Masseria Panareo in Otranto

Positives first. Impressive reconstruction of a historic building. Landscaped grounds in a beautiful landscape. Pleasant room with outside space. Supper and breakfast were fine. Less positive. We stayed here as part of an Inntravel walking package. Arrived after a long hike. The reception staff could not have done less to be welcoming. Not a smile, nothing. Other travellers informed us that they were given no assistance to take heavy bags down a flight of stairs. A feeling as if no one was quite good enough for the place. The bar area was very small. Four people sitting in a sofa in from of a (lovely) fire, all immersed in their phones/laptops. We asked where else there was to sit and were pointed to some cushions next to the fire. We took our drinks back to our room... No price lists offered. Why? Our room was fine, if a bit dark - probably nice in the heat of the summer. At dinner, everyone had been asked to order their food in advance and while the food is fine ( not special) and the dining space impressive - the system makes it feel a bit like school dinners. Having said that our waitress was lovely - the first friendly face we had encountered since our arrival. Breakfast was ok but compared to other hotels on our trip, nothing special. Again the female waiting staff were friendlier than those on reception. The language used in Masserio Panareo publicity is ridiculously over the top and bears no relation to how it feels to be a guest here. There is absolutely no way we would choose to stay here independently.