Posia Retreat & SPA

What the property says

Posia Retreat & SPA stands on the waterfront road in San Foca. The hotel describes itself as designed like a private villa overlooking the Adriatic, and says its views take in the Salento sea.

Inside, the first thing you meet is a vertical living wall of tropical plants in the lobby. The interiors are bright, with contemporary and designer furnishings, and the hotel says its vistas reach the peaks of the Balkans.

The full name is Posia Retreat & SPA | UNA Esperienze, and the hotel is listed by UNA Italian Hospitality.

The rooms

The 23 rooms and suites start with Deluxe rooms, including a Deluxe with sea view, and Grand Deluxe rooms looking over the pool or a private waterfall. The Grand Deluxe rooms list free Wi-Fi and an HD smart TV. Some rooms have a private terrace facing the Adriatic.

The odd one is a ground-floor room in a quiet area with a private mini-pool, which is not heated, and a large veranda. If you travel with children, ask how many guests it takes, since the hotel does not say on the pages we read.

At the top are two suites facing the sea. The Grand Suite Posia on the first floor measures 58 m², and the Suite Mora on the second floor measures 52 m². Each has a living area that looks onto the hall’s green wall and a walk-in closet.

Food and drink

Aura is the main restaurant, with a sea view and a waterfall on the hotel’s outer wall. It serves breakfast, and lunch and dinner of contemporary Italian-inspired dishes that the hotel describes as creative and gourmet.

The Green Bar sits under the plant wall for an aperitivo, and the ICONICA terrace has an outdoor lounge open to hotel and outside guests. On the beach, Mora Mora Bistro del Mare serves Salento seafood cuisine in a contemporary key, with seasonal, mostly local products.

Vegan and vegetarian menus are available. Ask when you book for the beach bistro’s hours. The rooftop lounge, NUI, is positioned by the hotel for private events.

The setting

San Foca is a seaside locality of Melendugno, and the hotel sits on the Lungomare Matteotti. The private Mora Mora beach is described as steps from the hotel, with white sand and clear water.

The heated infinity pool on the roof looks out to the sea. It is adults-only, with limited access by reservation. The Sky Pool is unheated and open to children.

The spa runs from an indoor 34 °C pool with water blades and a jacuzzi to a Japanese-style outdoor garden, a cabana, a sauna, a Turkish bath and a Finnish shower.

Good to know

• The heated rooftop pool is adults-only and access is limited, by reservation.
• The Sky Pool is unheated and fully accessible to children. The mini-pool room’s pool is also unheated.
• Mora Mora beach is private. Ask for the beach bistro’s hours.
• A Technogym fitness area is open 24 hours, with a personal trainer on request.
• A charging station for electric cars is available to guests, and the hotel announces a Porsche Destination Charging partnership that lets Porsche owners charge for free.
• Vegan and vegetarian menus are available.
• More than 40% of the hotel’s hot water is heated by solar energy.
• Not confirmed here: pets, opening months and weddings.
• Price band: 3 of 5 (estimated: no official rate found).

Is it right for you?

It suits couples who want the sea first and the city second: a private beach, two pools and a spa in one place. If you travel with children, ask about ages first; the unheated Sky Pool is open to them, while the adults-only rooftop pool works by reservation.

Look elsewhere if you want old-town Lecce on foot, because the hotel is on the coast and Lecce needs a car. Tivoli Palazzo 1880 Lecce is in the historic center and has a spa. For a masseria, Masseria Borgo Sentinella is in nearby Torre dell’Orso.

Getting there

San Foca is in Melendugno, on Lecce and the North Salento coast. You will want a car here, both to reach Lecce and to explore the coast.

The hotel stands on the seafront road, Lungomare Matteotti. Reserve the rooftop pool ahead. If golf is part of the plan, the hotel points to the Acaya Golf Club nearby.