Bellariva B & B and Relax

We (couple) recently stayed one night at the Bellariva Monopoli B&B (advertises itself as a 5* B&B) late August. The location was excellent, just a short walk to the historic centre, and it was conveniently across the road from a small but crowded beach. Claudio, the host, let us check in early, which was much appreciated.||However, there were too many other downsides. It should be noted that while parking was available, it was at an extra cost and off-site (a 2-minute walk away), which was unexpected. Despite Claudio insisting (when checking out and asking for payment) that he made us aware of the 20 euros fee per day, I checked booking.com and our exchanges and at no point did he make us aware of the parking conditions and costs. We probably could have easily found free parking on the street had we known in advance. I thought this was dishonest. ||The breakfast was very disappointing and by far the worst we had during a one-week holiday in the region. Upon checking in, our breakfast order for the next day was taken, and we were told it would be served in the room as no breakfast room (also unexpected). Despite ordering orange juice (which they said would be fresh) we didn’t get any juice at all. The bread we ordered was not bread but simply a packet of crackers. ||The air conditioning in the room was very poor, making it difficult to get comfortable (it was very hot during our stay). Again, the worst air conditioning / conditions we had during our time in the region. You literally had to stand under it to feel the slight cool air coming out. Moreover, housekeeping clearly went into the room while we were out and turned it off. ||The room we stayed in is advertised as 35m2. I didn’t measure the room, but it certainly does not appear that big. The room was ok, but nothing special at all, the curtains had a hole in them and were grey/dirty. There was a balcony which looked out over a road and the small beach mentioned above. ||Overall, a very disappointing stay. I would certainly not return or recommend the place; it was overpriced and not a 5* (3* at the most). If I come back to Monopoli I would find somewhere else. ||I should have read the poor tripadvisor reviews (believe them!), as they echoed many of the issues we encountered and, especially with the interactions with the management and the services.

We visited for 3 days in very hot weather. |The B&B is an attractive property in a fairly good location to walk in to Monopoli. |As others have said it has the potential to be very good but unfortunately there are issues. |The air conditioning is poor. It looks new and leads me to believe that it has been adapted to run at a high temperature on low speed fan to save money at the expense of comfort. We spent 3 very uncomfortable nights here. |The room was small with little room for suitcases. It was up two flights of stairs which made it difficult to take luggage up, although the proprietor did help, which was appreciated. |The WiFi was not working for 50% of our stay. |There was an extra charge for daily cleaning, which seemed excessive considering the price of the room. |Parking was difficult in the area- we managed to find a spot on the street but the trouble we had finding it made us reluctant to go anywhere in case we lost our spot. |By the time we left I was glad to go. The owners were pleasant but I feel they need to address these issues if they want to succeed as a business.

The host Claudio was very friendly and accommodating. He gave us great restaurant recommendations and helped with reservations.|The rooms were modern, roomy and very clean. Comfortable beds. No beach towels, so bring your own. Breakfast was served on our balcony, which is a nice touch, but nothing special. |The location was the best attraction of this place. We walked 10-15 minutes inot town and to many restaurant choices. The beach is right across the road. No need for a car if you are staying local.

This is a modern, attractive property within an easy 10 min walk of the old town. It is across the street from the beach. They have one parking spot you can choose to pay 30 euro per day but there also seems to be on street parking that is available for free. First I want to tell people to believe the reviews. After seeing several people state they did not get the room the reserved, I reiterated and confirmed by email that I wanted the Royal Suite. It was confirmed in writing twice by Claudio. When we arrived Claudio tried to tell us the room we had which was the Superior Suite was identical. It was not. The room is barely 12 x 12 ft. The Royal suite is larger with a wraparound balcony . Keep in mind this is not a room category. Each room has its own name. We saw inside the Royal suite and it is easily 50 % larger. He told us he made a mistake, just a mistake. And then showed us the receipt for the people who had booked that room in January. He knew when we booked that it was not available. This really soured us on the whole stay. |The mattresses are very firm and the pillows are literally like a rock. We did ask for two more pillows and one of those was much softer. They only change towels every other day and no towels for beach use so we bought some at a local shop. |The room is very clean, bathroom with a big glass shower and bidet. The maids come in each day and make up the bed etc. |breakfast is continental and delivered to your room each day. |There is a terrace on the roof with a jacuzzi which is very nice, although we did not use it. |Bottom line is, nice property but they need to be honest with which rooms are available. The bait and switch is not fair and if I had been more comfortable with walking away and trying to find another property I would have but we prepaid and had flown in from the north on my husband’s birthday so I wasn’t going to take a chance with finding somewhere else to stay..

Two couples stayed at Bellariva B&B e Relax as a base for 5 nights to tour Puglia. We found the location perfect for our needs with several good restaurants within 2-3 minute walk. The walled old city was an easy 10 minute walk along the seaside street, and numerous choices for dining and shopping were available inside the charming port town. Owners Claudio and Mary were wonderful hosts for the 6 suite property. Large suites are modern and clean with comfortable beds and the room amenities were excellent! (2 suites offer small ensuite pools!) One of our favorite memories is eating breakfast on our outdoor patio while enjoying the sea view! We are pleased to recommend Bellariva B&B e Relax. Grazie Claudio & Mary!

