Tenuta Negroamaro

After our wedding in Puglia, we spent five nights here in June for our minimoon. It’s hard to write this because the property gets a lot right. The pool suite was beautiful, with a lovely outdoor area and daily housekeeping. They topped up the coffee pods and water each day, and we enjoyed exploring the large grounds, seeing the animals, and using the gym. The whole place has a wonderful slow-living feel, which was just what we wanted after London and the wedding. Breakfast had lots of choice, including omelettes cooked to order, and the staff were friendly throughout. The trouble started on arrival day. The hotel tried to take payment in advance even though Hotels.com said we’d pay at the property, then cancelled our booking. That caused a lot of stress as we were checking out of our wedding venue, though thankfully we managed to rebook. As people who really enjoy food, we had high hopes based on earlier reviews. The menu was limited, lunch and dinner stayed the same the whole time, and ice cream was the only dessert. The food wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either, especially for the prices. We found much better food nearby for a fraction of the cost. The lavender and edible flowers made the plates look nice, but didn’t make up for the taste. Wedges came with almost every meal and were always undercooked, hard, and oily. The fish barbecue evening cost €80 per person without drinks. They forgot our starters, so it became two courses instead of three, and three of the four fish were overcooked. The calamari and octopus were especially rubbery. Ice cream was dessert again, though we don’t have a sweet tooth, so that part didn’t bother us. We were also disappointed that our honeymoon wasn’t really acknowledged, even though we mentioned it several times. At £500 a night, we expected at least a note. On our last night, we were offered a glass of wine, then charged for it later. They eventually corrected the bill after some back and forth, but it left a sour taste. After we’d paid and checked out, they WhatsApped us saying they’d forgotten to add something, which was hard to check given how the bill was itemized. A proper POS system might help. Only then did they acknowledge the barbecue hadn’t been up to scratch or address the honeymoon drinks, even though we’d raised those issues earlier. Being asked to make an international bank transfer when we weren’t fully happy didn’t sit well. The accommodation is wonderful, the setting peaceful, and the service from the friendly staff was excellent. But the booking stress, food that didn’t match its price, and lack of a special honeymoon acknowledgement took away from what should have been an unforgettable stay. I hope the feedback is useful, because the place has a lot of potential.

We were so happy with our six-night stay. The staff gave us a warm welcome, and our cozy, spotless room looked out over gardens and olive trees. Breakfast was a treat each morning, with fresh fruit, pastries, and omelettes made to order. We also loved the delicious, romantic dinners at the estate restaurant. The peaceful countryside and attentive service make this a lovely choice for couples who want comfort and charm. We can’t wait to come back, and we’ll gladly recommend it to friends.

We spent four lovely nights here, enjoying the Garden Suite’s big outdoor living area, which we made good use of. There was an outdoor shower beside an olive tree and a swinging couch. It felt dreamy. The main area with the pool and restaurant was gorgeous too, and we were happy to lounge by the pool and grab drinks at the bar. The hotel is only 10 minutes from Gallipoli but sits in peaceful countryside. We don’t usually choose five-star hotels, preferring places with a boutique feel and something unique. This had that character, while still feeling comfortable and warmly run. We also had dinner here twice and thought the food was delicious.

The kids loved the pool, while we enjoyed the quiet atmosphere and comfortable rooms. The staff were so friendly and made sure we had a great time. Breakfast had a lovely selection of fruit and pastries, and we had an amazing meal with Chef Mario. We had an exceptional stay with the family and will definitely return.