I can not answer directly to your requests since I am not the one who wrote the reviews you mentioned (!), but some years ago I spent my summer vacations near Badolato - in S. Andrea sullo Ionio.
Badolato is a small hilltop medieval town just 5/10 min drive to the nearest sandy beaches in Badolato Marina. Wow...the see there is as torquoise as in a Caribbean island!
The village itself is very small and quiet but really nice so if you fancy for lively nights you have to go to Soverato (many pubs, discos...and people!) By the way, here you find some useful info on Badolato.
I am planning a several week trip to southern Italy next February or March..We prefer a non touristy town that has some restaurants and is not too steep..Ostuni will be a stop for us..I am now looking at the other coast..Any suggestions will be welcome..is Badolato very steep??