Balconi sul mare

This is a clean, reasonably priced place to sleep, though I'd call it a B&B rather than a hotel. The room was modern, well equipped and clean, but tiny. Breakfast was very good, and the two women serving it were kind and professional. Parking is VERY difficult, and the walk to the historic town is about 1.5-2 miles each way. Hot water failed on our first day. We reached someone by WhatsApp, who said it would be fixed within an hour. It mostly was, then failed again and needed another repair. Beyond the breakfast staff, there was nobody around to answer questions. Communication was the main problem. If you don't have a smartphone, or its battery is dead or the phone is broken, I don't see how you can manage your stay even after paying. Check-in is a video explaining how to get the keys from a mailbox outside, followed by lots of stairs with your luggage. The messages and emails are in Italian, so be ready to use Google Translate. This place feels like a sign of today's world, where technology rules and human contact is limited. I don't like being negative because people work hard to earn a living, but it's a strange setup. Millennials might like it, but I don't. One more thing: my wife posted a similar review on Book…com, and the reply said she should be ashamed for lying and stay home. That says enough to me. Maybe that person shouldn't work in hospitality. I wish them well, but I'd have to think hard before staying again.

We waited an hour and a half at Balconi sul Mare before a man arrived, speaking with the hotel owners by phone. He said there was no booking under our name. Even with our confirmation, the hotel couldn't resolve it and only offered another room if we paid again. After 30 minutes of discussion, we booked somewhere else. Later that night, the hotel texted to say they had found our reservation after checking the system properly. We had already checked into another hotel and asked for a refund. They said they'd contact the travel agency to start it, but despite my repeated reminders, no refund has come through. The hotel also hasn't answered when the agency tried to reach them. No one was available at the hotel when we arrived, and we couldn't get anyone on the phone.

We had a relaxing stay in a peaceful part of Otrento. The staff were very friendly, and the facilities were great. Our room was spacious and very clean, and breakfast on the lovely terrace overlooking the Adriatic Sea was superb.

Way too expensive for what you get. Everything was basic, and breakfast was a disaster. It felt like a youth hostel.