Name: Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel
Address: Ss16 Km 832, Polignano A Mare, 70044, IT

4/10

Poor

17 Jul 2026

heloisa

I was extremely disappointed with my stay. The photos and the high price tag make it look like a luxury hotel, but that is far from reality.

To start, the hotel doesn't even have a pool, and the bar area has nowhere to sit. The air conditioning in the room takes forever to turn on, making it incredibly uncomfortable every time we walked in. The shower stall is tiny and completely floods the bathroom floor.

However, the biggest disappointment was the beach club. The beach is shared with a public club that rents out chairs, so it was completely packed. There was no way to relax, as we were stuck between crying kids throwing slippers at each other. The beach service was painfully slow; we had to constantly wave our hands hoping a waiter would eventually look at us. When the food finally arrived, it was immediately covered in ants, and we had to throw it away.

We were so frustrated that we left the hotel less than 2 hours after checking in and only came back to sleep. To top it all off, they couldn't even manage to get us a dinner reservation at the restaurant before 9:30 PM. Save your money—this place is definitely not worth it.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2026

Susan L

The property was simply magical. It was incredibly private, absolutely beautiful, and the staff was amazing. I will be returning many times in the future.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2026

daniel

The location and staff are fantastic.
The beach and suites are well worth the trip.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2025

Maritza

Excellent property. Staff extremely helpful, friendly and ready to help, almost immediately! Great variety for breakfast.
Our thanks to Bianca, Carmen, Francesco, Kristina, Lorenzo, Salvo and Giovanna for their excellent service, assistance and suggestions! We appreciate you all!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Sep 2025

Mary

We were greeted promptly upon arrival!
Beach was perfect!
Staff, overall was very good.
Cleaning staff were outstanding!
Would have provided a 5 star rating, however shower was extremely small.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2025

Girard

Enjoyed our stay very much and look forward to returning with our kids.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Aug 2025

Robin

It was an absolutely beautiful property. The owners have done an amazing job using marvel throughout the entire property. With minimalist touches of modern decoration, it exudes, richness royalty, and pampered attention.
The beds were amazing and comfortable.

However, this rating is lower than it would’ve been had the food and beverage amenities been up to standard that would be expected in a five star hotel. Many items were very limited, both room service and in the dining areas. The dinner service only allowed one menu, at an all inclusive price per person. The menu consisted of limited sushi, fish, and steak all prepared either sushi style or Teppanyaki. There were no à la carte options for dinner, except to order the limited room service menu.
Additionally, there is no coffee self service in the room. Never before have I stayed in any class hotel that did not supply any coffee and tea for use in the rooms rather than calling room service.
A positive was the minibar which all items except for alcohol were complementary. It was adequate and some of the selections very good.
Without options for a gym, a spa or a pool if you are you senot a complete fan of the beach and the seawater there was very little to do around the Hotel facility.
Once again, the staff was amazing, extremely efficient and prompt. They were very polite, and we enjoyed them.

For a five star hotel, the amenities are somewhat lacking and limited.
Fortunately, the nearby towns had amazing restaurants!

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

24 Jul 2025

Sabrina

Not a 5 star hotel at all. A motel for a ridiculous price.

4/10

Poor

24 Jul 2025

Michael

Stay anywhere but at this hotel!

This hotel claims it is five star, more like 3 Star. Great location and that's it. Staff need more training, when you ask for anything, their go to answer is \"Sorry No\"

It started at check in, we had to carry our own suitcases from our car to the hotel, we were given the wrong WIFI password and thigs just deteriorated from her.

Breakfast, is minimal, there is no bar so you cannot even get a pre-dinner cocktail! most of the staff were terse, they look like they are bored and when you ask for anything, it seems to be a chore.

My wife and I stayed for five nights and were very disappointed

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Jul 2025

Shelly

The property is stunning. Somewhat far from poligiamo a mare, must drive to it, it was a busy weekend and we couldn't find parking in town. Our room was beautiful, the a/c didn't with, they have is another run, the outlets didn't work. I am thankful for their efforts.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

10 Jul 2025

Jenny

Pros: spacious room, modern bathroom, great terrace with hot tub, nice sandy beach, quiet, can reserve at the Grotta restaurant, helpful English speaking staff you can contact via WhatsApp.

Cons: poor air conditioning strength - room never got below 26C, warm mini fridge, no beers in fridge, no coffee in room, small breakfast buffet, best order directly from kitchen. No shuttle to other hotel in town but those guests can get a shuttle to the beach and you can’t even sit in the empty leg back to town. Expensive taxis - €50 for a car to Monopoli, tuktuk slightly cheaper but still expensive, uncomfortable and unsafe. No hotel pool but there was a pool in the old hotel before they took over. No gym.
The beach is nice but not private and exclusive to the hotel, shared with another hotel and beach club. Avoid Italian school holidays as very crowded with noisy children. Hotel room was high tech but in all the wrong areas - I don’t need an iPad to control lights, I want good air con, a cold fridge and a coffee maker. I like a nice spacious shower but no need for a huge rain shower with 5 settings - put a double sink in the bathroom and hooks for towels. Cleaning seem to miss small toiletries like I used cotton pads every day but they were never replenished every day after they had seen I had used them even after I asked for more the first day.

