Hotel Dei Messapi

The worst part was how the stay was handled. The owner was rude, slept in the room next to ours, and made a lot of noise during the hours he was resting. We had asked for a double room with air conditioning, but on arrival he changed our room and gave us one without air conditioning at the same price. Staff were nowhere to be seen, and the owner asked for cash when we paid. The hot shower water was only turned on at 5:00 PM, so before then it was freezing and we couldn’t shower. We’ve booked holidays at Hotel Messapi for a few years, but it’s gotten worse over the last two or three years. I don’t recommend it.

Good value for money, with clean rooms, a quiet atmosphere, welcoming staff, plenty of parking, and a fabulous restaurant and pizzeria. It suits anyone after a relaxed, family-friendly stay at a reasonable price. Evenings are very quiet here, but you come for a rest, not a party. For more nightlife, Otranto is a few kilometers away and has a completely different scene.

The breakfast was very limited, just croissants and toast, and the owner often switched off the elevator to save energy. The staff aren’t suited to dealing with guests. This feels like a 2-star hotel, not a 3-star one. Never again!

The basil pizza with almonds was excellent, and the food was good overall. There’s also a pizzeria and plenty of parking. I stayed during the low season for work, and the rooms and common areas were clean. The location worked well for visiting the towns around Salento, and the management was friendly and accommodating with my work needs.