Corso Venezia, 81, Fronte Corso Lungomare, Torre Vado, Italy | (888) 551-4925
Private beach a 10-minute walk from hotel; shuttle bus also available
Near town of Torre Vado (eight-minute walk or accessible via public bus)
Intimate atmosphere of smaller hotel built around a pretty swimming pool
Restaurant generally receives favorable reviews
Small spa offering a variety of body treatments
Free Wi-Fi in common areas
Lots of outdoor places to sit, including a rooftop deck and garden
Tiny fitness center
Air-conditioning delivered only at set hours, which may be late in the evening for some
Fee for mandatory club card which gives access to majority of amenities
No native bathroom or snack facilities at private beach (though nearby facilities readily available)
The modestly sized Cala Saracena Resort is near a variety of Salento beaches and within walking distance of the miniscule port town and resort of Torre Vado. This resort is slightly different from its competitors in that it is perched slightly above the water in one of the rockier areas of the coastline, and so has the advantage of views and a certain amount of cloistered privacy. There is a pretty outdoor pool and clean, spartan rooms each have a kitchenette and an outdoor space. The hotel is only open seasonally.
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Scene
Small, attractive, seasonal hotel
Harboring aesthetic surprises at multiple turns, this hotel is relatively small and well-suited to families with children because of size, entertainment options, and proximity to the beach as well as to the town of Torre Vado. The property is based around a modestly-sized dipping pool, over which the outdoor balconies adjacent to all rooms have views. In keeping with its seasonal nature, the grounds privilege the outdoors: the lobby is flanked by sliding glass doors, slatted wood guards protect the exterior staircase to the rooms, and there are a large number of places to repose outdoors, including around the pool and on the roof deck.
Location
An eight-minute walk from the center of the resort town of Torre Vado
Cala Saracena is part of a strip of resorts that constitute the offerings of nearby Torre Vado, which in turn comprises one of the towns of Salento’s summer coast. Set along a dusty road, it sits within easy proximity of the casual resort town of Torre Vado; those who don’t want to take the eight-minute walk may hop on a local bus. This property is one of the rare local hotels that has a tall position with nice sea views.
Rooms
Small, spare roooms with minimal furniture; some have particularly nice views
Pink ceramic tile lends a somewhat institutional feel to rooms that are already on the spartan side, with minimal furniture, laminate built-ins, and tiny tube TVs. A common complaint is that the air-conditioning is regulated and doesn’t begin in the evenings until quite late at night. However, guests have commented favorably on the cleanliness of the rooms, all of which have a tiny kitchenette that includes two convection hotplates and basic dining equipment, as well as an outdoor space, some of which are flanked by the abundant vegetation on the property.
Features
A small pool, a tiny fitness center, a nearby private beach, and a spa
Guests have noted that, while the menu is limited, the on-site restaurant is generally good. The small pool, which constitutes the center of the structure, is more suitable for dipping than for swimming, and is surrounded by a good handful of deck chairs. A tiny fitness center with a spectacular view through floor-to-ceiling windows has a stationary bike, a nautilus machine, and a couple of other pieces of equipment. The spa has a sauna and a whirlpool. Many families have commented on the excellence of the entertainment for the children, though some have noted the noise can sometimes be disturbing to nonparticipating guests.