It’s like they had ambitions for design but ran out of money. We might stay again for the right price, at the right time and hire a car.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2025

gennaro

Excellent beach resort and location. Staff was very attentive both within the hotel and beach side. Easy to get downtown with 10 minute Tuk Tuk ride.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Jul 2025

Allen

Really nice property.
If considering to be a 5 star property, feel that the staff need to be more warm and friendly.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2025

Anzhelika

Friendly staff, upgraded tastefully decorated, beach is clean, staff is very attentive

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2025

Cathy

Clean, beautiful and serene! Beach was also fantastic!!!

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

18 Jun 2025

Jacqueline J

Resort was clean, access to the private beach with chair and towel availability. Upon check in we were informed that the hotel was not the same as advertised with a cliff side dining experience however it was at the sister hotel and reservations and rail seating was priority to us as hotel guests. The town of Polignano A Mare was easily accessible from the resort and transportation was arraigned by the front desk.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

11 May 2025

Kristina

Wonderful and modern

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2025

Steve

Don’t miss this gem !

From the personalized greeting as we entered the property, to being welcomed as we parked. Every step of the reception process was exceptional and professional.

Check-in was quick

Rooms were outstanding

The view is priceless

The complementary shuttle between the hotel and downtown, whether you’re visiting the restaurant, or just spending time exploring.. the shuttle service was an unexpected bonus

Every time we returned to our rooms, they had been reset cleaned and organized, as if we were arriving for the very first time

Super professional staff, I am looking forward to the next visit already!

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2024

Cathy

Beautiful Views
Great entertainment
Good food
Delicious Wine

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Oct 2024

Luisa

This is an absolutely beautiful property with a private beach. The rooms are newly renovated however they are basic and the shower was tiny.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2024

Ora

The beach at this property is not private. They share this beach with the adjoining beach club and it was incredibly busy.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Sep 2024

Jerry

We stayed in the city the first night and then came to stay at the beach the next 2 nights. I called to arrive early since we had to check out of our city hotel. Alberto answered and said he would try to arrange this although checkin was at 3pm. Alberto called back shortly afterwards and said they could accommodate an early check in.

When we arrived, Alberto greeted us, checked us in quickly and then showed us to our wonderful room. We had some concerns because some of the reviews mentioned air conditioning issues. Our room was very clean and the AC unit was fairly new. The air conditioning worked great.

Giusepe from the restaurant was extremely helpful and accommodating. We had incredible breakfasts and really excellent dinners. One night we had dinner at the Grotto restaurant at the sister hotel in the city. The shuttle was free since we were staying at the sister property. The restaurant view and food at the Grotto in the city was expensive but well worth the visit. The food, atmosphere and service were impeccable.

At the hotel, the service was perfect. Great beach, views and service. Free water was provided which is nice when you are at the beach and hotel in Europe. The sunrise and beach view were amazing.

We extended another night. The morning we left, the staff put together a wonderful breakfast for us to eat on the train to Naples. We will remember the service, views, accommodation and atmosphere until the next time we come!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Aug 2024

Armen

Perfect beach! Comfortable bed. And great service!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

Business_and_leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Jul 2024

Jamie

We were traveling with 2 other families. One family had to cancel last minute because her cancer came back and she ended up in the hospital doing emergency radiation. The hotel was so unaccomodating and refused to refund them. All they offered was “Their policy”. I would never stay there or recommend it.
Not to mention there’s no pool and the beach was full of kids. There was some sort of summer camp going on.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

03 Jul 2024

Liana

Customer service was terrible. Didn’t clean our room. Paid for the most expensive suite and AC was broken. Hardly any accommodation was offered other than a fan in the room. The manager promised to call us to rectify the situation and never called, also ignored our call when I tried to reach him. Zero amenities. Claims their beach is private but it is definitely open to the public. Our private jacuzzi had green/yellow algae stains so it definitely was never cleaned or treated. Overall awful experience for how much we spent. Limited staff. Had to ask for service at the beach and remind them to bring us our complimentary waters. Honestly nothing good to say, so disappointed.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2024

Sabrina

tranquil beautiful relaxing right on the beach

2/10

Poor

30 Jun 2024

Gennady

We came to the hotel and the deluxe room are simply cheapest motel for $50 then we upgrade $1100 a night to the suite. Suites Recondition was not working in every room. There are moving us from one room to another, but still AC is not working. The manager is not in his place instead of helping and resolve the problem. He was clawless. Be careful outside on the steps to the beach because it’s slippery and people falling down.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jun 2024

MEHMET

Very good for families…

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

15 Jun 2024

Humberto

Hi All, This is my first time sharing my reviews and it's for a good reason. I don't care to spend on excellent service and you always get what you pay for. I paid $1,800 a night for 6 nights and my AC broke on the 5th night. I reported it first thing In the morning. I was told around noon that it was fixed and it was still not cooling. Around 2pm I was told the technician was coming back and it was fixed again and still not cooling. It was finally 10pm and they brought me a fan. To be honest I don't feel they even tried to correct the situation if I was staying for more night what would they have done ? They offered a free beer which is not worth $1800 dollars for the night.

