Futura Club Eleamare

The resort’s best feature for us was how compact it is. The sea, pool, paddle court, soccer field, restaurant, and reception are all close together, unlike huge resorts where you have to walk hundreds of meters. With my four-year-old boy and two-year-old girl, I felt comfortable with the layout. It’s right on the sea, and I highly recommend it based on my experience. There was a small issue with our room location when we arrived, but Mrs. Monica quickly connected me with the manager, Melchiorre, who sorted it out in under five minutes. I respect him a lot, he’s always there for me. The sea was very clean in the last week of August, though sometimes rough. The food was decent and there was always plenty available. Housekeeping deserves top marks, and the well-prepared entertainment crew kept us laughing with their evening shows. Raffaele, you’re top notch. The sunsets are hard to describe, and around 6:30 PM everyone gathers to enjoy the atmosphere and the soft music Elea Mare plays.

The restaurant food was reasonably good, but the beach is a major disappointment. Online photos show a wide beach with five rows of loungers, while in reality there are only three closely packed rows on a slope. Sunbathing is awkward because you slide down, and it’s hard to find shade as the sun moves. When the sea is rough they sometimes remove a row, so even a paid first-row spot may not be usable. There’s no way to get a third lounger for groups of more than two, even for a fee. The private beach isn’t cleaned either, so things washed up overnight and trash left by guests can remain for days. Lifeguards often smoke and look at their phones instead of watching the beach, with cigarette butts scattered around their chairs. Yet people talk about protecting the beach. At 6:30 pm they also come to close your umbrella, which makes you feel unwelcome while you’re still there. I met many guests who chose the place for its seaside location and were very disappointed. I’m surprised these issues aren’t mentioned more, since the beach is at least half the reason to stay. The property seems aimed almost entirely at families with children aged 0-6, but I don’t think it’s fair to let children run around the restaurant: someone carrying hot coffee or pasta could trip and get permanently burned. Rooms are a reasonable size, though the closets are small and we had to leave things in our suitcases. Some rooms cost extra for a sea view, but may be on the ground floor where everyone walks past, and a tall hedge in front of some blocks the view. A lot of what’s advertised isn’t how it appears.

You can leave your car in the large enclosed parking area and have everything taken care of. The complex has hotel and beach services, professional and courteous staff, and lots for families: a large pool for adults and children, green recreation areas, and entertainment that’s consistently there and very good. There are soccer, paddle tennis, and volleyball courts, plus a fully equipped outdoor gym. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are buffet style with plenty of choice, and the cuisine is excellent. It’s a well-equipped place for a full vacation, especially for families.

We chose this place for a second year because it’s convenient with our two young children, and we stayed for 15 wonderful days. The facility is new, very clean, and clearly focused on looking after guests. Thanks to everyone, from the manager and maitre d’ to the waitress, Luigia from the bottle service, and the entertainers. They knew how to involve and entertain us, staying present without being intrusive. They were great, and this year they deserve an extra star.