We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Basiliani and would happily return! The location is perfect--just…read morea short walk from the historic center of Otranto[1], yet peaceful and relaxing. The hotel itself is spacious[2], clean, and beautifully maintained, with a calm and welcoming atmosphere throughout.
We stayed in a Superior Triple Room, which is perfect for families or a small group. It featured a main bedroom with double bed and its own bathroom[3], and a single bed in the other room which also had a sofa plus a second bedroom. Our room also had 2 balconies with a lovely view of the pool.
Speaking of the pool, this is one of the most beautiful hotel pools I have ever seen. Very large, crescent-shaped, it's 1.60m/5.2ft deep throughout, with stairs on two sides plus hydrojets. The deck has a lot of beds and umbrellas, plus a bar where you can order drinks, snacks, and small plates. There are also outdoor showers, and they can provide towels although the system to get one is a bit weird[4]. The pool is open 10am-6pm daily, and I wish it was open earlier and for longer. Clubby music is being played on the speakers constantly, which is a bit at odds with the overall relaxing vibe of the hotel, but the volume is low.
We didn't have the opportunity to try the spa, but it sounded great --multiple pools, hydromassage, a Finnish sauna, steam room, aromarium, emotional showers, and a peaceful relaxation area with herbal teas.
Breakfast was absolutely amazing, with an incredible display of options, including a delicious selection of local pastries and dishes like pasticciotto, or frisella. The automatic pancake station is a big winner with kids. The food at the restaurant was also excellent--we had one meal there, which featured a €30 prix fixe menu, but you could also order a la carte from that same menu. We appreciated that, even though they did not have a kids menu, they would happily prepare dishes for children like pasta or breaded cutlet.
The hotel seems to attract a somewhat older clientele, so if you're looking for a party atmosphere, or a place walking distance from the beach, maybe this wouldn't be my first choice. If you're looking for a relaxing and elegant stay close to the center of Otranto, however, Hotel Basiliani is an excellent choice.
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[1] The walk as you turn right from the main entrance is not particularly scenic, and at night it doesn't feel great. However, there is another entrance/exit towards the back of the pool that opens on a much better lit, nicer street.
[2] The hotel is quite big, with different buildings on different levels, and finding your way around from the inside can be tricky.
[3] Limited privacy, as the bathroom and bedroom area separated by a glass partition.
[4] You have to get a voucher at the front desk; you handle the voucher to the lifeguard who will then give you a towel. When you are done, or right before checkout, give the towel back to the lifeguard, who will then give you the voucher back, which you will give to the front desk. If you want the hotel to dry the towel for you it's €3.
