Esperia Palace Hotel

The Hotel Esperia Palace has a busy, family-oriented feel, with kids' activities and dining options. Guests congregate around the huge, lagoon-style outdoor pool with swim-up bar and waterfall, bordered by a lushly landscaped, expansive sun terrace. Despite its bustling atmosphere, the hotel is not overcrowded -- there are always enough lounge chairs and parasols on the deck. A convivial feel extends to the colorful buffet restaurant with pool views, and the evening entertainment -- complete with piano bar, open-air theater, and dancing. The private Mediterranean beach is a short stroll from the hotel, and has white sand and clear, calm waters for swimming.

Hotel Esperia Palace is set on the Ionian coast in the Salento region of Italy's heel, which encompasses the university city of Lecce and several coastal towns. The hotel itself is on a flat stretch of land near a coastal preserve, surrounded by clear, turquoise Mediterranean waters. The town of Lido Marini is a short stroll west, and offers restaurants, bars, and clubs on the beach, while the hotel's private beach is about a ten-minute walk south. Ugento, a harbor town with an historic fresco and lighthouse, is seven-and-a-half miles north, while the baroque churches of Lecce are 45 miles north. Salento Airport in Brindisi is about a 90-minute drive north.

The Hotel Esperia Palace is an all-inclusive resort, so it places an emphasis on dining and recreational facilities. Therefore its 144 rooms are simply decorated with browns and golds, generic furniture, bare walls, and outdated TVs -- not LCD flat-screen. However, rooms are fairly spacious and all have balconies, some with pool views. Bathrooms are basic but modern with showers, and rooms have mini-fridges and safes. Wi-Fi is not available in the rooms, but can be accessed in public spaces for free. The suite has a four-poster bed, living room, and jetted tub in the bathroom.

The hotel's focal point is its immense, lagoon-style outdoor swimming pool with swim-up bar and waterfall. A private beach, set on a calm stretch of the Mediterranean, is a ten-minute walk away. The hotel's all-inclusive plan covers meals (Italian and regional cuisine) and most drinks in the buffet restaurant, which has a kid's menu. Elsewhere children are well cared for, with planned activities such as ecological lessons, puppet theater, and dances for different age groups. Adults can keep active with the tennis/soccer court, boat and bicycle rentals (fee), and various fitness classes -- the on-site gym is modern but lacks natural light. The hotel has a lively, party atmosphere at night, with a piano bar and dancing, and there's an open-air theater with occasional performances. Parking is free for one car per room, but be aware of June-September fees for use of the beach, pool, sports facilities, and nightly entertainment.