Le Cale D'Otranto Beach Resort

I had a rather disappointing experience at this hotel, and unfortunately, I would not recommend it nor return in the future. The stay was overpriced for what was offered, and the quality was below expectations. Additionally, paying extra for the all-inclusive package proved to be unnecessary due to the overall shortcomings of the offer and lower out of pocket prices (1.50 for coffee, 2.50 for cappuccino, 5 for prosecco, 6 for coctail). Considering the poor quality and service, opting for the all-inclusive package did not add any significant value to the experience.

Beach was nice, sea amazing, not too crowded at the end of August. But the nice setting won’t make up for everything else that was lacking.

**Room Issues:**

I specifically filtered for 4-star hotels on the booking website to avoid any potential problems, but this hotel was described as a 3-star superior, which it certainly was not. The standard was more akin to a 2-star guesthouse or hostel. The room's layout was strange and inconvenient, with steps leading down from the entrance, then up to the beds and two steps down to bathroom. This was particularly problematic at night when the floor was wet from a leaky shower, creating a slip hazard.

The furniture was extremely outdated, and the wardrobe was so battered that we chose to live out of our suitcase for the week. The safe was rusty and inoperable, posing a potential health hazard. Moreover, the plastic switches and flush were yellowed and aged. The phone to reception did not work, and the coffee and tea set consisted merely of a kettle and two instant coffee packets, which is completely unacceptable in Italy.

**Bathroom Woes:**

The bathroom was old and neglected. The fixtures were battered, the toilet seat did not stay in place, and the shower door wouldn’t close properly, causing the bathroom to flood every time it was used. Towels were changed daily but smelled of vinegar or an acidic cleaner. The bathroom shelf was covered in rust, and I even discovered a centipede during my stay.

**Common Area Concerns:**

The communal areas were unpleasant, particularly the single shared toilet near the bar, pool, and restaurant. Its door was decaying, and it fastened with a hook. The faucet was broken, requiring one to hold it to get water while trying to wash a single hand.

**Dining Experience:**

While the food itself was good, cleanliness was a recurring issue. Plates, cutlery, and cups were often not clean, and at each meal, there was always at least one item that needed swapping. Picking up cups at the coffee machine, I had to look for clean ones. When I pointed this out to a waitress in Italian, she simply shrugged and put the dirty ones back for other people to use.

**Beach Deception:**

The resort fails to deliver on its advertised three beaches. In reality, there are only two, if you count a small bay with sunbathing on a pier as a "beach." The third advertised beach was merely a rocky terrace with sun loungers, which the representative confirmed was technically meant to be a beach. This misleading advertising borders on deceptive.

**Environmental Concerns:**

The resort heavily relies on single-use plastics, from cups to yogurt spoons, without any recycling bins provided. Ultimately, everything ends up in landfills, though, given the cleanliness issues, this use of plastics was not entirely negative.

**Pool Entry Surprise:**

Guests should be informed in advance that swim caps are mandatory for pool entry, rather than finding out upon arrival and being told they can purchase one on-site.

In summary, what was promised was not delivered, both in terms of quality and environmental consciousness. My stay was fraught with inconveniences and disappointments, leading to my decision not to revisit nor recommend the establishment. There is no point in paying extra for an all-inclusive package when the fundamental offerings are lacking.

Very Disappointing – Not Worth the Hype or the Price
I stayed at Le Cale D'Otranto Beach Resort expecting a relaxing vacation in beautiful Puglia, but the experience was extremely disappointing.

The food was by far the worst I’ve had in the region – poor quality, badly prepared, and tasteless. During the day, the buffet area turns into a sauna, with no air circulation and food just sitting out in the heat. Completely unappetizing.

Wi-Fi is a joke – it only works near the front desk, making it impossible to stay connected elsewhere. For people like me who work in 24/7 support, even on vacation, this was a major issue.

The rooms are incredibly small and dark – more like caves than hotel rooms. The only natural light comes through the door. The mattress feels like sleeping on a pile of wooden crates, and the safe in the room was rusted and useless (see pictures ).

Communication with staff was another challenge – almost no one speaks English, which made basic requests frustrating. That said, this was a minor issue compared to everything else.

To top it all off, beach amenities are overpriced: €40 for a basic umbrella and two chairs, and a ridiculous €60 if you want the first row.

Overall, this place is seriously overrated, overpriced, and under-delivers on every front. Definitely not the relaxing Puglia beach experience I was hoping for. Would not recommend.

this resort is the worst I have stayed. The installation is very old fashion, not well maintained. the bedroom is pretty small, no window..there is small patio that lights the room. Decorarionis also terrible. I felt I was lockes and under claustrophobic mood.c
additonally there is continuous and annoying music that plays all day in the swimming pool.At night thre is music as well..I felt I was at the disco. there is no empathy for people who wants really rest. The music only stops at 1 am.
the restaurant is big the food is average however you feel you are in a fish market due to noise.
I really don't recommend it at all.
it is not a resort

it is a nightmare.

Lucila Oliveira - Brazil

Really nice place and the animation staff is excellent. Unfortunatelly after the bad experience of this years, won't be back in future. And I can't recommend this place to anyone who wish a relaxed holiday.