This is a modern, attractive property within an easy 10 min walk of the old town. It is across the street from the beach. It has the potential to be a lovely boutique hotel as it has only 6 rooms that are different in size and amenities and are cleverly named. As Booking.com showed "check availability" we contacted Claudio directly and paid in advance for 2 of the 6 rooms for 3 nights in early June. We had our daughter and her friend stay in the Tiffany suite which is a large room on the ground floor with an internal hot tub. My husband and I stayed int he Deluxe Suite (advertised as 35 m² when in fact it is no more than 18 m²) which is a very small room without any balcony. We had the best and the worst of the 6 rooms, however they were priced accordingly. The rooms are very clean, and the bathroom has a big glass shower and bidet. ||Unfortunately, we encountered several unpleasant experiences with the management. It is advertised as a spa/wellness place however when we asked to book the internal spa for facials and massages and were told that it was fully booked during our stay there. We subsequently discovered that it was closed.||We called ahead to say we would be checking in late as our flight was delayed and Claudio was annoyed and responded with a rude "Aye yai yai" and asked us to call when we arrived. We called as requested but had to wait 20 minutes for his wife to arrive and check us in.||Claudio's wife offered to make a Restaurant booking for us and confirmed the booking for the Thursday night but when we went to the Restaurant it was closed on that night. There was no explanation offered from management. ||The hot tub in the Tiffany suite was not turned on so the water was cold, and it could not be used the first night. The girls turned on the hot tub heat and were scolded the next day for having the setting too high. The hot tub looks great, but it is a pity that you can't heat it up for use.||Housekeeping kept turning aircon off in the rooms so when we returned from an outing the room was stiflingly hot.||One of the key cards to the Deluxe room didn’t work and management wouldn’t replace it, so my husband and I had to use the same key card.||Management was never at reception and did not answer the phone when we tried to contact them. At times there was no way to reach them.||Activities were mentioned on the website however, Claudio knew nothing about them and told us to just google them.||We paid 1200euro for the 2 rooms for 3 nights. This is considered expensive in Apulia so I highlight the amount that we paid as we consider certain amenities should be included in this price.||The tap water was not safe to drink, but we were charge 2euro for each bottled water we used. I thought was petty considering the nightly rate. Also, there was no facility to get ice for our drinks.||There is a nice terrace on the roof with a jacuzzi, but we had to find it ourselves as management did not show it to us.||Management did not offer to help us with our bags, and we had to take them up 2 flights of stairs to our room.||Management provided no assistance with parking. We had to figure out the areas that we were allowed to park the rental car.||Management told us there was a private beach that we could use for free across from the hotel. We arrived and were told that we only got a 10% discount.||We asked for refreshed beach towels to use and again management refused to provide them. ||The safe in the Tiffany suite didn't work so we had to secure the girls passports in the Deluxe Suite. ||As the Tiffany suite is on the ground floor, the girls were very conscious of security and locked the sliding glass door when not in the room. Housekeeping opened the sliding glass door and left it open. We advised reception of this security breach, and their response was "it’s ok for us to do that because we have cameras”. The gate at the front of the property doesn't have a secure lock so any member of the public could have walked right into the suite room and stole our belongings.||The breakfast is included and delivered to your room each day, but the actual food is very average.||Lastly at checkout we were told of a city tax that we owed for each night even though the reservation was prepaid. We paid the tax with a credit card, but Claudio was again annoyed because he wanted it paid in cash.

We arrived and were greeted by lovely smiling faces - truly a warm welcome. We were shown to our room which had a balcony with 2 chairs and a view of the sea (as well as the street below). The room is modern, comfortable, has all the amenities, and as mentioned, the staff couldn't be more helpful (they made everything so easy - directions, dinner reservations, touring advice, transport to the airport on departure day). Breakfast was plentiful and fresh served on the first floor or in your room if desired. The decor is bright and clean - the location is good - outside the walls of the city, but an easy walk in and close to the beach and restaurants. I highly recommend.

We were two couples travelling together, wanting to book 2 rooms at the last minute due to another booking falling through. On booking.com, it showed s 2 rooms available. My friend and I decided to each book individually as we wanted to pay separately. We booked simultaneously, however my booking went through, but hers showed no rooms left. As this was non refundable, I immediately called the hotel and explained that as only one room was available we needed to cancel. The gentleman, Claudio, with whom I spoke confirmed only one room was available. I explained that the website showed 2 rooms, which is why we decided to book. We were travelling together, so obviously would not have booked if we knew only one room was available. So he said he would refund me ( 3 nights 700 Euros ) under the circumstances. the following day, as we were in the town and had found something else, we visited the hotel to ensure we would be refunded due to the circumstances. Claudio was extremely patronizing, unfhelpful, shrugged his shoulders and said it had nothing to do with him, that it was up to booking.com.||Booking.com contacted the hotel to ask them to make an exception, under the circumstances, and he has refused. So I amnow out of pocket 700 Euros . I am totally disgusted that his greed overrode the need for discretion under the circumstances. He should not have shown 2 rooms avaialbe, when in fact there was only one. I have been with booking.com for many years, and am totally disappointed with this outcome. I would never deal with this hotel again,and advise others to be careful that they do not encounter a similar experience.