Dimora Dioniso

We didn’t stay in the room. My wife and I found another property after the owner said the other rooms were occupied when we asked to switch. We had paid upfront; she promised to refund part of the money, but never did. The room had a sewage smell, and the bathroom was squeezed into a corner. It was so cramped that we had to sit sideways on the toilet, about the size of an airplane toilet. The towels were very worn and grey rather than white. There was no phone signal, and the only window was a tiny one above the door, about 30/30 centimeters. One room’s door opened directly onto the sidewalk, something the room description hadn’t mentioned. We weren’t expecting a 5 star room when we booked, but arriving to this was a shock. If a dungeon is what you’re after, this is the place. So disappointing!

Polignano a mare is a pleasant town, but I’d tell people to avoid Dimora Dioniso. The room was dark and dingy, and I’m guessing it was converted from a garage or barn. It had no natural light, just a tiny high window above the front door. There’s no reception or waiting area. We waited outside in the scorching mid July sun from 12:00pm to 3:50pm, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees C. When the host eventually arrived, she said it wasn’t her fault and blamed Expedia. She also claimed she didn’t have my number, which was clearly on her paperwork. We’d called 24 hours before arriving, as she had requested, but she said she hadn’t been told about the call. The website promised a croissant, orange juice, coffee, milk and other breakfast items delivered between 8:00am and 9:00am. We’d paid for it, but no breakfast was ever provided. The host was rude, abusive, and deceptive. When we reported the damaged door handle, she thanked us sarcastically. The handle was detached from a rotted wooden door and held by two 16mm wood screws, very poorly maintained. The establishment claims to be a hotel, but it isn’t one; its licence is only for a B&B. Please look at our photos and decide for yourself. We felt deceived, and our stay was ruined.

We loved wandering through the streets of Poligano A Mare. It’s a beautiful place to visit, and our host was so helpful and kind. She greeted us with a lovely smile and breakfast in the morning. Very pleased with her.

Dimora Dioniso was a great choice for me. The staff were kind, and the apartment was nice, clean, and well equipped. The location was great too.