Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel

The staff were exceptional throughout, from the front desk to the beach and breakfast teams. They were attentive, kind, and polite. We also took the hotel shuttle to dine at the Grotto in Polignano a Mare center, and that meal and outing were fantastic. I was surprised there was no fitness room with cardio equipment or weights. Since the hotel is fairly remote, one would have been nice, though it wasn’t a major issue. The room situation was the reason I wouldn’t give five stars. On the first night, our second-level suite stayed at 28.8 C or higher, and it was so hot and humid we barely slept. We loved how large and attractive it was, with a lovely terrace, sun loungers and chairs, an enormous bathroom, a huge walk-in shower, a double sink, and Bulgari hair and body products. After we complained the next morning, they moved us to a plain ground-floor room. It had no view or outdoor space and felt average, a huge letdown. The air conditioning worked better there but never got below 25 C, which was still uncomfortable for us. The Manager on Duty kindly made an accommodation at checkout. If warm, sticky rooms make it hard for you to sleep, especially in summer, check reviews and ask the hotel directly how well the air conditioning works.

For our 15th anniversary we stayed in a suite with a jacuzzi on the terrace, which was lovely. The rooms are nice, but the cleaning and upkeep need improvement. I wouldn’t recommend the hotel at its current price, and I’ve stayed at better five-star places. I don’t understand the five-star rating. There’s no pool, spa, or bar, and the restaurant has limited choices. The so-called private beach is a small spot shared with another hotel, so it got chaotic and noisy at times.

The service made the stay for me. The staff were gracious, accommodating, and quick to respond, always with a genuine smile. My room had luxurious furnishings, a comfortable bed, and a balcony with a panoramic sea view. The spa and fine dining restaurant were exceptional, and the whole place felt attentive to detail. The beachfront setting in Italy was breathtaking. I loved the sound of the waves and the sunset from the room, and there was pristine private access to the beach. It’s a beautiful place for a romantic break or a quiet retreat. The elegance and views captivated me as soon as I arrived. I can’t wait to return. Five stars hardly covers it, it felt like a world-class experience beyond expectations. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The property is lovely, but our room felt bare and had very few amenities. It was in a courtyard beside the parking lot, with no terrace and only two windows facing the reception area. I was also shocked that beach service cost an extra 200 euros on top of what we’d paid for accommodation. That wasn’t what I expected from the five-star Grotta Palazzese beach property. There was no shuttle into town, and cars can’t access town from June to September. Very disappointing.