Palazzo Mulini

The old town is all very close by from this hotel at its outer edge. The downside if you’re driving is that finding a free street parking spot nearby can be challenging. We can recommend the place overall. Our room was spacious, with a roomy bathroom, good beds, a good shower, and a little kitchen. It could use better upkeep, though: the socket by the bed didn’t work, nor did the bathroom mirror light. Another light broke the first night, so we moved a standing lamp into the bathroom. There was no staff at the front desk over the weekend, but I reached them through the booking app and the problem was fixed the next day.

The location right in the center was the best part, and Monopoli itself is stunning. Communication on WhatsApp was okay, though we never spoke to anyone directly. Check-in and checkout were handled through a few instructions. We stayed two nights and mostly had a good time, and everything else was fine. But the room at Mulini had issues: the bathroom lights didn’t work and flickered, it was almost unbearably hot even with the AC on, and a hallway light shone into the room all night. For that price, it’s a little questionable.

We spent six nights at Palazzo Mulini, in a room with an excellent view and a prime spot by the beach. We had no trouble with the air conditioning and no smell to complain about, which I assume came from the spa below the hotel. Breakfast was disappointing. The online ordering system is hard to navigate and it’s easy to mistakenly pay more. The café was shabby and not what I’d expect from a “luxury” stay. Frizz Café is a good alternative.

We stayed six nights in hot weather. The AC wasn’t strong enough, so opening things for natural light or ventilation would make the room feel like a sauna. There was barely any closet space for two people, and no elevator, so we had to carry luggage up three floors. The website does say there’s no elevator. Parking is also a problem: there’s none provided, and finding a spot on Monopoli’s streets can be difficult. Some small improvements would help justify the fairly high price, though the place worked for us. The location was superb, just inside the old town and 50 meters from the beach. Staff were friendly and very responsive. Breakfast was included but had to be ordered the night before. We had a private rooftop balcony with a jacuzzi. It was quiet and clean, and cooking equipment was available, including a hot plate, dishes, and utensils.