Beach Hotels in Apulia, Italy

I visited Polignano a Mare in April of 2023. The Hotel Covo Dei Saraceni was a great choice for my visit. The staff was professional, and communicative. The hotel was clean, and comfortab le. The bed was comfortable. I had a very nice view. I was on a bicycle trip, and was able to secure my bicycle in their garage overnight. The breakfast was fabulous. They offered a wide buffet selection of pastries, fruits, jusices; all of the things you get in a nice hotel. The breakfast room has a wonderful outlook. I had a good internet connection.

We needed a hotel near the airport. We had just arrived from the US and had all the documents regarding Covid available from the US including barcodes from the CDC. We arrived at 8 PM, and the clerk at the front desk denied us the room because she said we did not have an Italian green pass. The Italian barcode readers do not sync with the CDC barcodes. She told us that we had to go back to the airport, or a pharmacy to get a rapid test. She told us that this was the policy of the hotel. We were very upset and worried about our entire trip. In any case, all the pharmacies were closed, and we returned to the airport, and €70 later (40 for the tests, and 30 for the taxis) we came back to the hotel and she provided a room. After all that, the room was fairly mediocre, the bed uncomfortable, although the breakfast was OK. I do not recommend this hotel. We discovered later on that a test is not equivalent to a green pass. The staff at other hotels, realize that Americans do not have a green pass, and accepted documentation regarding vaccination status.

Sorry because the hotel is well located but the extremely noisy window on street at 1st floor on the main street with constant passing truck and scooter more face to a service station that makes tobacco and bar and all the parkings publics of the city in clear avoid this room number 11 except that correct litrie furniture a little dated, the room d’eau petite pas d’espace to deposit these toiletries and the shower cabine small bathroom did not have to do more 50x50 except all this personal service and professional, buffet breakfast very right . Parking possible just a few meters from the hotel partnership with Omar to leave his car the time of stay very correct price around €20 for 2 days

The Italian-style breakfast is good, with a wide variety of fruits. The breakfast is offered on the 6th floor, with an incomparable sea view. The location is also good. It's on the corner of the old town and the seaside. The hotel does not have a parking lot but provides a valet parking service, which costs 25 euros per night.

We have just returned from Riva after 7 nights. We stayed in a self catering apartment. There is no kettle or toaster. Boiling water on the stove but no grill pan as an alternative for making toast. We realised as soon as we arrived its in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing at all within walking distance. They asked were we hiring a car (around €250 for 3 days) but i declined as driving to Bari & back of an evening meant i couldnt have a drink. I go away to relax with a cocktail not drive everywhere :) The bus to giovinazza is 10-15 mins we had to do this when we needed a shop for bread/milk/water etc. The bus to Bari is 30 mins we had to do this each night to go out for our evening meal & drinks. There is an onsite pizzeria & restaurant which serves only fish. The hotel is lovely staff friendly & helpful (mostly) and the private beach made up for the fact it was so remote. It is stunning so we went to the beach each day (€5 each per day) We tried to go to the pool on day one but the lifeguard took our temperature (covid 19) and said “uh oh!” Apparently it was too high (also 30 degree sunshine) so we couldnt sit by the pool!! .. yet we went to the beach every day where our temperature wasnt high once. Mmm?? Prices in the hotel are very reasonable for food & drink. Fresh fruit & the berry slushes are gorgeous!! Overall we had a lovely stay but sadly its location is too far out having to get the bus every night also the last one at 10pm so couldnt enjoy our evening & stay out got a little tedious and would prevent me from going back again.

Very recommended to stay, cost-effective, the environment is very good. Beautiful environment, good geographical location, convenient transportation, comfortable and sanitary rooms, service staff are very enthusiastic, facilities are very humane, high-speed network signal is good, the view outside the window is good. The design of the room's small pendulum is also very distinctive. Next time, check in.

This was our second stay here as we enjoyed it previously before a long drive to San Pietro. The room 123 was great more like a suite which had a seaview. The breakfast was delicious with plenty of options to choose from, although a second cappuccino or freshly squeezed orange juice is charged extra. We requested ice and parking at the hotel is available at a cost. I think there is parking nearby which I think maybe free but was not sure.

This hotel is quite amazing! The staff cannot do enough for you, each and every one is incredibly helpful despite our dire lack of Italian! The pool is lovely and the whole peace and quiet is incredible, and I say that as a father of a family with two near teenage children! The suite is great for a family of four, probably wouldn’t want to be here for too long as there is no space aside from the two bedrooms but bathroom is huge! The gym is pretty underwhelming. The spa is quite cute. Food is nice but a little overpriced for what it is. Breakfast is fantastic, kids are happily doing a four course breakfast in the morning! Overall this is a proper boutique hotel with amazing staff and facilities and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for a short stay.

