Hotel Ara Solis

The rooms were clean, and the air conditioning was comfortable for sleeping, but there were several problems: holes in the walls, water damage, and missing shower doors. We also found the food basic and not very warm. Dinner costs €30 per person without all-inclusive, which didn't feel worth it. With no car, there aren't other places to eat within walking distance, so we took the bus into town for a great steak dinner at €25, which was much better value. We booked a relaxing holiday, but the hotel turned out to be part of AH’s « Family Village » offering, something Booking hadn't made clear. There was loud music from the same Spotify playlist all day, plus a microphone that could have been turned down by half and still been heard across Taranto. Karaoke went on until 11:30 PM every night, with the music and guests' off-key singing turned all the way up. It came through closed doors and windows, even on the third floor, as if it were in our room. I couldn't sleep. If you want a calm, peaceful break, this isn't the place. The staff didn't seem very friendly and seemed to look after Italian-speaking guests more than everyone else. The pool requires a swim cap, leaving the beach as the other option. It was very dirty, and the hotel's lifeguard wouldn't set out beach chairs and umbrellas for us because we weren't Italian. If you have children, you might consider it, though the blaring pool music could deafen them. And if you don't speak Italian, I'd look elsewhere for friendlier service. The manager should turn the volume way down before presenting the hotel as an oasis or holiday retreat. A party with bad music should cost half as much. If that isn't the holiday you're after, stay away, especially if you're not Italian or have children.