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About
3.5
#11 of 14 hotels in Polignano a Mare
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel opened its doors in June 2020, after an important renovation work that has resulted in the classification of 5-star hotel. The hotel, located a few km from Polignano a Mare, is an enchanting oasis harmoniously set in a lush garden, which offers its guests an exclusive entrance to the private beach, awarded with the Blue Flag for the thirteenth consecutive year. The rooms, less than 20 meters from the sea, are equipped with all comforts to make your stay a moment of maximum relaxation. The elegance in the details and the style of the furnishings, with typically Mediterranean colors, create welcoming and unforgettable atmospheres. Spending your vacation in these rooms surrounded by greenery will transform your stay into a dream, made of unspoiled nature, greenery, relaxation, intimate harmony 2 steps from your private beach. The Deluxe rooms also have an outdoor patio with a view. A rich intercontinental breakfast is included in the price, guests can take advantage of half board or full board, to be tasted on the terraces outside our restaurant, which offer an enchanting view overlooking the sea.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Ocean View
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, German and 1 more
Location
S.S. 16 km. 832, No. 225/a Complanare Lato Mare, 70044, Polignano a Mare Italy
Name/address in local language
Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel
207 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Lovely hotel, exceptionally nice staff. Just a pointers when staying here. Ensure you tell a driver that you are staying at the Grotto Palazzese Beach hotel and not the Grotto Palazzese hotel. They are related but not in the same location. The Hotel is located directly above the famous Grotto Restaurant as where the Beach hotel is located approx 4 kms away. Also another point is that the Beach hotel charges you $200 euro to use their private beach for the day, something I have never come across before. As mentioned the staff are so lovely, we checked out early and they kindly gave us take-away breakfast. If you are heading the Cave Restaurant, what an experience, its was amazing!!!!!
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:To use the beach facilities is an extra cost of $200 euro
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For starters, there are two Grotta Palazzese hotels in Polignano a Mare. This is NOT the hotel IN the town with the cave restaurant. Many of the reviews here either meant to book that hotel and were upset (I mean that is your own stupidity for not researching or even just looking at a map..) OR they were writing a review on the hotel IN the city center with the cave restaurant. THIS IS NOT THE CAVE RESTAURANT HOTEL LOCATION. This is the other property. This is a very beautiful little beach hotel, perfect for couples or families just wanting to relax, stay on the beach, and maybe do some exploring. The beach is beautiful. The breakfast is wonderful. and the service was exceptional. It is 5 star service, despite what the reviews say. Also worth noting, the snacks and minibar in the room are INCLUDED (minus alcohol), replenished daily, and water bottles are served at the beach for free also. This is huge!! The room size is also not "tiny" as other reviews claimed. I had a double room and it is more than enough for 2 people. Obviously this person saying this has never been to Paris, Rome, Milan, or any other European city lol. The size is good.
HOWEVER. Things I wish I knew before booking: LOCATION- This hotel is about 12 minutes drive from the center of town. Which I did not mind, until I found out it is a 15euro tuk tuk ride into the town. So it is 30 euros round trip to go to the town. Very pricey. TIP: If you have a rental car, it is worth it, parking is free. PRICING- if you dont have a car, it makes eating on the property an even bigger problem. Do you pay 30 euros to go into town for lunch? OR pay 30 euros to eat a CLUB SANDWICH. Im not kidding. I almost wish I took a photo of the menu because I have stayed at many places in the world that are far more upscale than Polignano a Mare... and never paid these prices. Sodas were 10 euro, a liter of beer was 30 euro!!!! and the cheapest food item was a vegetarian poke bowl for 25 euro, which was terrible. While the next day I opted for the 30 euro club sandwich and it was very good... a club sandwich for that price is just laughable. Also the room service charge is 25 euro on top of these prices. TIP- again, if you have a car, eat elsewhere. WIFI- only available IN the rooms, so be mindful, you will not have service at the hotel beach or restaurant.
The service here is really exceptional though. From booking a taxi 1 hour prior to my arrival for me, meeting me outside to bring my luggage in, the service at the beach and breakfast. While I did not use the concierge, he did come to the beach to make dinner reservations and recommendations. It is 5 star service and if you have a car, want something relaxing with a nice soft sandy beach, traveling with family/couples, I do recommend.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:If you are planning to do excursions or go into the town, rent a car/scooter. Taxi is expensive.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were two couples who arrived here on a Sat night for two nights with a large wedding reception taking place. We had requested rooms in quiet area with views is possible. We told there were no view rooms, but that we would be in newly renovated rooms. We were in rooms 309 and 311. 311 was slightly larger, and windows faced the water. 309 had a door leading to outside balcony that was on highway side, and was affected by road noise. Both rooms had small windows and very little natural light. Both rooms were both newly renovated and were clean, well appointed and comfortable. Neither room was able to access the wi fi. We ate at the restaurant the first night. We had cod pieces that consisted of five small prices of cod, fried, with the skin on and were boney. We also had a cheese plate that was good. There were only two other people in the super brightly lit dining room. The breakfast served was good. The location was a bit remote which we wanted. We really don't have strong opinions about our stay either bad or good.