Stayed here for business for a couple of nights as part of a large group. It was not a great hotel and a lot of our group were unhappy with this property. It's a medium rise on the waterfront - the waterfront here is a working container port and what seems to be anItalian Navy port. Not what you generally think of when you say waterfront. The hotel checking was fine and the staff were nice. However...... Major renovations going on / one elevator working out of 2 and sometimes that one was an issue / really lacklustre breakfast options / swimming pool unusable. I can see why they're renovating - everything about this hotel seems old and dated - but you're not in a resort / holiday area. The room was an ok size, the wi-fi worked, but a bit slow. The room could be made nice and dark (good curtains) and the view of the bay was still a nice water view. There's many other old looking hotels all around this area and I don't thin this is the only one in this state of repair. There is a great Pizza place right across the road. The Old Town of Taranto is a 20min walk away and it's well worth is with great photo ops and plenty of bars / restaurants that seems to all be reasonably priced. Maybe this hotel will be OK when they finish renovations, but it's not in a very touristy area.

I visited Polignano a Mare in April of 2023. The Hotel Covo Dei Saraceni was a great choice for my visit. The staff was professional, and communicative. The hotel was clean, and comfortab le. The bed was comfortable. I had a very nice view. I was on a bicycle trip, and was able to secure my bicycle in their garage overnight. The breakfast was fabulous. They offered a wide buffet selection of pastries, fruits, jusices; all of the things you get in a nice hotel. The breakfast room has a wonderful outlook. I had a good internet connection.

We needed a hotel near the airport. We had just arrived from the US and had all the documents regarding Covid available from the US including barcodes from the CDC. We arrived at 8 PM, and the clerk at the front desk denied us the room because she said we did not have an Italian green pass. The Italian barcode readers do not sync with the CDC barcodes. She told us that we had to go back to the airport, or a pharmacy to get a rapid test. She told us that this was the policy of the hotel. We were very upset and worried about our entire trip. In any case, all the pharmacies were closed, and we returned to the airport, and €70 later (40 for the tests, and 30 for the taxis) we came back to the hotel and she provided a room. After all that, the room was fairly mediocre, the bed uncomfortable, although the breakfast was OK. I do not recommend this hotel. We discovered later on that a test is not equivalent to a green pass. The staff at other hotels, realize that Americans do not have a green pass, and accepted documentation regarding vaccination status.

The Italian-style breakfast is good, with a wide variety of fruits. The breakfast is offered on the 6th floor, with an incomparable sea view. The location is also good. It's on the corner of the old town and the seaside. The hotel does not have a parking lot but provides a valet parking service, which costs 25 euros per night.

We have just returned from Riva after 7 nights. We stayed in a self catering apartment. There is no kettle or toaster. Boiling water on the stove but no grill pan as an alternative for making toast. We realised as soon as we arrived its in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing at all within walking distance. They asked were we hiring a car (around €250 for 3 days) but i declined as driving to Bari & back of an evening meant i couldnt have a drink. I go away to relax with a cocktail not drive everywhere :) The bus to giovinazza is 10-15 mins we had to do this when we needed a shop for bread/milk/water etc. The bus to Bari is 30 mins we had to do this each night to go out for our evening meal & drinks. There is an onsite pizzeria & restaurant which serves only fish. The hotel is lovely staff friendly & helpful (mostly) and the private beach made up for the fact it was so remote. It is stunning so we went to the beach each day (€5 each per day) We tried to go to the pool on day one but the lifeguard took our temperature (covid 19) and said “uh oh!” Apparently it was too high (also 30 degree sunshine) so we couldnt sit by the pool!! .. yet we went to the beach every day where our temperature wasnt high once. Mmm?? Prices in the hotel are very reasonable for food & drink. Fresh fruit & the berry slushes are gorgeous!! Overall we had a lovely stay but sadly its location is too far out having to get the bus every night also the last one at 10pm so couldnt enjoy our evening & stay out got a little tedious and would prevent me from going back again.

Very recommended to stay, cost-effective, the environment is very good. Beautiful environment, good geographical location, convenient transportation, comfortable and sanitary rooms, service staff are very enthusiastic, facilities are very humane, high-speed network signal is good, the view outside the window is good. The design of the room's small pendulum is also very distinctive. Next time, check in.

