I don't understand how Italy's hotel star-scoring works but I do know the system's not worth a damn. The night prior to arriving at Hotel La Barcarola we stayed in a cheap, impersonal and soul-sapping airport hotel which was apparently four stars. How then this delightful, spotlessly clean, family-run in the heart of Marina Di Campo has just two I'll never know. I booked this for the central location and free car parking, and prayed it would be okay. To say it succeeded expectations is an understatement. From the moment we arrived to a warm welcome from the owner and one or two of her delightful daughters, I knew we'd made a good decision. Looking around the lobby, with family photos up, a private lounge off to one side, it just felt unpretentious yet not unprofessional, and oh so Italy. My wife looked at me and just said, "I love it." We had yet to see the large room, the huge (and I mean huge) sheltered terrace, the spotless bathroom, or try the generous breakfast in which you are supplied with plates of food and cartons and actively encouraged to make a picnic for lunch, and what has to be the most powerful shower on Elba. If you want modern and sleek and impersonal then perhaps you need to look elsewhere. But should you be on Elba at all if you seek those things? This is not to say the Barcarola isn't modern - the doors and windows are powder coated aluminium, the life-saving air con worked wonderfully, there's a lift - but it's homely and has a lovely feel to it. It also feels safe, as Elba does generally of course, but more so because it's right over the small road from the police station. But best of all, you're 20 seconds from the main drag, the pedestrian and shopping street (one back from the beach road) that is the main thoroughfare where the evening passagiata takes place. Marina DC's supermarket is a 90 second walk away, and the beach perhaps three minutes' walk.

There's nothing we didn't like. If you want ultra modern then sure, La Barcarola may not be for you. But if are looking for a genuine Italian family hotel, run well, in an unbeatable central location in Marina DC then you'd be hard pushed to find better.

The hotel is located a short distance from the center and a 5-minute walk from the beach. The rooms are clean and well maintained. Breakfast at the hotel was of a good standard, everyone can choose. Bags and boxes are also available and guests can take anything from breakfast to take away. The staff is very helpful and friendly. Even our women received a small gift. Free parking is available, which is a big plus.

The staff were so helpful and friendly. I booked the hotel for the half marathon and it couldn’t have been a better location for the event. Right in the centre, close to the beach, the supermarket, restaurants, the bus stop- perfect!

WiFi didn’t work in my bedroom but I wasn’t staying long enough for it to bother me

Good breakfast with fresh food, tomato and mozzarella balls. (Also lots of Italian sweet stuff) Decaf available. We were almost pushed to take some lunch with us from the breakfast - bags and boxes offered! Whole family involved and all very helpful and friendly. Great location near the beach on the main pedestrianized street. Very good beds and pillows..

Bathroom (second floor) a bit small and beyond its best time. Like many Italian hotels, practically no noise insulation.

Excellent location, super clean and comfortable beds! Also the owner was very sweet. Our stay definitely exceeded our expectation and we would definitely stay here again!

The only tiny minus was that the Wi-Fi in our room was not fully reliable. But since everything else was perfect, so it didn’t bother us much.

Well placed in the centre of Campo nell'Elba, this hotel is simple and a bit dated, but very clean and very friendly staff. Open all year round, I would certainly reccomend for a stay

The location,. It's in the center and also super close to the beach. It also has a private parking. The idea of the breakfast is genius , they allow you to prepare your lunch box and they also provide the containers. The lady who was wondering the night shift was amazing, very helpful and give us lots of tips for where to go.

The waiter was the worst, never said good morning or hi. I use a wheelchair and one day flipped backwards to enter the hotel because there's a little step and he came, opened the door and left without asking if I was hurt nor helped to get back up. I couldn't charge the wheelchair in the bedroom because there weren't enough sockets, so I had to leave it downstairs at the reception. Thanks God I still walk, otherwise I had to choose between charging the chair or the phone. They sell you breakfast as abundant, I would say it's just about fine and if you dare to ask for more (for the cured meats) then you get told that you already had your portion. Lots of fruit though.