Pietramare Luxury suites

The garden was well kept, which was the one real positive for us. The rest of the stay was a letdown, especially for the price. Of the five hotels we stayed in over two weeks in Italy, this was easily the worst, and a disappointing way to end the trip. The reception felt unfriendly from the beginning. The receptionist seemed focused on problems instead of finding solutions. We asked if we could arrive a little early and wait by the pool without going into our room, but then found out the pool was closed until June 1st. Booking.com did mention this in tiny print at the very bottom, but most of the photos there showed the pool, and our confirmation actually said “room with private pool.” It needs to be made much clearer. Our room wasn’t clean. There were hairs in the shower and on the towels, dust in the corners, and scratches all over the walls from suitcases. It looked like it hadn’t been properly painted in a long time. The confirmation also promised a “room with Garden view.” The photos can speak for themselves. Breakfast was disappointing too. There wasn’t much choice, the juice tasted more like Fanta than fresh fruit juice, and the croissants seemed past their best. It was served only until 9 a.m., which felt very early on vacation. There was very little communication with the receptionist beyond paying the tourist tax. No one asked about our trip when we arrived or how the hotel had been when we left. We felt like we had to work around the receptionist’s needs, while sorting out problems ourselves. Customer service didn’t seem to be there. The hotel is outside Bari’s center, as we knew before booking, but there’s hardly anything within walking distance where we felt safe. It’s mostly a busy road, with nowhere pleasant to walk, so we had to use the car to get around. We asked to check out an hour later, but were told that wasn’t possible because the room had already been booked again. We stayed on the property for another hour anyway and didn’t see anyone cleaning or getting the room ready for new guests, so the later checkout didn’t seem like it would have made much difference. In the morning, the cleaners knocked very hard on the door. There didn’t seem to be a “do not disturb” card system. One night, when we got back around 1 a.m., the door code didn’t work and we couldn’t get into our room. Luckily the receptionist was still awake and reset it. Otherwise, we would literally have had to sleep in the car.

The room was warm when I stayed in October, and it was clean. There’s a small fridge and electric kettle, plus a capsule coffee machine, though you need to bring your own capsules. You can borrow cups, plates, and cutlery from the cafeteria. The host was so kind and helpful, and the place has a lovely atmosphere. Breakfast was fantastic, with something for everyone.

It was so easy to get around from here, with a bus stop right outside and local attractions nearby, while the property itself is in a quiet spot. I liked having both the peace and the option to explore. The pool was a highlight: clean, a good size for a refreshing swim, and still intimate enough to feel welcoming. The loungers and umbrellas made it easy to relax in the sun. The rooms were spacious and had the right amenities, and I especially liked the bathtub and how clean everything was. Staff were very courteous and helpful, and I felt looked after throughout my stay. A wonderful place for a relaxing break. I’d happily come back.

Awful stay. There was no personal contact at all, and the only nice people were the cleaning staff. It’s beside a nightclub, so loud music carried on late into the night, and the soundproofing was poor. Breakfast was dreadful too, all pre-packaged. Avoid it.