Volito Hotel & Resort

The restaurant was a real highlight for me: the dishes were delicious and showed off local cooking, with the care and creativity of a chef’s kitchen. The hotel is clean and lovely, with plenty of southern charm, and felt like a glimpse of life at the heel of Italy. It also makes a handy base for day trips around Salento, with Otranto, Leuca, and Gallipoli within easy driving distance. The nearby public beach is about a 20-minute walk for a swim or snorkel, and Marina di San Giorgio, Felloniche Beach has crystal-clear water. Local wineries, olive oil tastings, and village markets are nice ways to get a feel for the area.

With a small baby, this felt just right for our family. There are beaches nearby with clear blue water, and the quality for the price seemed the fairest ever. The minimalist design also suited me: I loved the room interiors, pool area, and the hotel’s layout. It’s the kind of place you go to find some calm and properly relax.

I was hugely disappointed, and if I’d known what to expect, I would have booked an apartment instead. This is a residence, not a hotel, and for the lack of services an apartment would at least give you some privacy. Everyone has a patio, so there’s none here. The rooms are small and ugly, and there seems to be no care for guests. A couple’s bed shouldn’t be two single beds pushed together. For a four-star hotel, the service feels like a residence. It lists a restaurant and laundry, but there’s only breakfast, and that breakfast feels like a one-star hotel. There’s nothing to do, and no rural experience to speak of, unless you count the thin, starving cats wandering around. I’ve never stayed at a worse residence, and I wouldn’t recommend it even for free.

A real rural feel, and such a quiet, comfortable place to relax. The staff are very kind and helpful.