Hotel Gargano

Why it’s on the Edit

Hotel Gargano is a seaside hotel on the Portonuovo bay outside Vieste, on the Litoranea Sud, a short drive from the center of town. The hotel places itself in the Gargano National Park, facing the bay.

It has a pool and its own beach, and it says it takes families, couples and groups of friends. The price band is 2 of 5, an estimate, since no official rate was found.

The newer wing, L’Isola Experience, has suites, a penthouse, a restaurant with an open kitchen, a wine bar, a library and a lounge.

The rooms

The main hotel has Superior rooms and suites. Each Superior room has a private shower, air conditioning, a phone, a minibar, a TV, a safe and a hairdryer. Room sizes are not confirmed here, apart from the penthouse, so ask for the square meters of the room you want. Ask too whether the room you are offered is in the main hotel or in L’Isola Experience.

Three suites, Vesta, Luna and Cristalda, are the step up. Each has a panoramic whirlpool tub, a king-size bed, a walk-in closet and a terrace facing the sea, with a swing. Suite Luna adds a panoramic chaise longue. How many of each suite exist is not confirmed here, so ask which ones are free on your dates.

In L’Isola Experience, the penthouse is the largest unit: 200 m² facing the sea, with three king-size beds and two bathrooms. The Klein suite takes its name from the blue of the French painter Yves Klein. It faces the sea and has a panoramic whirlpool tub.

Eating and drinking

The restaurant cooks dishes from the Gargano and Vieste tradition, with fresh fish and ingredients from local suppliers. Once a week the Giardino dei Carrubi, the carob garden, hosts a rustic dinner.

Stays are sold as bed and breakfast, half board or full board.

By the water, the Fico d’India beach club serves Puglian cooking and Vieste specialties, and you can lunch by the sea. It has a bar corner with background music, and it is also hired out for events. The pool has its own bar.

The setting

The hotel faces the bay of Portonuovo, and the beach club has more than 8,000 m² of sand.

The hotel lists a semi-Olympic pool in a garden, ringed by sunbeds and umbrellas, a tennis court, a TV room, a private park and a playground. A relax area is open to guests. Pool hours are not published, so ask when you arrive.

For outings it points to Vieste, the Pizzomunno and the trabucchi. It also suggests the Tremiti Islands: San Nicola, San Domino and Capraia.

Good to know

• Reception is open 24 hours, and the hotel describes its staff as discreet and welcoming.
• The Fico d’India beach club is hired out for events, so ask whether one falls on your dates.
• Bed and breakfast, half board and full board are all offered.
• The hotel says it takes families, couples and groups of friends.
• The services page lists a pool, tennis court, TV room, private park and playground.
• Pool hours, children’s policies and pets are not confirmed here.
• Opening months are not confirmed. Ask before you plan a shoulder-season trip.
• Price band: 2 of 5 (estimated: no official rate found).

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

It suits families with children who want a pool, a playground and a beach in one place, and couples who prefer a panoramic tub and a sea terrace to a masseria. Groups who want a beach club for an event have an option too.

For an adults-only retreat or a farm stay, look elsewhere. For a larger family program, compare Gattarella Family Resort, and for a small hotel inside Vieste’s old town see Hotel Seggio. The Gargano hub lists the rest.

Getting there

Hotel Gargano is at Portonuovo near Vieste, on the Gargano. Its own directions list Bari Palese airport first.

You need a car.

By road the hotel gives the Poggio Imperiale exit of the A14, then the Superstrada Garganica through Peschici to Vieste. For the train it names the stations of Foggia and San Severo, with a bus on to Vieste. Check the bus with the hotel before you rely on it.