Booked two deluxe rooms (one for single pax and the other for two pax) but was given two rooms of different sizes instead - not very impressed to say the least! Room decor has seen its better days to be honest! Plastic tables and chairs in the room for a 4-star property are pure cheapskates! Air conditioning still hasn’t been switched back on in late April when temperature already reaching low 20 Celsius! Had to stay and sleep in the room with window shut because of noisy disco noises nearby lasting beyond 2 am in the wee hours of Sunday morning ! Got ‘roasted and baked’ in the room with no ventilation as a result - not very ideal when covid is still raging! Still couldn’t understand why the hotel still insists on ‘no self-service’ for buffet breakfast - apparently in the name of covid! ‘Accidentally’ tried to pick up some breakfast items by myself on arrival as there was no sign on display stating the not-so-obvious ‘no self-service’ policy but was told off by one of 2 staff members on duty with plate being ‘snatched’ from my hands! The paradox being this practice caused long queue with only 2 staff members available to pick and dish out items for guests! Long queue and mass gathering of guests would not spread covid but picking up your own food with disinfected hands would apparently! Few ironic observations made though! The two specific staff members on food picking duty didn’t wear gloves at all when picking food with thongs for guests - is that even covid-safe??? One of the two members on that specific food picking duty went on to pick food for guests after clearing and cleaning up table with bare hands and then went over to do their food picking duty for other guests without washing or disinfecting their hands - covid safe I fear not??? If insisting on ‘no self-service’ policy, make sure you have sufficient staff to handle constant stream of guests coming in for breakfast! I was certainly being put off by either long queue or absent staff to help pick the food I wanted!

Nice hotel, great environment.

Sorry because the hotel is well located but the extremely noisy window on street at 1st floor on the main street with constant passing truck and scooter more face to a service station that makes tobacco and bar and all the parkings publics of the city in clear avoid this room number 11 except that correct litrie furniture a little dated, the room d’eau petite pas d’espace to deposit these toiletries and the shower cabine small bathroom did not have to do more 50x50 except all this personal service and professional, buffet breakfast very right . Parking possible just a few meters from the hotel partnership with Omar to leave his car the time of stay very correct price around €20 for 2 days

This hotel is quite amazing! The staff cannot do enough for you, each and every one is incredibly helpful despite our dire lack of Italian! The pool is lovely and the whole peace and quiet is incredible, and I say that as a father of a family with two near teenage children! The suite is great for a family of four, probably wouldn’t want to be here for too long as there is no space aside from the two bedrooms but bathroom is huge! The gym is pretty underwhelming. The spa is quite cute. Food is nice but a little overpriced for what it is. Breakfast is fantastic, kids are happily doing a four course breakfast in the morning! Overall this is a proper boutique hotel with amazing staff and facilities and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for a short stay.

We were so excited about our stay in Tenuta Centoporte, this was supposed to be the highlight of our trip as was by far the most expensive hotel of our two week stay in Puglia. We had booked to stay here for 6 nights and from all the pictures and Instagram it looked like a really luxury hotel with lots to offer. On arrival we were greeted by the receptionist who basically just gave us the keys and showed us to our room. There was no tour or friendly welcome or explanation of anything the hotel has to offer. Our room was fine and clean but quite dark as there are no windows, only the glass doors at the entrance. Apart from one or two of the staff, everyone who works here is miserable and unfriendly which is a shame, as we found everyone else in Puglia so nice and helpful. Sadly, this gave us quite negative vibes for our stay. The breakfast was awful. The menu is very odd whereby you either order a plate of sweet, savoury or “fresh”. The fresh consisted of dry muesli straight from a packet, a yoghurt (no choice of flavour) and a fruit bowl which was always 90% melon and watermelon. The cappuccino was really bad too, the coffee being bitter and the milk being uht milk, which is not something I would expect from a 4 star hotel. We noticed that the yogurt was from Eurospin (the cheapest Italian supermarket of unbranded products) and we can only assume that other produce like the juices was also from there, as it felt all very low quality. On the last day we asked for a freshly squeezed orange juice which we saw other tables had ordered, although it wasn’t on the menu. The waiter rolled his eyes and panicked. Same reaction when we asked if we could have ANY other fruit but melon/watermelon. It was clearly too much to ask of a 4 star hotel and didn’t make us want to try dinner at the same restaurant at all. Due to COVID-19 understandably there were certain time slots for breakfast namely 8, 8.45 and 9.30. One day we showed up 10 mins after our slot began and were very rudely asked if we knew what time it was, as we were late! We couldn’t believe the cheek! Then the next couple of days we had to wait 15mins before they even took our order and another 15mins before they brought us our croissant, fruit and yoghurt. Unfortunately the breakfast put us in a bad frame of mind every morning as it was just so disappointing. The marketing of this place is exceptional compared to what is delivered. It is extremely overpriced. The one real positive is the pool area which is very nice, however drinks at the bar are very expensive. We ordered two lemon soda which arrived in two half full paper coffee cups and cost €8! Had I not prepaid for our stay I would have checked out early and found somewhere else. If it wasn’t for the nice pool area and good location, we would be giving this hotel a 1star review. Overall we would really not recommend this place and will certainly not be back.

