I stayed at the Hotel Giulivo in Baia Domizia in August 2026 and I can say, without hesitation, that it was one of the most disappointing hotel experiences of recent years. Not because of a single incident, but because of a series of aspects that, at least during our stay, seemed to me decidedly far from what one would expect from a four-star hotel. The first impact is with the reception: staff often rude and a quantity of “rules” and “policies” applied with a rigidity that reminds one more of a barracks than a hotel. To any request, instead of looking for a reasonable solution, there always seems to be a rule to oppose the customer. An emblematic example: it is even forbidden to receive an outside family member, even a first-degree relative, to have an aperitif together at the hotel bar. Curiously, however, the outside guest can enter if they come for lunch or dinner. Considering then the prices charged, the thing leaves one even more perplexed: 22 euros for a plate of meatballs seems frankly disproportionate to me! Even more unpleasant was what happened at the restaurant: a main course was indicated on the menu at 17 euros, but on the bill it became 22 euros. When we asked for an explanation, we were told that “the prices on the menu are not updated.” I find it unacceptable that it is the customer who discovers, only after having consumed, that the price listed on the menu does not correspond to the one actually charged. Lunch and dinner are also assigned a strictly mandatory hour, contributing to that feeling of extremely rigid and standardized organization that accompanies the entire stay. The restaurant environment, moreover, is anything but pleasant: a cold and impersonal atmosphere and terrible acoustics. During our stay, there were also numerous particularly noisy groups, with the result that at times the environment reminded us more of a large low-cost facility organized for groups than a four-star hotel in which to spend a relaxing vacation. And if you are looking for tranquility at least in the evening, unfortunately, it does not get any better. From the pool area comes the din of the entertainment music, which during our stay sometimes lasted even until one in the morning. It is understandable that a hotel offers evening entertainment, much less that this happens at a volume and until a time that compromises the rest of the other guests. The dining room service often appeared inexperienced. Many of the waiters are very young, apparently still in hotel training, perhaps willing, but with little familiarity with a service that should be that of a four-star hotel. The problem, naturally, is not the young people, but the organization that should support them and guarantee a level of service appropriate to the declared category. The cleanliness, maintenance, and comfort of the room also left us decidedly dissatisfied. We found dust on the floor and hair, and we did not receive clear information on the frequency of the change of sheets. The bathroom also showed obvious signs of age, particularly in the fixtures, while the pipes visible under the sink appeared encrusted: details difficult to reconcile, in my opinion, with the standards expected from a four-star establishment. The bed also deserves a separate note. The mattress is completely devoid of a topper and only has a sort of thin plasticized protection, similar to an oilcloth, which in our experience does not improve comfort at all and, on the contrary, significantly increases the feeling of heat during the night. A detail that is anything but secondary in a seaside resort during the summer period. At breakfast, we also found cakes displayed without the name, ingredients, or allergens being clearly indicated. Even here, very little would be enough to offer a more attentive and professional service. Then there is the parking chapter, another example of bureaucracy applied without particular flexibility: we were told that only those who use a car strictly registered to the guest can park. It is natural to ask: and what about those who use a leased, rented, company car, or one simply lent to guests or made available to them for their stay by a relative living in the area? Even in this case, the “rule” seems to prevail over common sense. And this is precisely the central point of my review. At the Hotel Giulivo, I constantly had the feeling that it is the customer who has to adapt to the hotel, rather than the hotel taking care of the customer. Faced with any need that deviates even slightly from the expected pattern, the staff seems to take refuge in “policies,” rather than looking for a solution dictated by common sense and that culture of hospitality that should be the basis of the hotel business. A four-star rating should not be just a classification displayed at the entrance. It should mean thorough cleaning, maintenance, comfort, professionalism, price transparency, tranquility, and, above all, courtesy and a culture of hospitality. Unfortunately, we found mostly rigidity, bureaucracy, noise, approximate maintenance, unwelcoming environments, and a service overall very far from our expectations. We will not return and, based on our personal experience, we cannot recommend it. Terrible overall judgment!
