Vivosa Apulia Resort - All Inclusive

A lovely four-star hotel beside a nice beach. We were two English-speaking families, but our kids wouldn’t go to the kids club. Most of the staff didn’t speak English, and there weren’t any other kids for them to play with. Breakfast and lunch could have more choices, the wine could be better, and there could be more entertainment for adults.

The food was always good, and the beach was beautiful, with water sports easy to access. There was loads for the kids to do, and everyone we met was very nice. At lunchtime each day, they cooked pasta on the beach in a two-meter pan, with music and chanting, then served everyone a plate. We usually don’t return to the same area twice, but we’re thinking about coming back next year.

The beach and pools were lovely, and the kids really enjoyed them. We also liked the delicious food, the chilled water fountain near our room, and the kids club staff Giulia and Michele, who kept trying to involve our children in the activities. The baby dance nights were a hit too. The main restaurant and reception building was lovely, with extensive, manicured gardens full of aromatic herbs like rosemary and lavender. Our room, though, was cramped, and the bathroom was so narrow you could barely sit on the toilet. Since we were on the ground floor, we expected direct access to the garden and sunbeds, but an aggressive colony of ants was busy right outside our door. We called reception three or four times for help, but nothing was done, and we couldn’t even step outside without being bitten. The all-inclusive setup works well if you like to eat a lot. It was good overall, but the price was hard to justify.

The private beach was clean, with plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas to borrow whenever we wanted, plus refrigerators with water and drinks. The sea was warm, gentle and crystal clear, which made the July heat easier to bear. At the restaurant there was a varied menu with lots of seafood, fresh cheeses, vegetables and fruit. The confectioners were so welcoming when serving their delicious desserts. Perfetto!!! Hard to resist. The staff were polite and friendly, always smiling and greeting us. From 10 am to noon, children could spend time with goats, rabbits, turtles and birds, or go horseback riding. There were also tennis courts, table tennis, football fields and sports equipment to rent. Evenings had live music. All of that helped take our minds off the cramped room, which wasn’t very comfortable and needs updating. Daily cleaning and fresh linen made some of that discomfort easier. We came away with very warm, pleasant memories.