Puglia

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Credit: Flickr user Paolo Margari

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About Puglia

What's remarkable about Puglia is just how many of its masserias, beautifully fortified farmhouse estates, have been converted into hotels in the last 20 years, and what fantastic places to stay they are. Characterised by a tall, square, solid central block, surrounded by outbuildings, which range from quite aristocratic to traditional peasant trulli structures with their conical roofs, these are definitely some of the best places to stay in Puglia if you’re looking for a traditional, or historic base. Puglia is also known for its converted palazzos — more common in the towns and centres — and for its gorgeous beach resorts. As well as Puglia’s five star hotels, our Gurus have plenty of more affordable recommendations, and some great family friendly accommodation in Puglia too.

Some of our Puglia Collections

Puglia is the foot part of Italy’s famous boot, long and narrow, so wherever you stay you’re not far from a Mediterranean coastline. Its hinterland is known for atmospherically historic and whitewashed hill towns, and for its centuries old farmland. Bari is the region’s capital, and is a bustling port and university town, though Lecce is probably more famous for visitors, known for its Baroque beauty - and often referred to as the ‘Florence of the South’. Alberobello and Noci are known for their traditional trulli structures, while Gallipoli, Savelletri, Otranto, Nardò and Monopoli are on the coast. Puglia has numerous little towns dotted across its interior, and while many are charming, two our Gurus want you to give special consideration to when choosing the best places to stay in Puglia are Martina Franca and Fasano.

Puglia was once the less popular than Tuscany or Campania, but its art, architecture and cultural treasures are just as impressive. The beauty of its towns and cities was bought with the wealth created on its farms, and it’s this cornucopia of produce that makes Puglia another classic Italian foodie destination. The local wines are fantastic too. And it’s got a Mediterranean coastline far, far longer than Tuscany’s, so it’s perfect for an Italian beach break. The smaller visitor numbers make this a great choice for families too, and for romantics.

The Best Places to Stay in Puglia

For the Photo Album

The Palazzo Bozi Corso in Lecce is a grand, 18th century palazzo with wonderfully decorative original features, now converted into their most chic. The ceilings are very high, with delicate coving and panelling, the pale-coloured parquet is beautiful throughout, the French windows have elegant wrought iron balconies, and the doors and windows are huge. Add to that a contemporary art collection, a contemporary colour scheme and contemporary furniture, and you have a very stylish, centrally located palace — worthy of the fussiest guests. Even children. The courtyard garden is idyllic, and while there’s no restaurant, they do offer breakfast and snacks.

For a Special Occasion

The Castello di Ugento is an imaginatively restored 17th century castle in a sleepy town on Puglia’s coast. With frescoes restored, and set against contemporary art and design pieces from Italy’s best known designers, this is a spoiling pick aesthetically. And it also has its own museum, and an impressive restaurant quickly becoming known for its world class cooking school. It has just nine guest rooms, all individually decorated, and offering either private garden access or a private terrace.

For Serious Luxury

Historic and luxurious, the Masseria San Domenico’s original 14th century buildings were once used by the Knights of Malta, and are today much loved by the celebrity set. The contemporary version, has an 18 hole golf course, an excellent selection of places to eat and drink, a huge saltwater pool, and a luxury spa specialising in thalassotherapy treatments, in addition to the 47 sumptuously decorated rooms and suites. And it’s only about 200metres from the ocean just outside Savelletri.

For exclusive use

If you're looking for a property which you can take over in its entirety, Castle Elvira is ideal. Situated just outside Lecce, it offers six beautifully designed suites, plus a separate cottage (with its own hot tub) all with luxurious linens, marble bathrooms, and up-to-the-minute styling. The property sleeps up to 12 and also boasts a lovely infinity pool, private cinema, roof terrace and outdoor hot tub for up to 12.

For a Puglian Base

Sa Suites is an elegant hotel with spacious modern interiors completmenting the original high ceilings and polished wooden floors. It is situated just 15 minutes from Lecce, which means that the Baroque town is on your doorstep, and there's easy access to many of Puglia's other highlights and the coast.
Our Gurus pick Masseria Le Mandorle as a base for exploring southern Puglia. It’s an elegantly converted farmhouse with just twelve rooms and suites whose decor mixes original Puglian features with contemporary style and comfort. The ublic spaces are welcoming and the restaurant specialises in local cuisine. The range of facilities, which includes a large pool, a hot tub and terrace, tennis courts, bikes, and proximity to the sea, are also worth mentioning.
The Masseria Trapana is a classic Puglian masseria peacefully located north of Lecce. Original features throughout mean lots of exposed stone, arched ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. A huge fragrant garden includes a kitchen garden which provides much of what’s served in the restaurant, and the olive groves add to the views. Book out the entire property for a special occasion.

