Relais Histò San Pietro Sul Mar Piccolo

This historic property was fabulous. Our room was very spacious and cool with a superb biiig bed. The bathroom was beautiful and offered a bath with shower over, not just a shower stall. The pool was superb and we didn't use the spa but the pool cafe staff were brilliant and looked after us handsomely. I liked it all! Not cheap and off the beaten track but worth every penny.

There was only one small hiccough and my own fault really. I ordered a tomahawk steak to share with my wife at dinner. It arrived more bone than meat, still on the bone and with no sharp knife to prepare it. By the time we got it off the bone it had cooled to inedible. They took it off the bill without question but a romanic dinner was spoiled. Rule #1 in Italy. Stick to the pasta and fish but avoid the meat.

Lovely helpful staff who made the hotel luxury and restful. The staff even arranged payment of my parking ticket I received in a local town. Lovely buildings with style.

Nothing. It was great.

The setting of the hotel is beautiful - fruit trees everywhere. You can pick your own figs off the trees. The pool area is stunning though the pool is smaller than we had expected. The hotel and grounds are spotless and the breakfast is fantastic with lots of choice. We didn't experience the spa but they did show us round and it was really top class.

The major setback is the location which is awful. It is on the outskirts of Taranto and as we got near we were really worried as it really feels like a tip. Rubbish everywhere and industrial units on the landscape and an ugly sprawling city down below but in the last few minutes it began to feel a little more rural. Turn down the long drive however and you could be anywhere. You can't see any of that from the hotel. It was hard to shake those first impressions of where we were however and for that reason I wouldn't go back despite the hotel and its grounds being really lovely. The meals were very expensive and only mediocre so we didn't eat there after the first day. There is a lovely little see just near but again there was loads of rubbish everywhere.

The site alone is great. I love the historic buildings surrounded by olive trees. A perfect place to relax. The restaurant is excellent. Perfect location to spoil yourself and find peace.

If someone wants or needs cool rooms in the heat of summer one should tell the reception along with the booking. Some of the rooms have such a high ceiling, that the air condition does not manage to cool the room down sufficiently.

It is really fantastic property. Buildings, territory, service, breakfast