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Date of stay: October 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don’t book this hotel unless you have a car. This hotel is NOT located in Polignano a Mare. It is an isolated beach property located off the highway about 15 minutes north by car.There is nothing else near by. It does not have a restaurant or a bar. It does have a kitchen which offers dinner, breakfast or room service for a E25 charge. It looks deserted when you drive up. Maybe there were 6 guest cars. I’m not sure how it is rated a 5 star hotel. At best maybe it’s a 2.5 star.The room and bathroom in which we stayed was tiny. There was no chair in the room,probably because of no place for it.There was no Nespresso machine or kettle. The sink faucet didn’t produce hot water. Supposedly we got an upgrade so I would hate to imagine what I truly booked. The air con unit rattled with a grating metal noise. At night there are bright exterior lights that send glaring light into your room. A black out shade fails to block the light. There is not an ocean view from the room we had. I booked here believing I was booking at the Grotta Palazzese hotel in Polignano a Mare where I had a dinner reservation my second booked night. My hope was to have a good place to explore the Puglia region.I learned of my mistake when I arrived at the Hotel Grotta Palazzese and they did not have my reservation. I was told it was my booking mistake and I couldn’t cancel any of my reservation. It was such a big disappointment.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Avoid this hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Although the restaurant is in an increadible setting, the cost of food and drinks is even more increadible and quite truly the food in itself is very poor. I Would suggest that this restaurant lives of its name rather than the quality of his food which in my opinion was very poor.
Definitely worth a visit if you were to get a paddle boat and look from the sea.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have wanted to go to this restaurant for years and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. All the photos you see online...its better in person.
We parked in the car park and were driven to the restaurant's entrance and then were driven back to our car at the end of the evening.
The atmosphere was amazing. There was a live saxophone player. The food was delicious.
My tip:
Google what time the sunset is the day you go and arrive 30 mins before to be able to experience it.
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Arrive at least 30mins before sunset.
Make use of the free car park and ride service.
Be...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stunning hotel. We visited for my 55th birthday. The room was clean and beautifully decorated. The view - wow!!! It took our breath away. The staff could not have been more helpful or friendly. The area surrounding the hotel is well worth a visit as well. Lots of fun shops, quaint streets and yummy bistros.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in room 516. Room was small. Shower was tiny. Wi fi didn't work, despite my constant request to management. Hotel does not have 5 star facilities, no hotel bar or lounge area. No beach bar. Staff select the location of the beach lounges. You require transport to the closest local town. Hotel was clean and newish, needs more staff. Lacks ambience. I recommend against it.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from La Direzione, Direttore generale at Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel
Responded Jul 15, 2023
Dear guest, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback. Both the good and the not-so-good comments are incredibly valuable to us as it is the best way to learn where we can improve! Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience faced in this occasion. We did faced your problem with wii-fi when was enlighted but once we come to the room was perfectly working on all the devices. Beach allocation is choosen upon availability and the first two rows are reserved to the guest staying in our Suites. However we will do our best to provide a five stars service to all opur guest and make sure the will return. We hope we will have the occasion to reedem your experience during a future stay. Best regards, Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There is no ironing Or hot water. Un-helpful staff. If you are with a family with children you best avoid this hotel. We booked through Booking.com which had to call the hotel an ask them to resolve this! The hotel said they will do it in an hour!! even more embarrassing is that they did not really resolve. There are much better places to stay than this hotel. Its sad as the location of the hotel is ideal and on a beautiful beach.
It is 2.5* hotel and not 4* We stayed in April.
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Date of stay: April 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Rooms are okish. on the motorway facing side.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Castellinaria_Hotel, Direttore at Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel
Responded Apr 23, 2019
Dear guest, we are all very sad to read your very harsh words. My team and I are all deeply committed to offer a friendly and caring service - praised by all our guests. Should you choose to stay with us again, please contact me personally and I will be happy to make up for this inconvenience. Yours sincerely, Hotel Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
From the moment you leave the highway and you see the sign of the hotel, you get the doubts if you should stay here. When arriving the parking lot the property looks tired and in need of a full refurbishment. When you get out of the car you get welcomed by an unpleasant smell. In general the staff is friendly and helpful. When we checked out we were informed that you could not pay with American Express, which came as a surprise, since the front door, reception and restaurant has stickers all over that Amex cards are welcome. Now we had to pay with my company card, which should not be. For the rest, decent but not great hotel. You get value for money, of season.
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Date of stay: September 2016Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Polignano a Mare area.
PRICE RANGE
C$736 - C$906 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Castellinaria Hotel
LOCATION
ItalyPugliaProvince of BariPolignano a Mare
NUMBER OF ROOMS
32
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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