Castello di Ugento

An inspired and imaginative restoration project has turned this 17th-century castle in Puglia not only into a luxury hotel and museum but a world-class cookery school open to everyone. 'The culinary reputation of Castello di Ugento is growing very fast, our Chef has been invited again to NY and soon to Cape Town to do dinners and show cookings. Both Il Tempo Nuovo restaurant and the Puglia Culinary Centre have become a food lovers MUST destination.' Diana Bianchi, Owner.

Surrounded by olive groves and some of Italy's most beautiful coastline Castello di Ugento is one of the best boutique hotels in Puglia. This five-star luxury historical monument has been transformed into a luxury hotel with nine contemporary rooms and suites encased within the ancient castle walls. The experience is as unique as it is luxurious and it's clear to see from the exquisite attention to detail throughout, that the owners have poured their heart and soul into this project. Lovingly restored and decorated, the rooms boast pieces from some of the best Italian designers including B&B Italia, Minotti and Cassina which are complemented by a carefully curated selection of vintage and antique furniture. The renovated wing of the castle is home to the ground floor rooms which are close to the aromatic gardens and open onto a cobbled courtyard. If it's star-vaulted ceilings you're after book Corte Giardino or Master Suite della Rosa which have a small patio. Private terraces are reserved for the Piano Nobile Suites which are on the first floor and have sweeping views across the rooftops of Castello di Ugento.

Talented Chef Tommaso Sanguedolce works his magic in Castello di Ugento’s restaurant Il Tempo Nuovo where he combines traditional Pugliese dishes with a contemporary twist. Dine in the hall in the Norman tower with its crystal floor, or in the theatrical setting of the castle courtyard. The Puglia Culinary Centre is so much more than an Italian cookery school. No expense has been spared in the state-of-the-art kitchens where bespoke cooking classes take place. The focus is always on seasonal local ingredients and the chefs are as talented as they are passionate.

Make use of the knowledgeable concierge who can organise tailor-made activities and open doors that are closed to many, including private tours of Salento's secret corners. Wander through the frescoed halls of the museum wing and savour a chilled Tramonto Aperitivo in the fragrant walled garden as the sun sets. Take a ride to the coast and soak up the sun on the white sandy beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Ionian Sea. If you're keen for a dip in the pool or to keep up with your fitness routine visit the gym at nearby sister property Masseria Le Mandorle, which also has a tennis court.

 

Written by Lulu Townsend

• Restrictions on children
• Children over the age of 10 can be accommodated in extra beds in two of the rooms
• Restaurant
• The superb Il Tempo Nuovo serves contemporary, gourmet Pugliese cuisine.
• Wedding license
• A stunning location for weddings.
• Massage
• Bath robes
• Parking
• Family Suites
• Bar
• Fireplace
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Airport transfer
• Walking distance restaurants
• Hairdresser/Beauty Salon
• Meeting Room
• No pets

• Library
• Bicycle hire
• Sit-out Terrace
• Suites
• Garden
• Room service
• Disabled access
• Safe
• Concierge
• Satellite / Cable TV
• Wifi
• Views
• Business Centre
• Air conditioning

• Sights nearby
• The cathedral towers over an elegant square and Byzantine and Baroque churches can be seen down tiny alleyways
• Cycling
• Hire some bikes to take in as much of this beautiful town and surrouding coastline as you can!
• Museums
• The town houses a state-of-the-art archaeological museum in an old Franciscan monastery
• Snorkelling
• Head to the nearby beaches for a swim and some snorkelling
• Cooking classes
• The castle houses a state-of-the-art cookery school

• Local markets
• Great walks
• Wine tasting
• Close to nightlife

Why do people love staying in your hotel? At Castello di Ugento our guests feel they are wrapped in history and yet cuddled in most contemporary comfort and attention to care. Castello is a family home where architecture, art, design, botanics and culinary excellence come together and allow our visitors to live in the most historic Apulian castle turned palace close to the beauty of the Ionian sea and restored to its glory by its owners. More than a hotel it is a home in which they are invited to share and be part of history.

What is there to do in the area or on site? The Puglia Culinary Centre and Castello’s fine dining restaurant is reason enough to come to Castello. We have the most sophisticated teaching kitchens in Puglia and create cooking classes like nowhere else for all food enthusiasts. See our website for more details and write us to enquire about classes. The white sandy beaches of the Ionian, the tip of the heel at Santa Maria di Leuca, at only 25 minutes from the Castello, the myriad small towns each with its own beautiful piazza and history and of course the proximity with Lecce at only 40 minutes are all gems in our region. The area known as Salento is very rich in treasures to explore not least the authentic and protected town of Ugento’s with its museum of archeology. Ugento has been the centre stage of all passages to the orient since the Messapian civilisation dating back to 800bC and an ancient crypt has been discovered as well that can be visited. Olive oil tastings, wine tastings, hiking, biking, boating along both coasts the Ionian and the Adriatic make a stay at Castello di Ugento unforgettable.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Exec. Chef Tommaso Sanguedolce of our restaurant Il Tempo Nuovo puts all his passion into sourcing the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients to propose a large variety of dishes as well as a lovely a la carte breakfast menu. Choices of freshly squeezed juices, sweet and savory plates, seasonal fruit baskets, homemade breads, cakes, marmalades are all part of a rich buffet open for hours in the morning.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Dinner is a highlight at Castello not to be missed: whether seated in the majestic courtyard or on the glass floor of the dining room peering into the uncovered Norman tower discovered in 2015, his menus are the result of his fine interpretation of Pugliese traditional dishes using only local and seasonal ingredients. Everything at Castello is homemade from the breads to the desserts. Wine pairing suggestions are offered with the menu and the best seating of the house for this experience is to choose the Chef’s Table while watching Chef Tommaso and his team create before your very eyes.

Which is your most popular room, and why? Like in all homes our rooms are all different and each has its charm. They range in size and all have the same attention to detail and offer the finest comfort: ensuite bathrooms with walk in monsoon showers, finest Pugliese linens and organic toiletries in addition to many amenities. The Master Suite Alcova di Diana, on the Piano Nobile in the private apartment wing is particularly special as it is a vast suite overlooking the courtyard and the rooftops of Ugento and allows its guests to experience a sense of baroque history as did the family in the late 17th century when the bedrooms were created.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? We are happy to welcome children from the ages of 11, and we can fit a third bed in the rooms il Pellicano, il Giardino, and Suite della Rosa. All our guests may also of course enjoy the facilities at Masseria le Mandorle, our sister property where children are most welcome, just 5 minutes by car from Castello. At le Mandorle we have a pool, a tennis court, a jacuzzi on a beautiful terrace facing the sunset as well as a traditional Pugliese restaurant that serves lunch and dinner and a wood burning oven for pizzas and breads.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? Come visit us in the heart of Salento close to the loveliest beaches in Puglia…let yourself be wrapped in the d’Amore family history and let us take care of your journey with experiences we will curate for you. You will leave taking a piece of history with you and having experienced the finest culinary moments of your journey.