Perle d'Otranto Aurora DOtranto

From the first moment Le Cale d'Otranto is a nightmare. And for reasons that are not obvious. Because the hotel lies in an idyllic location, with a lot to offer. Over a small, fjord-like bay, surrounded by pristine mediterranean vegetation, with crystal-clear, turquoise-blue water and an exclusive sandy beach in the corner. An oversized pool, fragrant gardens, alleys lined with oleander bushes, wild rosemary, cypresses, pines and olive trees as far as the eye can see. And the staff is helpful and friendly too. So what could go wrong? Unfortunately, a lot. The hundreds of rooms are nested in rows of bungalows. Together, they form an oppressive, dark, homogeneous labyrinth. Already the first look into any of the rooms is shocking. Whoever created this paradise by the sea did their best to make every guest feel like they were in prison. A lot of savings were made on window frames: just one window per room, 40 cm wide and 70 cm long. It takes a special talent to build so strikingly dark, cramped rooms in such a uniquely beautiful location by the sea. Once you accept the inevitable place you will sleep, you drop your luggage and search for light, fresh air and views of the bay, available at the wide open spaces reserved for hotel guests. You hope they will save the day. But then you realize: No matter where you go in the facility, there is nowhere to escape from unrelenting pop music blast from morning to late at night. The merciless noise permeates the entire landscape.

Golf Coach Pier Luigi taught my son his very first golf lesson. We subsequently had several more lessons because he enjoyed himself so much, ending our stay with a mini game.
Pier Luigi is an extraordinary gifted coach, imparting critical knowledge in an understandable and engaging way, to enable my son to grasp the techniques required to play his few holes of golf.
Coach Pier Luigi has sparked a wish to play golf in my son in a way that no other coach has done when my son has tried a new sport.
I would sincerely recommend anyone tries golf at Cale d’Otranto.
He also has experience of coaching visually impaired golfers so do not let any disability stand in your way of trying this wonderful game.

Votes for:
Facility: 1/5
Food: 3/5
Such a disappointment!
To sum up:
Price WAY TOO HIGH for what you get, considering that you have to pay everything extra.
The facilities NEED AN URGENT UPGRADE!
No cellphone signal or Wi-Fi in the rooms! That's ridiculous!
But free Wi-Fi in common areas where there's signal anyways. Thanks for nothing.
The food is mediocre and the parking is way too far away from everything, which makes this village very unattractive for curious people who would actually like to visit beautiful Salento.
NOT COMING BACK EVER.
—
Honestly, it was super advertised, but so NOT living up to my expectations!
So, first: the concept of this place might be interesting for someone who has no intention whatsoever so leave this village for a short visit to Otranto or Lecce or anywhere else. Why? Because it's a 15min walk from the rooms to the parking lot and you can imagine the enthusiasm of taking that walk with 30*C in the shades. Same thing obviously after you get back to the hotel, leave your car at the entrance parking lot and embark on your endless walk back to the rooms.
All guests are around 50+ years old, maybe they just don't want to leave that facility.
Second: The rooms.
Literally Tiny. With facilities from the 80s. Not even 90s!
No cellphone signal or Wi-Fi in the rooms! That's ridiculous!
But free Wi-Fi in common areas where there's signal anyways. Thanks for nothing. Plus: NO sockets close to your bed to charge your phone. So charge it in the bathroom.

The place is simply amazing. Staff is welcoming and helpful. Evening shows are professional performances. You can find anything you may need to relax, enjoy sport, indulge with superb, various and abundant food in compliance with the best Italian standards. Nothing to complain: just book with them a dreamy vacation!