Grand Hotel Masseria Santa Lucia

molto bello, colazione buonissima

Here’s a faithful English translation of your text: --- We arrived at the hotel at the end of May, which was probably too early for the area. The drive from Bari airport was pleasantly short. At the hotel reception, staff were not particularly friendly. The double room seemed relatively new and fine. Free water was only provided once, as were coffee capsules. The tap water was not drinkable—there were signs in the bathroom warning against it. Therefore, we had to buy water at the bar, which was relatively expensive. There was no shop within walking distance. Without a car, you’re at a loss at midday during that season. Twice we went to Ostuni from the hotel in a rickety minibus for €10 each, where you can spend three hours (in the morning) before the bus takes you back. That was nice, because the weather was still quite cool. At the bar, you could order drinks, and my companion twice had a sandwich—more out of lack of other options nearby than desire (they were unimaginatively made). We didn’t want to have lunch in the hotel restaurant as well. Dinner was below average and dragged on forever. We had a table in the passageway of the back dining area, which looked like a canteen. The first course was pasta or soup (pasta always with the same tomato sauce, with slight variations of added ingredients; the soup was more or less pureed vegetables). The main course was dry meat or dry fish. On a side plate, vegetables with butter. For dessert, you could choose every day between cheesecake, ice cream, or fruit. Drinks were separate (wine was expensive). It took ages until the courses were served, because orders were always taken first. The waiters rushed around rather stressed and aimless. Often one waiter would take the order, and then a different one brought each course. Even though we were Italians, every time we were asked what language we spoke, and often addressed in English, even though the waiters themselves barely spoke it. That was strange. They also seemed to get on each other’s nerves and radiated stress. In the nicer, airier dining area, tour groups were seated. Only breakfast was culinarily acceptable, because you sat in an open hall leading out to the terrace and could help yourself at the buffet. Coffee and juice came from the typical machines (a pity, since in Italy one expects good coffee), but at least you didn’t have to wait. The pool area is nice, and so is the beach, but if you wandered a bit off the path or outside the resort, there was quite a lot of trash lying around. On the tennis court, the entire time we were there, a broken plastic ball basket lay across the court, and the net was not tightened—it made a neglected impression, as did the hotel’s congress center, where apparently nothing had ever taken place, as one could see through the windows. In good weather, and when the campsite about 30 minutes from the hotel is fully in operation, you can have a pleasant stay—the nature and sea are beautiful, the rooms clean, and the

Recently paid a visit to this hotel and had a pleasant stay. The hotel is spread over a very large site and you could end up walking 400 yard's to your room. Our room was very comfortable and had everything we needed. The food was good if a little overwhelming because of the number of portions and the size of them. Indoor and outdoor dining is available. You can walk to the sea but there is no beach,just rocks. Some of the staff were a little glum, maybe it's the end of the season but a smile costs nothing. Definitely need a car ro stay here but a good hotel for visiting the Puglia area.