B&B Villa Paola

Villa Paola is in via Cagliata, on the slopes of the medieval village of Grottammare Alta, the old part perched above the Adriatic. It is a small bed and breakfast, three rooms only, called Faro, Stella Marina and Timone, with air conditioning, a flat screen television and a private bathroom with shower. From the gate the streets of the old centre are a few minutes away and the beach about ten minutes on foot.

What there really is outside

Do not expect a spa: there is no sauna, no steam bath and no treatment cabins here, and the house's website names none. What there is is a well kept garden, of medium size, with olive trees, flowers and old statues, among them the Giardino di Venere, and from this garden the view opens onto the sea. At its centre is the swimming pool, which the owners call the piscina dei Principi, outdoors, with chairs, deckchairs and sunbeds around it. In a reserved part of the garden an uncovered hot tub is set out, and there is also a corner given over to relaxing. A small fitness room with natural light completes the picture. Neither the pool nor the hot tub is covered, so the useful period is the warm season.

Breakfast is served on the open patio: croissants, jams and home made cakes, with savoury dishes prepared on request. It is family run and the owners are the reason why many guests come back.

The house takes adults only, which in a three room property makes a real difference: the pool and the garden stay quiet all day. Suited to couples who want the Marche out of season, to cyclists heading for the Piceno hills and to those looking for the sea without the noise of the resorts along the seafront.