I would reconsider this property !

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

08 May 2024

Armen

Miserable hotel. Far to be considered a high class hotel.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2024

Anna

Was nice and clean. The staff was very helpful and polite. The view was exceptional.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

13 Sep 2023

Sylvia

The hotel is beautiful. The beach club is amazing.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

08 Sep 2023

Misha

Check in was slow and manual and overall service slow. Also, the hotel beach area was covered in seaweed and we could not swim

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

06 Sep 2023

alexia

First night room got completely flooded with rain water. Ac never worked dispute staff came to fix it. The whole room smell like drain water (poop). I told the staff 3 times. They did nothing. Extremely expensive for their service and accommodations. Will not recommend or stay again

6/10

Pleasant

04 Sep 2023

Silke

The service was slow and not good. The hotel shares the private beach with a club that plays music all day. Nothing private here.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 Aug 2023

Afsaneh

We were very pleased with this property. However, they charge. 200 euros for beach service, which came as a surprise since it’s a Beach Hotel. Otherwise 5 stars. Not really sure whose fault this is Expedia or the hotel for not being g more clear.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

16 Aug 2023

Gustavo

I would only give 5 stars because of the cleaning staff! Those ladies are wonderful and work around the clock. As for everything else, very average.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Aug 2023

Tamar

Wonderful property, amazing grounds. Great staff, very hospitable, helpful and charming. Amazing private beach. Overall a gem of a hotel, definitely worth coming back and experiencing this amazing resort.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

01 Aug 2023

Maclovia

Beach was fantastic!!! BUT beware they charge you an additional 200€ per room and per day to use the beach facility despite you paying the hotel room.
You need car or taxi to get to old town.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

09 Jul 2023

Celene

Loved …Nice clean small hotel . Very Clean rooms ! But very small showers … very small. Great access to a sandy beach!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2023

natalie

This is a hidden gem!! The beach is absolutely gorgeous, Hotel is beautiful, but the food way too expensive when ordering by the beach, I don't recommend that. I have to say we loved our stay here and would definitely go back. Room was small but very clean and updated, the breakfast which was included was amazing. You need a car in this area because nothing is walking distance from the hotel and taxis are not easy to get unless the hotel orders you one. Would definitely recommend this place

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jun 2023

John

Absolutely incredible property. Exceeds all expectations. Immaculate rooms, staff bent over backwards for us. A true Gem

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jun 2023

Tiffany

Easy drive from Bari, loved all the food from breakfast to dinner. Room had a fantastic ac and got super cold which we loved.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Sep 2022

Verified traveler

Great location on the beach, quit, clean, friendly staff. You need to have your own transportation, 10 minutes driving from the city center.
We stayed 5 nights, definetely will go back.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

28 Aug 2022

Cassandra

Beautiful, but not worth 5 stars.
No complimentary car service. Charge you for everything.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

26 Aug 2022

Eduardo

This hotel is excellent for resting. There is no bar, no area with music nor entertaining program. The bathrooms are very small, uncomfortable and inconvenient for the price. However, the hotel and the surroundings are beautiful, very clean, quiet, and has the best staff.

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

11 Aug 2025

rosanna

Una cattedrale nel deserto

Il Grotta Palazzese beach hotel non ha assolutamente gli standard di un 5 stelle.
La posizione non è strategica, per raggiungere Polignano vanno spesi 15 euro a tratta con il calessino e non abbiamo compreso come mai l'hotel non offra un servizio navetta gratuito.
La colazione è piuttosto sguarnita.
Le camere, seppur molto belle risultano poco funzionali.
La spiaggia è incantevole ma non basta!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2025

Renata

O hotel superou nossa expectativa. Ótima localização, limpeza e organização impecável. atendimento de execelente qualidade. Equipe extremamente atenciosa! Especialmente Carmen e Nicola nos fizerem a sentir em casa.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jun 2025

giorgio

Bien!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jun 2025

Teresita

Es un hotel alejado de Polignano
Es necesario tener auto
El personal es amable aunque no siempre
Creo que debieran esforzarse más dado que es un hotel caro
Lo mejor la recepción y la playa
Sugerencia: mejorar y ampliar el menú del restaurante

Leisure Partner