Martina Franca Holidays

Overall, our stay was pleasant. We were very close to the Shrine of St Padre Pio. My only gripe - or at least you should be aware of - is that the AC wasn’t working. It was due to the fact that they don’t really turn on AC until peak summers. The room’s climate was okay as long as you leave the windows open. Breakfast was good and staff were friendly. Also, don’t expect to get the typical hotel towels. They provide towels but are pretty thin. They do have a blow dryer in case you need help in drying yourself off quicker. I would stay here again given their competitive rates. Parking was easy and everything is within walking distance.

The hotel is fairly clean, but overall it feels very old. The bathroom especially needs renovation — the sink gets clogged, and the toilet is placed right in front of the bidet so you bump your knees. The shower is also outdated. Wi-Fi is available only at the reception, not in the rooms, which is very inconvenient. The rooms themselves are decent in size, but the mattresses are terrible and really uncomfortable. We wouldn’t stay here a second time.

The hotel is in a very good location, walking distance (10-15mins) from the main square with shops, restaurants and a grocery shop. The hotel is in a beautiful scenery, up on the top of the island, with complimentary (free for guests of the hotel) frequent and very convenient shuttle transport from and to the port and a small beautiful sandy beach nearby (Cala Arene). The hotel also have sunbeds by the amazing rocky beach called Cala Tramontana, from where we enjoyed a fantastic sunset. There is also a small bar nearby overlooking the sea. The hotel personnel was exceptional, very helpful, polite and professional at all times. 5 stars to all of them! Food and drinks at the hotel pool bar and restaurant were of high quality, but also too high price, so 4 stars, I’m afraid. Cleaning of rooms and communal areas, 4 stars too! Not perfect but good enough. Only one point I cannot give more than 3 stars, it’s the decor of hotel rooms and interiors. It is very outdated, wore and tired. The hotel would benefit greatly of fairly easy and economical upgrading such as a new carpet (the existing is extremely tired and badly stained), and internal redecoration of walls. Room furniture is functional and sturdy but old looking. It doesn’t need replacing it, but a new colour paint would do wonders, in my view! In all fairness though, it seems that most of the other hotels and restaurants in the island are in the same outdated conditions. So it’s a common issue in the whole island.

Close to Father Pio Shrine and accessible to public transportation