Capovaticano Resort Thalasso Spa

The rooms are comfortable, but the service was awful. I booked 10 days and paid for a sea view, yet got a side-view room instead. That felt completely dishonest. I later added 4 days, then had to ask for a refund when I could no longer stay, but they said they don't give refunds. I lost almost 1,000 euros on this booking, and nobody had mentioned the cancellation policy when I reserved. The situation was unfair. The manager never came to speak with me, and the receptionist couldn't tell me the manager's name so I could talk to him. Maybe he's God.

The setting is hard to beat: the sea views are unforgettable, the location feels magical, and the whole place looks like a postcard. The rooms were spotless, the gardens full of colorful flowers, and the atmosphere peaceful and luxurious. I also loved the spa, the gym exceeded my expectations, and the pool area was immaculate with plenty of room to relax. It’s a shame the management and service don’t live up to those surroundings. At the beach, only guests in the priciest suites or presidential rooms get the front row loungers with mattresses. Everyone else is put in the second row without padding, or can pay €50 a day for a mattress. They only provide one towel, so another one for the beach or drying off costs extra, and an extra towel is €2.50. Breakfast was one of the worst hotel breakfasts I’ve seen, with very poor quality and little variety. I rarely complain, but with my gluten intolerance there was almost nothing I could eat apart from a small, dry gluten-free bun. Bring snacks from home. The beach restaurant was disappointing too, with overpriced, very mediocre food. For a hotel of this level, the chef should be urgently replaced. Luckily there are lovely local places just outside the resort serving authentic Italian food with a much better vibe. This was my first trip to Italy, and I regret booking a whole week here. The beautiful grounds made some of the frustrations easier to bear, but I won't return. I can afford a good holiday and expect good service, and this resort didn't deliver. I hope they improve, because the place has a lot of potential.

The best part of this visit was Mantineo. The restaurant staff were outstanding and did everything they could to make our meals enjoyable. We'd had an unforgettable stay at Capo Vaticano Thalasso two years ago, so we came back with high hopes. This time, the little thoughtful touches were gone. Nobody helped when we arrived with our luggage, and they didn't acknowledge us as returning guests. There was no welcome drink after the long trip either. Those may seem like small things, but they helped make the first visit feel warm and welcoming. Communication was poor throughout, and the attention to detail we remembered was missing. The property is still beautiful, though it shows wear. A new coat of paint would help, and the cracked floor tiles in our room could easily be replaced. Compared with the excellent stay we had before, this visit was disappointing, especially for the premium price. The difference was hard to ignore. Hopefully this was just an off visit and not how things are now.

The scenery is beautiful, the food was excellent, and the staff were friendly and really helpful. It’s a wonderful place. The only downside is that there isn’t much going on nearby, and the train station is quite a hike.