We booked the holiday as part of a package through an Irish tour company and it would be unfair to slate the hotel as I don't know what the deal between the tour company and the Hotel included. So I am giving my view allowing for this. This is not a beach holiday destination. The shoreline is very rocky for some kilometres in both directions and you would be very hard pressed to find any sand whatsoever.

The hotel was a very large farmhouse restored and converted to a hotel somewhere around 20/30 years ago and is beginning to show it. The overall impression of the hotel when we first arrived at night was good. The rooms are really large and comfortable with a double bed and a single nicely tucked away, a safe, fridge and TV. and we had a massive balcony overlooking the central access area which was occasionally lit up. The small wardrobe with five hangers and three small drawers, meant we used the single bed for our clothes. The swimming pool was large and fairly safe with deep end under 6 foot and a lifeguard on duty all day. Plenty of sun beds around the perimeter of the pool and the slide and flume was switched on by request.

The pool kiosk was poorly stocked with anything, meaning the staff member had to go the main hotel for a bottle of beer or a sandwich. So you could be there for 20 minutes.

This apparently, is a newish tourist destination area and it showed. The Una Regina is in an urban area with very little around it and a busy road. The hotel wine bar was completely closed, the hotel bar (a small extension to the restaurant) which consisted of two stools, in the reception area with a three piece suit facing a TV showing endless football matches and three other small tables and chairs.

The bar only sold bottled beer and ran out of spirits the second night, we are not alcoholics by the way. The bar closed at 11.30pm every night yet the functions went on to 2/3am. This is a hotel that relies on local trade and business to the detriment of tourists. There is nowhere to stroll in the evening, certainly no sights, bars or restaurants to visit in the immediate area. No Hotel entertainment meaning we as a group felt isolated. The hotels tries to compensate for this by running a free shuttle service on request to and from Torre a Mare, which is also a sleepy town.

The evening meals arranged by the tour company were very bland and lacking finest. However other guests seemed to fair better. The spa had limited opening hours which didn't suit us so we didn't use it .

The management have a lot to learn and the hotel has space and character to include any changes. Would we return to this hotel as it is I am afraid not but if you want solitude it could be for you. The heel of Italy is very different and worth visiting with some outstanding places to visit.