Resort CDSHotels Pietrablu Resort & SPA

Stayed at the Peitroblu resort and Spa at Polignano a Mar for seven nights in October 2024, this being the chosen accommodation for the Rail Discoveries holiday to "Undiscovered Southern Italy, all inclusive”. Prior to my visit, I did read some indifferent reviews of all aspects of the resort and the facilities offered. Suffice to say, I need not have worried. I have covered the holiday, itinerary and included excursions under a separate review hence this one is just about the Peitroblu resort and Spa. The resort was excellent, immaculately clean and tidy, in the rooms, reception, bar and indoor and outdoor public areas. The gardens in particular were very well manicured, with a variety of flora and fauna to enhance the exterior look of the resort. The resort is right on the Adriatic coast. The main pool was open as was the Jacuzzi, the sun lounges and outside tables and chairs, allowing us to enjoy the mild and sunny October weather although the pool, in front of the bar area, to be honest, was just a bit too cold for me. Some guests did, however, try it out. There was no pool music, nor any children (one of the criticisms of other reviews), although the resort was very busy with up to four Rail Discoveries tours in at once as well as other parties. There was access from the resort to the Adriatic water front. At least six rabbits and three cats completed the external scene. The cats would congregate around the outside of the bar entrance so as to get loads of fuss as we went in and out. As for our apartment, it was big, with a separate sitting room area with sofa and table (I believe the sofa pulled out to become a bed but we didn't try it), a fridge, a king sized bed, two televisions, a good shower with both a rain head and a conventional detachable head, hair dryer and serviced every day with fresh towels (as required). There was also tea and coffee making facilities, a programmable safe, plenty of wardrobe storage space and worktops. The bedroom had a patio door which opened out into a balcony with table and two chairs plus an airer. There was an air conditioning unit in the bedroom but we did not need this during our October stay. Here was no microwave but, as we were all inclusive, this didn’t matter. The food, served at breakfast, lunch and dinner was all buffet style. The offerings were ethnic classical Italian dishes plus a variety of other dishes, all beautiful prepared and cooked, with bottles of house wine placed on the tables, ready for the guests as they arrived. Breakfasts were similar every day; fruit, muesli, cereals, yoghurts, bread, pastries, jams, marmalade, honey, cheeses, colds meats, croissants, sausages, bacon, scrambled egg, beans (in a very nice sauce), fried mushrooms and a wide variety of salads. An omelette station was also available, freshly made to order. Lunches and dinners were much more varied with pasta dishes being offered (including one of the best lasagne I've ever had) as well as an assortment of fish and meat dishes. There were “specials” on most evenings, including stir fries, rice, spicy sausages plus many more. In summary regarding the food; it was simply amazing. The bar area by the pool was the only one open in October and was quite small but there was usually plenty of seating in the bar and just outside in the quieter areas. There was a pool table just inside the bar seating area. The bar area also included additional rooms, which we occasionally used during briefings by the Tour Manager. There was plenty of outside seating around the pool and the evening weather was usually warm enough for us to enjoy the views of the Adriatic coast. We had the “all inclusive” deal which included complementary wines and beers and cocktails from 10:00 to 22:00 every day and evening. The staff in reception, the bar, the restaurant and in the grounds were all very pleasant, helpful and attentive. We had one free day on the holiday which we used to do the excellent Mammamia boat trip, which was organised for us by the resort reception staff. There were a few complaints about the resort but many of them were trivial and really not valid when looking at the bigger picture of the holiday. Finally, I looked what we paid for this, for the flights, the lovely resort, all inclusive, fully escorted, all excursions, open bar for 12 hours and beautiful Italian weather. Apart from the €80 spent on the boat trip, we spent hardly any other significant amounts of money save for tips and the odd souvenir. All in all, this is a superb resort and I would thoroughly recommend a stay here for anyone looking to visit this part of Italy. Just a few notes (both positive and negative) for potential visitors. Check in to the resort is at 16:00 but, as we were early and the rooms were no all ready, we were given a complementary lunch (which was not part of the package on the 1st day) and reception securely stored our luggage until the rooms were ready, following which the luggage was transported to our rooms. The bar was also available for us from the moment we arrived. Some reviews I've read stated that the Rail Discoveries and other group guests were treated differently during service, for example, being given their drinks in plastics beakers rather than wine or beer glasses. This was not the case. Plastic beakers are given to those who are drinking near the pool area, hence this is merely a safety issue and not discriminatory against Rail Discoveries guests. Proper wine and beer glasses were in use in the bar area. The nearest town, Polignano a Mar, is about 4.9 km (3 miles) away and there is a regular shuttle bus from the resort (on the hour), returning from the town (15 minutes past the hour), except during siesta. The shuttle bus was complementary for the Rail Discoveries guests but I’m unsure if this applies to independent guests as well. I did here there may be a €10 charge but I cannot confirm this. It is possible to walk from the resort to the town of Polignano a Mar but not advisable, even though the side road is not very busy, there is no pathway along the majority of the road. As far as I could ascertain, there is no public transport between the Peitroblu resort and Polignano a Mar and a taxi will cost about €31.00 one way. The resort is right on the Adriatic coast with access to a beach area, although not directly in front of the resort, rather about 100 meters to the south (to the right). Decaffeinated tea and coffee can be ordered on request in the dining room during meal times. There was no decaffeinated tea and coffee available in the rooms. We are not the sort to bring a load of “British” stuff with us but, with experience of this, we did bring our own decaffeinated tea bags just to be sure. I didn’t ask for any decaffeinated drinks from reception but I’m sure they would have done their best to provide if necessary. Likewise, the milk available in the rooms is powered. We just went and bought a litre of the real stuff and put it in the fridge. The wine on the tables at lunch and dinner is generally red but a white alterative is freely available on request. The dining room was very noisy, so much so that making conversation with other guests was difficult, even those sitting close by. We got to the stage where conversation was abandoned, we just enjoyed the fantastic food and socialised in the bar after dinner. I note that, on the 2025 Rail Discoveries rail tour information, it appears the Pietrablu Resort and Spa will not be used, rather a resort nearer Monopoli, which, in my opinion, is a shame, not just for the resort but also for the lovely staff that worked so hard to make our holiday so enjoyable. I hope they have continued employment should this happen.