Vinilia Wine Resort

We loved everything about our stay at Vinilia. Our room was spacious, clean, and comfortable. The food was amazing - both at breakfast and at dinner. We also had lunch by the pool one day, which was excellent. The staff members were extremely friendly. You could easily take day trips from the area, but we spent our time there luxuriating at the pool and on the grounds. It was a true highlight of our two weeks in Puglia. Worth the splurge!

A very mixed experience - Polite staff - Beautiful unique setting - Great rooms (junior suite) - Great spa treatments But…. - We complained many times about how hot our room was with the thermostat changes making no difference. Several times we were promised this would be resolved but nothing except for adjusting curtains was done - The shower in the room was lukewarm and dribbling. Again mentioned but nothing was done - You can’t visit the vineyards nearby. Instead you can visit some further away (at cost) - for this you have to arrange/pay for your own transport! - The Michelin star restaurant is over-rated. It was so formal - we felt awkward like we were being watched all the time. Staff were constantly at the table and were very uptight to the point they couldn’t even smile and so uptight that it seemed like they were on order not to smile! - We wouldn’t recommend staying here more than a few nights - there are no meal options except the fine dining in the evening. They apparently were going to “consult” with the chef to see if they could offer something to us but we didn’t hear back - Breakfast was a similar formal affair. No smiles. Worse still staff don’t ask if they can get you anything. You have to ask if they can get you a coffee. They don’t ask or have a menu on hot breakfast options - you have to ask. Most of the staff made you feel as if you were a burden when you asked these questions - Several times we asked for information on a few things at receptions - on two occasions despite being promised to be contacted with updates this did not happen

Vinilia is beautiful, a must visit when in Puglia. The castle, grounds and pool are wonderful, the staff are kind and friendly, the restaurant (michelin star) is one of the best we have ever had the pleasure to dine in. Our room had so much Puglian character, but will all the modern amenities, we loved it. This place is an absolute gem off the beaten track. We cannot recommend Vinilia enough 10/10. Thanks Vinilia Wine Resort for a great stay.

The hotel is beautiful. The castle and the grounds are lovely and the rooms are well decorated. It feels relaxing and it is surrounded by the countryside which is a real bonus. As long as you have a car this is an excellent base to explore. The staff at reception were also very friendly and helpful, arranging dinner for us at a great local restaurant. However, the service and some bits of the offer do not match up to the luxury expectations and pricing. First, we were surprised the hotel didn’t provide complimentary bottled water (the only we stayed at in Puglia that didn’t). Given the hotel is in the middle of nowhere, charging €3 for a small bottle seemed excessive. Second, the breakfast service was very confusing and the staff weren’t attentive. It wasn’t clear they offered hot food until we walked up to a member of staff and asked. We also had to ask for a bowl and a then later on a plate to be able to use the buffet as there were none available. We also sampled some of the wines from the hotel’s vineyard and at €10-€12 a glass it felt very overpriced compared to other local wineries, especially given the wines we had retailed at €13 euros a bottle on the hotel vineyard’s own website.

A 600eur bill for a night to forget Been at Vinilia on a 1 night detour on the 10th August, best advice is to avoid it for the time being until it gets heeled up to international clientele - stick to Masserias on the Savelletri coast instead. Stunning location with plenty of potential, but needs an upgrade in hospitality management. The staff was absolutely lovely and tried to make up for the shortcomings, but management needs to decide if it wants to work with internal guests (proving that sense of ‘uniqueness’ and ‘special stay’) or rely on externals instead. The latter is completely fine, but as a guest i’d feel disrespected if getting charged 400eur/nigh for a room + 200eur for extras. Few suggestions: 1. Strike a deal with your onsite restaurant to reserve places for internal guests. Yes it’s a busy week in August, but not having places for paying guests it’s a bit awkward - if I want to eat out in Manduria i’d book a local b&b instead not a junior suite at your property. 2. Inform guests in advance. If it happens that no places are available because externals have filled out the seats, it would be good to know in advance (email or phone call) so that alternative arrangements can be made 3. In busy periods, consider Flexible hours at the restaurant to accomodate paying guests. what about providing a table from 19.30 to 21.30 on a 2h time slot? Totally acceptable by international standards, we would definitely understand and are used to that. 4. Organise alternative in-room dining. Junior suites for example have amazing terraces, just add some dividers a lounge + umbrella for privacy. And I’m sorry but cotoletta with chips does not make the bar for a 400eur/night property, especially when you have a Michelin starred restaurant onsite, i’m sure with a bit of effort they can make something slightly better and worth the money we’re paying for. And your head chef having trained at the Four Season, should know how to organise this type of service. Discussed with receptions my impressions, all the elements are in place just needs that ‘trait d’union’ to transform an average experience into something unforgettable. But for the moment very disappointed as despite the nice location Vinilia is not worth its price for the time being.

This is exactly what you should expect from a dramatically over priced pretentious small portion meal. Whereas my wife found the flavors complex , this country boy found 20 euro desserts a narcissist indulgence.By far and away the bread was the highlight of the meal.