Need to know
Rooms
64 bedrooms (including nine suites) in La Corte, the castle-like main building, 92 bedrooms in the Borgo and 28 Case.
Check–Out
Noon, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm. Guests can use the pool and beach before check-in, though.
More details
Rates usually include breakfast. For guests staying in the Villa Magnifica, airport transfers, a personal massaie (butler and chef), bike hire, babysitting, a round of golf, laundry, customised bath experience and gifts on arrival and departure.
Also
Booked a villa? You'll get a host of extras including bicycles; a dedicated local adviser who can point you towards the best restaurants, hidden beaches and day trips; and a massaia to serve breakfast, housekeep and do the laundry. Some of the larger villas come with even more, such as a golf cart, compact car and private cabana at the beach club; guests of Villa Magnifica and Villa Meravigliosa get free transfers, too.
At the hotel
18-hole golf course, two beach clubs, 40-acre grounds, spa, gym, yoga studio, hairdressers, bike hire, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: LCD TV with a Bluetooth connection and on-demand movies, speakers in the bathroom, minibar, Vair Spa bath products bath products. Case have an iPod dock too.
Our favourite rooms
Of La Corte’s rooms, we like the Grand Suites for their generous terrace and separate living room. The Egnazia Suite has a private garden and terrace, sociable living and dining area, dressing room, fireplace and an outdoor plunge pool. Just steps from the Borgo is La Emma, with a living area, two bedrooms, two large bathrooms with bathtubs, and a private terrace with a pool and garden.
Poolside
There are four options for bathing: a heated pool inside the main building (children must be supervised here), two pools by La Corte and one family-friendly pool in the Borgo (heated in the cooler months, mid-September to mid-June). The pools are open year-round and have plenty of sun loungers and parasols; three have lifeguards.
Spa
From an á la carte selection of tempting treatments to multiple-day pampering programmes, the adults-only Vair spa is designed to relax, nourish and renew your body inside and out. Take you pick between the happiness-inducing Arangion massage, the deeply cleansing Usual facial or a glittering Or body scrub: if you can't choose just one, try one of the body treatments that combine several therapies. For a unique spa experience, try one of the Roman bath rituals which include a candlelit soak in their stone-clad suite of baths; a tepidarium, a caldarium and a frigidarium, plus a bio-sauna, hammam and flotation pool. Add a final touch to a luxurious spa day, have your hair and make-up done by one their trained specialists. For the ultimate spa stay, book one of their several-day programs. Whatever ailment you're suffering from, or area you want to target, you'll find a program to suit: Na Maele promises physical and psychological detox, Masciar will help your posture and release muscular tensions, and Zaffir is desgined for the solo traveller, or those wanting a few days of alone time to focus on their health and wellbeing.
Packing tips
Bring trainers and your gym kit for morning jogs.
Also
From 15 June to 15 September, children under 13 aren't able to stay in rooms in La Corte, the main building; families with under-13s can stay in the Borgo area or in the Case.
Pet‐friendly
If you contact the hotel in advance, dogs (up to 35 kilos) are allowed on request in some room categories (for an additional cost) and everywhere except the pool areas and Due Camini Restaurant. See more pet-friendly hotels in Puglia.
Children
Under-3s sleep in cots for free; extra beds can be added for pre-teens in the Corte and Borgo area (for an additional cost, subject to availability). There's also a crèche and three kids clubs.
Best for
Kids of all ages are very welcome.
Recommended rooms
The Borgo rooms have the most space and are close to the family pool. The split-level Casetta Bella rooms have a little patio garden. The three-bedroom Case have ample indoor and outdoor space with a private pool and landscaped garden.
Crèche
There’s a crèche for babies and under-3s with a sleeping room with four cots, changing areas, bottle warmers and facilities for warming up baby food. The crèche costs €15 an hour or €45 half day and €90 a day, and prices include private babysitting and lunch (book a week ahead in high season). Extra beds for pre-teens (children aged 12-and-under) can be added for an additional charge.
Activities
There's Trullalleri for children aged three to seven (free) and Marinai Kids Club for children aged eight to 12; these kids clubs have indoor and outdoor areas and stashes of toys. There’s one member of staff for every two children, so little ones are well taken care of. Activities on offer include: theatre workshops, dancing, face painting, bracelet-making and cookery classes. Older children can pick from tennis, swimming, bike rides, trips to the zoo and trips to the local ruins. Staff help children put on productions and plays in the evenings. Children can also be fed at the club for an extra cost, if parents request this: a buffet lunch is served in Due Camini and dinner is served in the children’s area of Trattoria La Mia Cucina. There's also the Tarantari Kids Club for teenagers (13-16); as well as hanging out in the games room, which has a Wii, Xbox, ping pong table, beach toys and table football, teens can join a football academy, and take part in cooking classes, dance contests, go-karting and watersports activities.
Swimming pool
There's a family-friendly pool (with a life guard) in the Borgo (heated in the cooler months, mid-September to mid-June). There are three other pools to take your pick of.
Meals
Children aged 12-and-older are welcome in Due Camini; menus include burgers, pasta with meatballs, vegetable soup, mashed potatoes and the ilk. Casual La Frasca is also great for relaxed meals with the kids in tow. There are baby-changing facilities near La Frasca. Beach restaurant Cala Masciola elevates the kids menu above the ubiquitous chicken nugget, with tasty yet healthful dishes such as tubettini pasta with fish ragout, veal escalope with lemon and puff pastry with custard and sour cherries for dessert. Children using the kids club can have their meals provided (if parents request this in advance; for an extra cost), or half-board meals are €25 a child, each night.
Babysitting
Babysitting can be arranged with 48 hours’ notice. It' €15 an hour, or €20 after midnight.
No need to pack
Highchairs; baby monitors
Also
Birthday parties and other events can be organised through the kids club: just talk to staff when you’re booking childcare.