Centro Vacanze Poker

Frequented mostly by Italians, the Centro Vacanze Poker offers a relaxing beach vacation in a sharp package with a laid-back atmosphere. The largest property in the area, the hotel is a mini-village of sorts, with low-rise white buildings set about nicely landscaped grounds that include wild grass, low hills, and wispy Mediterranean trees. There is a camper park, and a large children’s playground and elaborate dog park, all contributing to the homey, vacation-village atmosphere. That being said, there's an exceptional amount of style here for a seaside holiday resort. 

The modern atmosphere is apparent right away in the hotel's small lobby, which has a colorful reception area and casual clusters of seating throughout its breezy, open-air lounges and hallways, The restaurant is beautiful, featuring arched, vibrantly painted and modern portraits that are stylishly unfinished. All chairs are covered in white cloth and pre-set round tables. The dining area expands to the patio, surrounding a smaller saltwater pool. There are a few different bar areas, casual and brightly painted, where guests sip cocktails in the evenings and dance to live DJs on busy weekend nights. Although the property gets busy, it is not noisy or overcrowded. With the variety of features and accommodations, the hotel attracts everyone from families and couples to groups of friends.

The hotel sits on a private beach just outside the main area of Casalbordino Lido. While there's not much right near the hotel, it's only a 10-minute walk to the restaurants and bars lining Via Bachelet in town. Other hotels also line the road. The Casalbordino-Pollutri train station is a three-minute drive from the hotel, or 15-minute walk, while Punta Aderci national park is a 10-minute drive down the coast in the opposite direction. Porto di Vasto’s harbor is about a 10-minute drive, and from there it's possible to catch a ferry to the Tremiti Islands. It is a 35-minute drive to the town of Lanciano and a little more than an hour’s drive to Pescara and Abruzzo Airport. The small coastal town of Vasto is about a 20-minute drive away. The property is almost a three-hour drive to Naples and Rome.

Let's be honest: When it comes to seaside resorts in the Mediterranean, there can be wild variations in style and quality. There are hundreds of outdated, fusty, and downright drab resorts along some of the most beautiful beaches in the world throughout the region. That's not the case here. The 120 rooms at the Centro Vacanze Poker are all contemporary, with bright design notes, funky color schemes, and bold Pop Art-inspired accents across all categories. 

The look will change from room to room, but expect to see details like terra cotta tiles and bold antiqued furniture (like in the Suite India that we visited), beachy rooms with turquoise accent walls that pop against an abundance of white (the Double Room that we visited), or bright orange walls hung with graphic-print canvases (like the Three-Person Room). All rooms include contemporary furniture that complements the overall look, and additions like four-poster beds draped with mosquito netting add a romantic or whimsical touch in some rooms. Other rooms employ vintage-style fabrics in bedding, or bold comic-book style art, in sharp and cheerful ways.

All rooms have some sort of tiled patio with furniture that makes for a fine place to relax alfresco. They also include air-conditioning, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and some sort of coffee-making facility (higher-category rooms have Nespresso machines). Apartment-style units have kitchenettes with stovetops and dishware. Some rooms include extra perks like hot tubs. Bathrooms also vary from category to category, and many are white-tile units with small walk-in showers and generous space around sinks. We did spot a good deal of dirty grout in some of the showers. Certain rooms, like the Suite India we visited, have sharp bathrooms that continue the theme of the room, with vessel sinks and vibrant tilework.

Most travelers arrive here because of the hotel's seaside setting -- and it's quite lovely. Two sand volleyball courts lead to the beach, which is beautiful and peaceful, with lounge chairs and umbrellas, although not many people swim here as it's covered in pebbles, and rocks jut out from the shallow water. The outdoor pool is large and clover-shaped, surrounded by a handful of permanent cabanas, potted tropical plants, and tall palm trees. This village-like hotel has plenty of kid-friendly amenities, including a children’s outdoor pool and elaborate playground, family-oriented live entertainment, and beach games. 

The hotel offers a large buffet spread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a continental breakfast is included in room rates. There are two bars serving cocktails, beer, and wine, which can also be delivered to the main outdoor pool and smaller saltwater pools. The property has a large park for campers and a fenced-in dog park. Those looking for other ways to stay active have a number of choices, including rental bikes and a variety of water-sports equipment, like canoes. The property also has an outdoor amphitheater for live music and family entertainment, and often serves as a wedding venue in the summer. There is also a bazaar area with mini market and souvenir shop. 

Wi-Fi is only free in the hotel's public areas. Parking is also free.