Masseria Tenuta Specolizzi in Lido Marini

We are a family of four and we come to Salento every year. This time, instead of staying in a villa, we decided to book a hotel for more convenience.

Given the price we were paying (€343 per night during 2 weeks!), we expected a high-end level of service and also appreciated the convenience of having an EV charger for our car. One of the main reasons we chose this hotel was that it seemed more upscale compared to others in the area. We also looked forward to being able to use the swimming pool during our kids’ nap times.

However, two days before check-in, we received an email listing a number of rules. Since we assumed it was just a generic message, we didn’t read it carefully. In any case, at that stage it was too late to cancel or find another hotel. Once we arrived, we discovered the following restrictions:
• No access to the swimming pool between 1 pm and 4 pm
• Reception closed between 1 pm and 4 pm (surprising given the high rates)
• Mandatory swimming cap in the pool
• Sunscreen prohibited before entering the pool, only allowed after swimming (hardly practical if you plan to swim more than once)
• On a windy day, Mario closed the umbrella “for safety". We were at the beach earlier and had no issues with much stronger wind. He suggested we move to the shade where there were no sun beds and did not offer to help reposition the chairs or ask staff to assist. At this price point, I would expect this kind of service as standard. I honestly felt like a child being told to avoid messing around. Very strange.

Because of these restrictions, we had no choice but to keep our kids in the room until 4 pm. Paying this rate but being unable to freely use the pool was unacceptable.

During breakfast I asked the staff to have eggs because we paid for breakfast but apparently it wasn't enough as she mentioned that eggs are extras. Unacceptable.
BTW, they had fruits and they were very good. They have some good points for sure like homemade cakes.

At the first or second day the cleaning lady asked if we wear allowed to use the kitchen (we booked this room because it had a kitchen). She said that using the kitchen is extra. Now we're in a room that has a kitchen but to use it I have to pay even more??? I got confused but apparently the lady said that it was ok after my wife said we took this room because it had a kitchen so I guess it's clear on our side.

The overall welcome felt cold. The focus was more on what we couldn’t do rather than making us feel comfortable. As foreigners arriving with our car, not even a simple “How was your journey?” was asked. Parking was also inconvenient: instead of letting me park near our room for 10 minutes to unload our luggage, I was directed to the parking lot. Anticipation is key in my opinion. With the gravel ground, rolling suitcases was impossible.

Regarding the EV charger, I noticed a lack of clarity. One day, Mario saw me charging and asked my wife to notify him the day before each charge. I assumed this was to book a slot, but when I asked, he just said, “Yes yes, no problem.” At the end of our stay, he asked how many times I had charged and requested €40 for four charges. While the price itself was fair, the lack of upfront communication felt misleading. He said while smiling, “It’s not free,” in a mocking tone and expression. I made him realize that he had never mentioned the cost.

On top of this, our AC was not working for four days. I did not ask for any discount—I always pay what is due—but in a hotel at this price point, I would expect at least a small gesture of goodwill, which was never offered.

To be clear, Mario and Silvana are kind people. Their hotel is nice and calm (except when some crazy drivers go crazy on the road that is next to the hotel). They did come to chat with us during breakfast, which we appreciated. But they need to understand that true hospitality is about giving as much (at least) as receiving.

That said, we will not be returning next year sadly.