Hotel Gabriella

The sea is beautiful, but that’s hardly the hotel’s doing. What a pity, because the property itself deserves a serious upgrade. We chose it for the quiet, well-kept setting and excellent location, which were exactly right for us, but the glowing reviews had really led us astray. Breakfast was adequate, and the lunch buffet was probably the better option, with its wider choice and set menu. Dinner was another matter. The food was embarrassing for a place rated two stars: the cook seemed unable to bring out the flavor of even a basic garlic or onion sauté, and the pasta was often undercooked rather than properly al dente. In Italy, especially in the south, that’s hard to forgive. The menu mentioned that some items might be frozen, but everything seemed to be, and we never had fresh fish despite being by the sea. The management was nowhere to be found when concerns came up. The very kind, helpful receptionists and waiters were left to handle complaints, though they had no answers. The beach shuttle, on the other hand, was excellent, frequent and punctual. We later found that booking directly with the lido would have cost less than the “agreed” rate quoted to us when booking, which was odd.

The staff were warm and friendly throughout, from manager Marta to the chef, his assistants, the waiters and everyone else. We ate really well. The beaches are lovely, and the hotel makes a great base for visiting Salento. We had a wonderful stay and would gladly recommend it.

My family and I spent three days here, from July 8th to 10th, and came away feeling completely relaxed. We’re already looking forward to coming back soon.

Marta deserves a special mention as such an important part of the property. We ate very well, and there was plenty of food at every meal, from breakfast through dinner. The rooms were comfortable and spotless, with care taken over even the little details. It’s a lovely place for adults and children, surrounded by greenery. We hated having to leave, but we’ll definitely see you again.