Marina Garden Hotel

For a bright and cheerful stay right in the heart of Marciana Marina, Marina Garden Hotel offers a family-run stay. The building is a three-story stucco complex with a traditional terra cotta tile roof and dark wood shutters. The entrance through the pebble-covered garden opens onto a courtyard of palm trees and geraniums provides -- it's a lovely welcome to the hotel's surprisingly spacious grounds, and the courtyard doubles as an outdoor patio where guests can dine alfresco. The lobby is spartan, but modern and airy. There's a small seating area with contemporary couches, and seaside-appropriate blues and sand tones dominate the space. The hotel also has a small bar and a simple, but light-filled restaurant. There are no elevators here, so guests with mobility issues may want to look elsewhere. Visitors most frequently include families and couples on holiday.

A few blocks from the marina and the city beach in the fishing port of Marciana Marina, the hotel sits on a street that receives a considerable amount of foot traffic both day and night. Bars and restaurants are plentiful within a few minutes' walk, and a grocery store is located across the street. Marciana Marina itself has a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and a popular weekly outdoor market, though its rocky, pebbly coastline is less suited to bathing than the sandy stretches of nearby Biodola. That said, the city beach is within a five-minute walk. The nearest ferry off of Elba Island is at Portoferraio, a half-hour drive from the hotel. The ferry port can be reached in about the same amount of time on the local bus, which stops a outside the hotel and also makes stops at beaches along the island's coast.

Rooms here are bright and cheerful. Are these the epitome of chic? No. But they are clean and comfy, if bare. The occasional decorative element is employed to spruce things up, such as the wall-mounted vinyl letters we saw in the Economy Double Room we visited. For the most part, though, white walls, wan overhead lighting, and plain bedspreads in hues like robin’s egg blue are the name of the game. Simple, dorm-style furniture and wicker pieces complete the look. Rooms are compact and all feature TVs (though many are old tube units), and some include mini-fridges and/or balconies. Air-conditioning is available in all rooms, though there's a fee for use. Only Superior Rooms have carpeting, along with sturdier and newer furniture. Each room also has an en-suite bathroom. They are tiny and have walk-in showers. Fixtures are more contemporary in higher category room bathrooms, and basic toiletries are provided. Some guests have reported noise from neighbors or from the street outside.

The hotel features a small, well-maintained outdoor pool, that sits within a handsome wood deck with a few lounge chairs. Full- and half-board meal options are available at the on-site restaurant, and a free buffet breakfast is served every day including hot and cold items plus the standard continental options. The hotel's courtyard terrace is available for guests looking for a place to relax, and meals can be taken outdoors as well. There is a bar for drinks throughout the day and a welcome drink is offered. The hotel can also provide laundry services and airport transfers for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's free on-site parking, but the lot has limited spaces.