A wedding favor at the entrance to the historic center of Gallipoli. The location is excellent for those who want to move around the historic center on foot. We parked the car 5 minutes from here, near the port. The girls at the reception were very helpful, cheerful and professional. The hotel also has an agreement with the Bikini Beach Lido, with a free return shuttle service. I advise

We have just returned from a ten night stay at the hotel. Overall it was better than I was expecting due to some reviews. We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis and breakfast was basic with more choice of cakes and pastries than cheese and meats. The breakfast staff were not really pleasant at all. Not even a good morning welcome or smile from anyone except the girl who was usually on pastries. All the other staff were lovely and reception helped us when we had problems with trips booked with TUI. They didn’t inform us that they were not in English until we were at the resort! The pool was lovely and beach towels were provided. There was not much variety of food at the pool bar but what they had was nice. I did not like the design of the balconies at all. They are basically just an extension of the room with a large opening instead of a window. It was really like a cell and we didn’t use it at all. We paid extra for a superior room and the balcony and it wasn’t worth it. Not the hotel’s fault - just a design fault I believe. Otranto is beautiful and the hotel is only about 10-15 minutes walk or 10€ taxi ride. The hotel has lost a point for me due to breakfast and the staff and also the horrible balcony. The room and hotel were really very clean.

We were in the Epiphania period in this hotel with a group of 16 people. The hotel is in the new city, just a short distance from the historic center, in a comfortable position for everything. It is new, clean and well maintained, but the touch has given it the availability and sympathy of the staff, especially Sabrina, Maria Sole and Michela.

This was our second stay here as we enjoyed it previously before a long drive to San Pietro. The room 123 was great more like a suite which had a seaview. The breakfast was delicious with plenty of options to choose from, although a second cappuccino or freshly squeezed orange juice is charged extra. We requested ice and parking at the hotel is available at a cost. I think there is parking nearby which I think maybe free but was not sure.

Spacious and clean rooms beautiful dining room. Good food. But the strength point is availability, they helped us find a scooter and a taxi from and x the airport. They make you feel cocktailed and one of your family. They also have shadows x customers going to the free beach. There is a lung that brings and goes to take customers in a conventional beach. What to say super advised

Overall really enjoyed my trip here but a few major problems that were headaches. If the resort is able to address some of these it could be a truly amazing place. Pros: -Absolutely beautiful location with awesome beach and nice area to walk on either side. Multiple pools that were really nice as well (though I spent more time on the beach) -Very nice clean comfortable rooms -Yummy food with lots of options -Very close to the beach, the people complaining about the distance to the beach are insane it is a 3-5 minute walk or you can take the train if you really want. There is also a bar/coffee/washroom at the beach! Cons: -One very big problem, I have a nut allergy and it was extremely hard to navigate that here. Before travelling to Italy I had an Italian friend write out a card explaining that I have a nut allergy (because I don't ever want to go somewhere and expect people to speak my language) but only 1 of the servers cared about this. I reminded wait staff at every meal that I had the allergy but have several incidents where I was served a dish that contained nuts with 5 minutes of asked and receiving assurance there was no nuts. I had to argue with the staff several times asking them to please check that the dish was nut free (on 3 occasions it was not), this was very embarrassing and I don't ever want to be this person! -The ”Aqua Gym” group are very aggressive, if you are down at the beach you are not just encouraged to join whatever activity they are running, they will approach you multiple times/hour again and again, I started leaving the beach when they were coming to avoid harassment -As others have noted staff at the front desk are very rude, I thought this may have been a language barrier (fair enough my Italian is terrible) but I met a group of Italian guests while there that also complained about how rude they were. They were completely unwilling to help guide you at all or answer questions. -Wifi does not work in rooms, this was not very important to me but something to note -You are charged for a towel which seemed very odd to me (just to borrow a towel not to take or anything)

The stay was very relaxing and healed. The flower at the eye of this hotel are the boys at the reception. Very unique!!! The only thing that didn't work very well are the rooms a little “arranged” but for the rest everything excellent