Beauty Beach Villa — Hotel in Monopoli

Trip advisor users beware; the trouble is that two people can have totally different experiences of the same place! We stayed at the Beauty Beach at exactly the same time as the reviewer below and I know they feel they had the holiday from hell, but our experience could not have been more different. We absolutely loved it.||There is no doubt that it is extremely difficult to find and it is essential the hotel replaces the sign on the main road (it was lying inside the gate so presumably it fell down at some point). Luckily I had phoned the day before to say that my daughter and I would be arriving on a late flight and Francesco, the owner, gave me his mobile number. Also, you absolutely must have a car. There are virtually no shops whatsoever and no restaurants you can walk to (well, one – 25 minute walk) it is also very difficult to get local taxis. Unfortunately we had not realised this and we could have been marooned but, on our first evening, Francesco kindly took us out to the restaurant where he was meeting his friends and they insisted we join them (they then all spoke in English so we could be included in the conversation). On another evening, he drove us to a different restaurant and arranged for the owner to drive us back to the hotel (all free of charge). He also recommended we visit the wonderful town of Polignano, booked a superb restaurant and arranged a reliable taxi to take us there and collect us. He really could not have been kinder or more considerate.||The hotel is kept impeccably clean by Rosetta, who also bakes the cakes served for breakfast, accompanied by copious cups of delicious coffee served by Vivianna. Both ladies speak only Italian but were wonderfully warm and helpful. The villa terraces provide a stylish and relaxed haven. There is a disco adjacent which plays music during the day as well as the evening during weekends - but we quite enjoyed it and the sound couldn’t be heard from inside the bedrooms. Fabulous loungers and hammocks; outside showers perfectly placed for use after a dip in the sea (which is immediately outside the gates); all as previously described in earlier reviews. The public beach is quite narrow and is absolutely packed on Saturdays/Sundays so we sunbathed in the peace of BBV and then went through the gates for a swim.||I can see how the confusion arose with the previous reviewer regarding payment. Perhaps it would be better if the final bill was left in the room the night before departure or provided at breakfast on the final morning – especially for non-Italian speaking clients. However I think everything is run on an ‘honesty’ basis to make you feel at home. To add to the confusion, the gentleman they mentioned who was in the car park was not in fact the owner - it was someone else who was simply staying in the hotel. Very unfortunate.||BBV just need to make it clear that a car is needed (not just recommended), organise the signage and perhaps the payment systems because there are so many wonderful things about staying in this very lovely place.||Thank you Francesco, Rosetta...

Beauty Beach Villa is located directly on a public beach, at the end of a private road, which we found after a phone call to Francesco the owner. We could park our car directly inside.||||We were greeted for an early check in, with a choice between the 2 available rooms, #1 and #4. Both looked great, room #1 a bit smaller but also more unique with the large shower directly behind the bed head.||||The room, as well as the whole facility, is inspired by simple and very elegant Italian design. It is also practically very comfortable. The bed is large and firm. Room is fully sound and light proof. AC worked well. There is also a wine cellar fridge, which we were invited to use immediately as we were offered by our host a bottle of Primitivo. The room has a large semi-private balcony in the form of a shared courtyard with cactus dividing the space between the rooms. On the minus side some people may be uncomfortable with the fact that the toilet is not in a closet - it can be somewhat sheltered by opening the shower door.||||The Villa is located directly on a public beach, which was very crowded. There are however multiple small beaches and coves around that are much quieter. We decided on the first day to enjoy the beach from the Villa. It is well protected from the mass, with high walls. Yet there is an upper sun deck with loungers, sofas and large protective parasols, directly overlooking the beach and the sea. Also there are outside showers, large Fatboy hammocks and a jacuzzi, to provide overall ultimate comfort. The sea is crystal blue and very appropriate for swimming, with sand bottom and a sand beach. During our stay the water was as calm as a lake.||||Service from Francesco and his small team is also extraordinary. While we are relaxing on the sun deck he will come regularly with supplies of water, fruits, cakes, or any form of home made snacks. It is also possible to have bottles of wine and proseco in ice buckets. We just felt like in heaven... The Villa does not act as a restaurant but from time to time they will prepare lunch or a special dinner party. The lunch came as a surprise menu, with a series of tapas and a pasta, simple but delicious. Breakfast is equally fantastic, with a large selection of cakes, juices, ham, cheese, etc. For dining out Francesco has a large selection of recommendations. We tried the Marea (see separate review), which was exactly as he had described it, with excellent fish, expect it came out a bit more expensive. He was also very flexible with early check in and check out time - leaving us with a generous selection of cakes for the early morning departure.||||Altogether we had a perfect stay. It was also quite affordable. All the snacks provided during day time were free. Wine was very reasonably priced (15 to 30 euro), the lunch also at 20 euro. As an additional touch, Francesco rounded down the final tab. ||Will very...

If I was to open a hotel/B&B, I would model it on the Beauty Beach Villa. It has all the ingredients for a joyous stay - lovely, calm surroundings leading onto a typically Italian manic beach; food to die for; service that is attentive, warm and friendly but not intrusive and delightfully delicious food.||||We arrived late at night and Francessco was there to greet us warmly. The property is directly on the beach and laid out in multi floored terraces so you can chill in the very comfy hammocks or immerse yourself in a beach bursting with colourful umbrellas shading the sun worshipping Italians from the strongest rays. We had to fight to get a spot on the sand but it was worth it and we loved being in the middle of the mass. The water was delightful and when we'd had enough of the hubbub we retreated to the sanctuary of the hammocks.||||The rooms were simple and comfortable, with pop art finishes and more than a dash of help from Ikea (as well as an all important statue of the Virgin!). Bed was big and comfy and air con worked well. There was a bottle of wine waiting for us when we arrived which we thought was a nice touch. The shower at the head of the bed was a fun novelty when we arrived but we weren't too sure about it when we put it into practice as we had to take turns leaving the room at shower time (not prude but not showy either!)||||The main highlight for us was the food. The way the villa is set up means that you take your lunch and breakfast opposite a huge open kitchen where all the magic happens. All the food is made on site including the jams right down to the liqueurs we tried after lunch. Breakfast was a buffet affair - filled with fruit, yogurt, cakes, juices and really good coffee. Then Lunch. Oh my - our favourite lunch in Italy. We were asked in the morning if there was anything we didn't like and came back at 1.30pm for our feed. It was simple food that was placed in front of us but it was amazing. It felt like being home, enjoying your mothers cooking if you mother was a great Italian cook. ...