To find out what our guests have thought of us since we opened Il Cubetto in 2020, you can check out the many reviews we’ve collected on Airbnb at the following links:

https://airbnb.com/h/il-cubetto-sea-studio

https://airbnb.com/h/il-cubetto-sun-studio

https://airbnb.com/h/il-cubetto-whole

You’ll see that our rating – and the satisfaction of our guests – is consistently high. For this reason, we’ve been recognized as Superhosts ever since our first year of activity.

However, our approach is to be completely transparent about certain aspects that could, for some, detract from their holiday experience. Everyone is different, and what some consider a charming feature – such as being surrounded by open countryside – might be a drawback for others.

So, here are a few things to consider about our property that might not be suitable for all guests. We share this information to help ensure your stay is exactly what you hope for and to avoid lower ratings based on factors outside our control or unrelated to the care we put into our hosting.

We are, as mentioned, deep in the countryside.
That means barking dogs (sometimes at night, either guarding their homes or reacting to wildlife), roosters crowing at sunrise (and beyond), and occasional sounds like grass being cut or farming activities nearby are part of the landscape. At night, the silence is nearly absolute – so any noise tends to be more noticeable than in places with more ambient sound. Light sleepers or those particularly sensitive to noise should take this into account.

Life in the countryside also means… insects!
Depending on the season – especially in spring, when all of nature comes back to life – you might encounter ants, spiders, flies, snails (especially in wet conditions), mosquitoes, bees, wasps etc.. Their presence is in NO WAY related to the cleanliness of the rooms, to which we pay the utmost care; it’s simply due to the natural surroundings. None are dangerous, but if you’re expecting a sterile, bug-free environment, the countryside may not be the best fit. We do our best to keep them out – starting the season with a preventive pest control treatment (reluctantly, since we’d prefer not to harm anything) and equipping both studios with mosquito screens. Still, especially if guests forget to close the screens, or if they leave food crumbs around, some uninvited visitors may get in. If you have strong insect phobias or serious allergies, a more urban setting might be better for you.

Sun exposure of the cottage and the pool during the low seasons.
Our location is quite strategic for visiting many historic towns and points of interest. This is why we host guests in nearly every season. As long as you have a car, there’s always something to do – even on rainy days. Those booking in the low season will benefit from better rates and quieter surroundings. However, please note that at the start or end of the season (especially in October), since Il Cubetto is located on a hillside, the sun may only reach the house in the morning or until early afternoon. This does not apply to the beaches, which in these months are quiet and beautiful without the summer crowds.

Il Cubetto isn’t the easiest place to stay without your own transport.
No problem if your goal is to enjoy a few days of total relax by the pool – you can do your grocery shopping here in our village, about 20 mins walking. But you’ll want a car, motorbike, or even an e-bike (if you’re up for cycling) to get around freely – please see the section “If you do not have a car” in this website. Public buses are few here in the full countryside, and they only connect to nearby villages and some beaches in summer (also you might need to change lines). Taxis are only private and quite expensive, so we sometimes help guests by giving lifts in our own cars for a fuel/time refund. But we’ll need 24 hours’ notice, and it depends on whether we’re free when you need to travel!

Il Cubetto is not the right choice for those seeking nightlife.
While the area has plenty of great restaurants and some lively town events during the summer, it lacks clubs, pubs, and entertainment geared toward younger crowds.

As with many countryside accommodations in Tuscany, Il Cubetto is accessed via a dirt road.

The entrance also includes a slope, and the road can also get a bit muddy when it rains heavily, despite the maintenance we do every year. Most guests have no trouble reaching the cottage or parking in the small lot next to the house. However, guests who are unfamiliar with driving on gravel roads without street lighting, or who have very low or oversized vehicles (like minivans), sometimes prefer to park near the paved road and walk through our garden – where you’ll also meet our two friendly dogs. We’ve never had any issues with car theft or vandalism, so leaving your vehicle outside the gate is completely safe.

Il Cubetto is a wooden cottage.
Although we’ve invested in high-quality soundproofing, it doesn’t provide the full acoustic isolation of a stone or brick building. So, when both studios are occupied, you may occasionally hear your neighbors speaking or moving around – similar to what can happen in adjacent hotel rooms. Most guests have not found this to be a problem, but we feel it’s important to mention it in case you’re particularly sensitive.

There’s no TV in our studios.
Our place is all about switching off and relaxing in a way that’s totally different from what we’re used to. But don’t worry-there’s good Wi-Fi, so if you want to use your laptop or phone for entertainment, go ahead! No one’s ever missed having a TV.

Due to the fact that our pool is not fenced and gated, the house is not suitable for children under 12.
For safety and insurance reasons, we unfortunately cannot accept bookings from families with younger children.

Dogs are very welcome at the Cubetto, but…
We have two of our own, and you may encounter other guests staying with their dogs – sometimes more than one. While everyone is expected to follow basic rules of respect and good manners, not all dogs will be on a leash at all times. So far, all our guests’ pets have been well-behaved. But if you’re afraid of dogs or generally uncomfortable around animals, our place might not be the ideal setting for a relaxing holiday.