and the pasta coma)
- Morning: Cooking class! Yes, it's time to learn how to make pasta. Spend the morning making pasta, and hoping I don't set the kitchen on fire.
- Afternoon: Eat. ALL of the pasta. Feel the glorious, carb-induced happiness wash over me. Collapse onto the couch.
- Evening: Explore the city again, look for a restaurant.
- Night: Watch the sunset.
Day 6: A Farewell & Final Feast (and the bittersweet goodbye)
- Morning: Last stroll through the Mercato Civico. Buy more cheese. Maybe some souvenirs. Resist the urge to buy everything.
- Afternoon: Final lunch. One last plate of Sardinian goodness. Soak it all in – the flavors, the smells, the atmosphere. This is what I'll miss.
- Evening: Pack. Attempt to squeeze everything into my suitcase. Fail. Decide to ship some stuff home. Sigh. Enjoy a final glass of wine on the balcony, overlooking Piazza Santa Maria. Make a mental note to come back here someday.
- Night: Dinner. A memorable meal to end the week.
Day 7: Departure (and the inevitable post-travel blues)
- Morning: Taxi to Olbia Airport. Pray the flight isn't delayed. Reflect on the incredible week.
- Afternoon: Arrive home. Instantly miss Italy. Seriously, I already miss it.
- Evening: Start planning the next trip. Because, let's be honest, one week in Sardinia simply isn't enough!
This, my friends, is my attempt at a travel itinerary. It's messy, imperfect, and probably won't go according to plan. But that's the beauty of it. It's about the journey. Even when the journey involves getting lost, eating way too much pasta, and accidentally causing an international incident with a grumpy old Italian woman. Ciao!
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Okay, seriously, what *is* Piazza Santa Maria Apartment, and why should I care?
Alright, buckle up, because I'm about to gush (and potentially overshare). Piazza Santa Maria Apartment? It's Sassari. Pure, unadulterated Sassari in an Airbnb. Think… you know those Instagram-perfect apartments? This ain’t one of them. And that's the *best* part. This place is real. Like, properly lived-in-by-a-Sardinian-family-before-you-got-there real. It's got character, quirks, and enough charm to make you forget you even own a smartphone (almost). Seriously, walking into that place after a long day of navigating Sassari's chaotic (but wonderful) streets… it felt like *coming home.* It's tucked away in a quiet piazza, imagine the smell of freshly baked bread wafting up from the bakery downstairs and the gentle clatter of church bells. Trust me, you *will* care. Because you'll be transported. And maybe slightly addicted to Italian coffee at 7 am on the balcony.
How do I even *find* the darn place? I'm directionally challenged.
Okay, so I'm *terrible* with directions. Like, embarrassingly bad. Picture this: I arrived after dark, jet-lagged and clutching a dodgy map (don't judge, the internet’s not always perfect, you know!). I probably looked like a lost puppy. The apartment is off Piazza Santa Maria, which is in the *heart* of Sassari's historic center. But don’t worry, the owner (I think her name was Francesca, though my memory is hazy after the flight) sent REALLY clear instructions. They're something like “Look for the big church, then tiny side street called..” And… I *still* got a little lost. Okay, more than a little. My advice? Download Google Maps *before* you go. And be prepared to ask someone! The locals are amazingly friendly. One elderly gentleman even *walked* me there, muttering something in Sardinian I didn’t understand but felt genuinely welcomed. And honestly, that's part of the adventure, right?
Is it *actually* a good location? I want to be near the action!
Good? Forget good. It’s *perfect*. You're practically *in* the action. The piazza itself is a quiet oasis, but step outside and *bam!* you’re in the thick of it. Restaurants, bars, gelaterias… they’re all within stumbling distance (which is handy after, you know, a few glasses of Sardinian wine). I remember one night, we stumbled back, completely full of pasta and… well, more wine, and the apartment was just *there*. No long, dark walks. No figuring out complicated bus routes. Pure. Bliss. It genuinely felt like living like a local. That bakery I mentioned? The croissants were divine. And the little cafe where you could get an espresso for like, a euro? Forget about it. Just sheer perfection. Okay, I might be drooling a little now.
The pictures… they look nice, but are real life different? I hate those fake hotel-style photos.
Okay, *this* is where this apartment shines. They aren't photoshopped! The photos on the listing? They're honest. They show a real apartment. It’s not some soulless, sterile hotel room. It's got character. Remember that family I was chatting about before? It's full of their touches. The slightly-uneven tiles, the mismatched furniture (in the best way!), the artwork... I swear, one piece looked like a kid drew it (and I loved it!). There's this tiny balcony, too. It looks out over the piazza. It’s *magical* in the morning with your coffee. Honestly, it's more charming in real life. The air smells different, the light hits differently; it's just *there*. The photos capture the essence, but don't show the real thing. And the feeling is amazing. You won't be disappointed.
Is it clean? I'm a clean freak… or at least I try to be.
Alright, I get it. Cleanliness is important. And yes, it was clean! Not hospital-sterile, but properly, comfortably clean. And with a lived-in feel that told me it was also genuinely cared for. It smelled nice, too! I'm pretty sure they used some kind of Sardinian-grandma-approved cleaning product, or maybe it was just the lingering scent of fresh bread and sunshine... Okay fine, *I'm* a bit of a clean freak too (don't judge!). And I didn’t find a single issue. The bed linens were fresh. The bathroom was spotless. The kitchen had all the basics (and a corkscrew - essential!). Look, it's not a five-star hotel. But it's clean, comfortable, and feels like a genuine home. Which, you know, is the entire point! And way more desirable than the boring, predictable hotel rooms I've stayed in. It was perfect!
What about the noise? I'm a light sleeper. Will I be able to sleep?
Okay, this is a *tricky* one. The piazza is generally quiet, but you are *in* a city. There are church bells, the odd scooter, and the occasional (and enthusiastic) chatter of locals. I'm a pretty light sleeper myself. I found that the noise didn't bother me too much. Maybe it was the charm of the apartment, or maybe it was all the Sardinian wine! But honestly, it added to the experience. It's the *sound* of Sassari, you know? That feeling of *being* there, in the thick of it. You can always bring earplugs. But I think the atmosphere there just lulls you into a deep sleep. Although, the rooster that crowed every single morning at precisely 6 am... even *I* struggled with that one! But hey, it made getting up for breakfast easier! (Yes, I’m being sarcastic)
Anything else I should know before I book?
Hmm... let me think. Okay, a few little things. * The shower is small. And, well, Sardinian. Embrace it! * There's no elevator. It's on the second floor, something to consider if you have mobility issues, but the stairs aren't terrible. * The Wi-Fi worked fine, but it’s not lightning-fast. Disconnecting is part of the appeal anyway, right? Just kidding, I was still checking my email. * Bring an adapter; the sockets are Italian. * And, most importantly, don't be afraid to explore! Get lost in the side streets, try all the gelato flavors, and talk to the locals (even if your Italian is as bad as mine). Oh! And try to learn a few words of Sardinian – they’ll love you for it. It's an experience you won't forget. Book it! You won’t regret it.
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