Punta Sampieri Pozzallo SNC, Sampieri, Italy | (937) 315-4602
Private beach offers a wonderful respite
Three large swimming pools, one Olympic-sized
On-site activities include canoeing, archery, tennis, and volleyball
Evening entertainment in amphitheater and piano bar
Gorgeous, huge spa with several whirlpools
Gym-sized fitness center
Fabulous patio dining area surrounded by manicured lawn
Breakfast buffet is crowded
Some rooms look and feel old and dated
Elevators old and dated
Far from town and generally isolated
Fee for in-room Internet
For families and vacationers who want easy access to dining and activities, Baia Samuele is a solid choice. This all-inclusive property gets crowded and is particularly popular with Italian families. Even when the lobby or breakfast buffet is packed, there is always a respite to be found somewhere. The property has beautiful patios, an Olympic-sized pool, getting a spa, and a huge fitness area, as well as a private beach. Rooms are clean and cheerful, though they don't live up to the four-star advertising. Note that the hotel is rather isolated, with the nearest town a 10-minute drive away.
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Scene
Resort ambience with manicured lawns and natural landscape in the distance
Sprawling across several acres, the Baia Samuele is like a village, complete with streets, walkways, manicured landscaping, and more trees and grass than you’re likely to find in all the rest of southeastern Sicily. From the outside, the property resembles a melon-colored college campus. Inside, antique style furniture, classic mosaic tile floors, pillars, and unique wallhangings and decor give it a distinctly Italian feel. All of the interior features bright paint in shades of melon, sky blue, and pale yellow and enormously wide hallways divided by arches. The expansiveness of the hallways and certain spaces feel spartan and some areas could use a bit more decoration.
Location
Village-style resort 10 minutes by car from the nearest town
Baia Samuele is indeed a village unto itself and there aren't any attractions within walking distance. The nearest actual town –- Punta Sampieri –- is a 10-minute drive away, while getting to Modica Ragusa takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. The Catania Airport can be reached in an hour and a half if traffic is light. The town of Pozzallo in less than a half hour to the east and Cava d’aliga is a half hour to the west. The Marina di Modica is an easy 10-minute drive.
Rooms
Large and larger, all with balconies
There are 320 rooms and suites at the Baia Samuele. All are spacious and each comes with a balcony, Internet access (for a fee), a mini-fridge, air-conditioning, and a flat-screen TV. Rooms have parquet or tile floors and some have hokey prints of pineapples and palm trees, while others have seascape prints on the walls. That Standard Triple Room we saw had a cheerful decor in yellow and coral. The "cottages" are not actually individual units as the name suggests, but they do have patios and two or three bedrooms. Rooms are clean and colorful although some fixtures and furnishings look a bit worn.
Features
Private beach, children's activities, and an expansive spa
Baia Samuele is resort but feels like its own town, with a bazaar and boutique selling unique local handicrafts and gifts. There's also a kids club and sport activities for guests of all ages, including archery, basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Medical facilities and a pediatrician are also available, should the need arise.
The private beach is large and equipped with deck chairs, umbrellas, and boats for guest use. There's also a beachside restaurant open for lunch (except on Saturday) and a number of other dining areas with buffets for all three meals (all-inclusive options available). The fitness center is enormous, as is the spa, which offers a myriad of health and beauty treatments. The spa also has a thalassotherapy pool, sensory showers, mud baths, and a sauna. The property is equipped to host events and there's a large conference room as well as several meeting rooms. Parking is abundant and free.
