Note: This is a fictional, first-person review written for storytelling.
First look, then a deep breath
I showed up at Hotel Villa Fortuna on a cool October afternoon. My carry-on was dusty. My shoulders were tight. The little gate clicked, and then I stepped into a quiet courtyard with a lemon tree and a soft splash from a tiny fountain. You know what? I felt my jaw unclench.
If you’d like the bigger back-story on the property, the official overview of Hotel Villa Fortuna lays out the details behind its “small wins” philosophy.
Check-in took about three minutes. I’d booked directly on the Fortune Hotel website, so there were no third-party surprises at the desk. Mira at the desk smiled like we were old friends. She slid me a paper map and drew a big loop with a pen. “Walk this way at sunset,” she said. “It’s safe and pretty.” She offered a glass of lemon water. Simple. Cold. Perfect.
The room: small, neat, and smarter than it looks
I had Room 203. Double bed. Small balcony over the courtyard. Two chairs fit out there if you don’t mind sitting close. The AC hummed but didn’t whine. I set it to 21°C and let it run while I rinsed my face.
The compact footprint actually reminded me of my stay at another pint-sized yet perfectly placed spot in Istanbul; space is tight, but every inch works hard.
The Wi-Fi surprised me. I ran a quick speed test on my phone: 58 Mbps down, 19 up on the 5 GHz network. I sent photos to my mom in under a minute. No drama. The TV was basic, but I didn’t come to watch cable. Two free outlets by the bed and a single USB-A port on the lamp. That little thing mattered at 10 pm when my power bank died.
The bed felt firm, but not like a board. Two pillows—one thick, one thin. The duvet ran warm, which I liked because nights were cool. The bathroom was tidy. Good water pressure. Hot water showed up after about 30 seconds each time. The shower door sealed well. No puddle marching across the floor. I’ve had that happen in other places. It’s not fun when your socks find it first.
Tiny gripe? The safe sat in the closet but wasn’t bolted down. I still used it for my passport. I just didn’t leave anything fancy in there.
Sleep: it’s mostly quiet, till it’s not
The courtyard is calm. Birds in the morning. In the evening, small talk from other guests. Not a problem. Street noise picked up on Saturday until about 11 pm. Light traffic, a scooter or two. I turned on the AC and the fan covered it. The blackout curtains did their job. I slept eight hours, which felt like a small miracle.
The door latch squeaked the first night. I mentioned it. Someone oiled it by noon the next day. Click. No squeak. Done.
Breakfast: simple food, kind service
Breakfast ran 7:30 to 10:00 in a bright room that opens to the courtyard. It’s not fancy, but it’s fresh. Eggs cooked to order. I asked for over-easy and got them just right on day two. Crisp edges. Soft yolk. Bread basket, butter, and two jams. The fig jam tasted like a sweet garden. Cheese and tomatoes with a bit of salt. Coffee came strong. A tad bitter, but the milk helped. If you’re into yogurt, they had plain tubs with honey on the side.
On the second morning, I heard the espresso machine hiss. The sound made me smile. I know that’s odd. But I like a little kitchen noise. It feels alive.
Location: easy walks, quick rides
You can walk to the old town in about 10 minutes if you stroll. I timed it. Nine minutes on my second try because I didn’t stop for photos. I always stop for photos. There’s a small grocery two blocks away. I grabbed water and a chocolate bar because I travel like a child.
The front desk booked me a taxi to the station for 15 euros. It arrived three minutes early. I also borrowed an umbrella on a rainy night. That small thing saved my shoes.
Staff moments that stuck with me
- Mira set up a late checkout for me till 12:30. No fee. It meant I could shower after my morning walk.
- Emir labeled a gluten-free roll for my friend, who met me for breakfast. He wrote her name on a sticky note. That detail mattered.
- When my key card stopped working, Ana reprogrammed it in 20 seconds. No eye roll. No lecture. Just fixed.
Kindness counts. It’s the “soft stuff,” but it keeps you coming back.
Little snags: not deal breakers, but real
- No elevator. My room sat up 30 stairs. I travel light, so it was fine. But if stairs are hard, ask for a ground floor room.
- Towels on day one were a bit thin. I asked for thicker ones and got them the next morning.
- The mini fridge hummed louder than I liked at midnight. I unplugged it while I slept. Plugged it back in during breakfast. My yogurt survived.
There’s no gym. Honestly, I didn’t miss it. I got my steps in on the river path.
Price check and value
I paid 82 euros per night in October. Breakfast and taxes included. That felt fair for the space, the service, and the location. If you’d like to see how fellow guests have rated their stays, recent feedback on Booking.com offers a balanced snapshot.
If you ever wonder how that stacks up against the ultra-luxury end of the spectrum, take a peek at this first-hand look at staying in 5-star hotels over in La Fortuna, Costa Rica for some illuminating contrast.
Laundry was offered at 12 euros per load. Same-day return by 6 pm. I handed over a pile of socks and a shirt with a coffee stain. It came back folded and clean. Stain gone. Victory.
Who would like it
- Couples who want quiet and a walkable base.
- Solo travelers who like friendly faces and a safe-feeling spot.
- Small friend groups who use a hotel as a launch pad.
Who might not? Big groups that need a lounge or folks who want a 24/7 bar scene. This place leans calm.
If, however, your idea of a perfect evening involves meeting new people for some no-strings fun after the sightseeing wraps up, you could explore FuckPal, a straightforward platform that connects adult travelers with like-minded locals for discreet, hassle-free meet-ups beyond the hotel courtyard. Likewise, travelers who find themselves passing through California’s East Bay and craving the same spontaneity might bookmark Backpage Oakley — it curates real-time personal ads in the Oakley area, giving you a quick, filterable snapshot of who’s out there and what they’re looking for.
Pros and cons, short and sweet
Pros
- Warm staff who actually help
- Strong Wi-Fi and handy outlets
- Cozy courtyard and easy walk to sights
- Hot shower with real water pressure
Cons
- No elevator, lots of steps
- Fridge hum if you’re a light sleeper
- Safe not bolted down
Tiny tips from a tired traveler
- Ask for a courtyard-facing room. It’s quieter.
- If you need silence, bring earplugs for Saturday nights.
- Grab the paper map at check-in. The hand-drawn route is better than your app.
- Request a kettle if you like tea at night. They found me one from the kitchen.
- If you care about pillows, ask for a second thin one. They had extras.
Final take
Hotel Villa Fortuna felt like a steady friend. Nothing showy. No big stage. Just small wins stacked together—good Wi-Fi, a hot shower, a note on a roll, a map with a loop, a fixed door latch. I checked out rested. That’s the whole point, right?
Would I stay again? Yeah. I’d ask for Room 203 in the fall, bring a sweater, and leave space in my bag for fig jam on the way home.