Hotel Sollievo

The food was delicious, with a typical Italian breakfast and dinner. In the morning there were sweet croissants with jam, and you could ask for extra cheese and cold cuts. The staff were really friendly, and there's a bar at reception with hot and cold drinks for a fee. It's a modest hotel close to the Sanctuary of St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo. Rooms are spacious, nicely equipped, and air-conditioned. The lift only goes up to the third floor, though, so guests on the fourth have to carry their luggage up the stairs. Wi-Fi is free for guests, but doesn't reach the fourth floor. We'd highly recommend the place to pilgrims.

Breakfast was very poor, and lunch and dinner were best left unmentioned. The waiters would take your plate before you had finished eating. Being close to the sanctuary was the best part. After we arrived, they moved us to another address halfway down a very steep slope, and we had to drag our luggage there. That was really uncomfortable for anyone with mobility problems.

The only real plus is the location, about 100 meters from the Sanctuary and the church of Padre Pio. The room was cold. I asked for the air-conditioning remote to get some heat, but was told it didn't work and that the radiators had been turned on, which wasn't true. There are no outlets by the bed, so charging a phone means doing it almost in the bathroom, and you'd have to get out of bed if it rang. The bathroom needs updating badly. The shower leaks between the stall and the wall, its doors don't close, the toilet seat is broken, the outlet is coming away from the wall, and the sink is clogged. The TV only gets two or three Mediaset channels. Breakfast was all wrapped food, and the coffee and cappuccino came from a dispenser. In my opinion, this place doesn't deserve its 3-star rating.

I was there for two nights with my son, half board the first night and full board the next day. They welcomed us well, but the staff were disappointing. Mr. Giovanni kept rushing us, taking plates away before we'd finished. He did that every time, as if he wanted to get rid of us. There wasn't much choice at breakfast, and the meals were nearly the same each time. There was a small change to one first course, but the second course stayed the same. We paid a lot, and the service wasn't worth it. I don't recommend the place and won't return. Having a waiter clear your plate while you're still eating is awful.