Hotel Profumo di Mare

The location made it easy to enjoy Otranto, with the sea right there and the charming, lively historic centre only a few metres away. Our room was recently renovated, spacious, very clean, and had all the amenities we needed. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom was roomy too. Everyone working at the hotel was exceptionally friendly, and I fell in love with their warm hospitality. Breakfast was good as well, and I’ll definitely return and stay here again. We also ate at the restaurant, where the Pugliese dishes were delicious and the seafood tasted wonderfully fresh, as if it had just come from the sea. Service was excellent: the waiters were friendly and knew their jobs. The prices were good for the quality. Highly recommended.

I loved falling asleep with the windows open to the sound of the waves, and waking up to that sunset view from bed was incredible. The place sits right by Otranto’s main beach, between the old town on the eastern peninsula and the lighthouse on the western one. I visited in low season and had a great time. The owner kindly drove me to and from the train station and was patient when I kept changing my plans over and over. Comfortable room, great spot.

The hotel’s position overlooking the sea is fantastic, but I wouldn’t recommend staying here. Compared with the other three-star hotel we’d just stayed at in Santa Maria dei Lauca, there was no comparison. The staff were polite, though not especially friendly, and the whole place felt tired and shabby, even allowing for the end of the season. My husband has limited mobility, and the stair lights switched off before we could reach the top.

The room itself was clean and good, and the price was okay. The view rooms have a gorgeous setting, facing the wide sandy beach and sea, with the old town to the right and the corniche to the left. Still, three things let it down for me: the shower was tiny and broken, breakfast disappointed, and the welcome was rather rough.