For a Beach Break

The Borgo Egnazia is a village of a resort in a beautifully spot on the coast of Savelletri. Large enough so that some of the staff get around the resort on bikes, the Borgo Egnazia has a very varied collection of 164 villas, suites and rooms, decorated in a luxuriously comfortable country chic style, with a creamy white colour scheme. The resort facilities are really impressive, there are indoor/ outdoor and private pools, a large spa, tennis courts, a gym, a library and games room, gardens, a kids’ club and four excellent restaurants. The resort’s beach club has lots of watersports facilities too.
Monopoli’s Don Ferrante is a beautifully converted ancient fort, overlooking the Adriatic from its many terraces and rooftop plunge pool. It has just ten rooms and suites, in which the original vaulted ceilings and stonework has been retained, but all the contemporary comforts you could wish for have been added. Seriously romantic too.

For Romantics

La Fiermontina offers a surprisingly peaceful haven in the centre of Lecce, in the form a small hotel with a large garden complete with a swimming pool and olive trees. The hotel shows the hallmarks of local architectural design, featuring high, vaulted ceilings, elegant arches, tiled floors and plenty of pale stone. There are just 16 rooms and suites, all unique, and decorated with contemporary design-style furnishings. The food is gourmet, and the art is impressive, making it ideal for a special treat.
The Palazzo de Noha is a stylishly converted villa in the heart of historic Lecce, with art and design -loving owners who have decorated the ten guest rooms superbly. Each room is bright and spacious, with simple white-on-white style, and lots of detail to look at. The roof terrace offers views, a stylish place to sit, and a plunge pool. Adults only.

For Families

Lecce’s L'Orangerie d'Epoque is a beautifully converted family palazzo, with a beautiful, citrus-filled courtyard garden, and large, welcoming rooms, that make it an excellent choice for families or groups. There are only three rooms and a suite, which sleeps four. Two rooms have their own kitchenettes, and direct garden access, and one room has a huge working fireplace. The building itself is airy and graceful, with impressive vaulted ceilings and is filled with objets that have been collected by the family who have owned the palazzo for hundreds of years.
La Chiusa delle More is a collection of traditional stone buildings, running down the side of a hill which overlooks the sea - within the spectacular Gargano National Park. It has ten rooms and suites, a number ideal for families, and plenty of private terraces overlooking olive groves and the water. The hotel restaurant has incredible views too, and its friendly, with a menu specialising in local cuisine.

For a Rural Retreat

The Masseria Montelauro is a smart rural hotel just outside Otranto. The traditionally, square, white washed exterior dates from when the masseria was a monastery, while the interiors are chic and contemporary, in a simple monochrome featuring white walls and soft furnishings, and black furniture. Surrounded by farmland cultivating olives, dates and wine grapes, the views benefit just as much as the restaurant tables, and if you enjoy the local cuisine they offer cooking classes so you can take it home with you. Idyllic and tranquil, with fragrant gardens.
The Ottolire Resort is a really beautiful collection of stone buildings, converted from traditional farm buildings, and surrounded by olive groves and rural peace. There are 14 rooms and suites, all decorated with simple style and a neutral colour scheme, but the real charm comes from the building’s original features. There’s an excellent Mediterranean restaurant, and a spa complete with hammam, hot tub, sensory shower and all sorts of treatments. Secluded, great value luxury, for families or couples.
The Masseria Don Cirillo is another charmingly converted collection of farm buildings, this time converted from a 15th century building, in a charming spot close to Torre San Giovani and the western coastline of Puglia. Its six guest rooms are simply decorated, with whitewashed walls, stone vaulted ceilings and concrete floors covered with kilim rugs. The pool is set within a walled garden, beyond which olive groves spread. Relaxed, great value and family friendly.

For Foodies

The Palazzo Daniele is a beautifully restored palazzo in the quiet, coastal town of Gagliano del Capo, with just nine rooms and an exceptional restaurant. The interiors have been entirely reimagined with a minimalist approach that incorporates the original tiles, high ceilings and large windows to great effect. And the restaurant cuisine is to locally sourced that it’s only decided on the day. An escape, but one where families are welcome.
La Sommità Relais is a gorgeously converted 16th century palazzo at the very top of the fascinating ‘white town’ of Ostuni. The palazzo is very white too, both inside and out, with stunning vaulted ceilings, limestone walls and bare stone walls, decorated with minimalist flair and a white palette. Nine rooms, plus a spa, a pool and a Michelin-starred restaurant with an excellent wine list.

Stay in a Trulli

Alberobello is one of the few places in the world where it’s possible to stay in a traditional Italian trulli, so take the opportunity while you can and stay over at Trulli e Puglia, a collection of these charming, conical houses, in the centre of town. These trulli are all UNESCO heritage listed, so entirely the real thing, with the stone walls, beamed ceilings, and tiled floors that typify them - although with some comfort-creating updates too, like the cafe, bar and restaurant. These 12 rooms and suite are versatile enough to be combined so that they can sleep up to eight, making them a great choice for families - especially the suites, which also have kitchenettes.
The Nina Trulli Resort is a wonderful combination of traditional Puglian charm and resort-style comfort. The resort’s accommodation is within traditional trullis, six in all, with traditional stone interiors and domed roofs - but decorated very comfortably, with simple, stylish furnishings and warm lighting. Outside there’s a large pool, and pleasant gardens - all perfect for families. There’s also a fantastic restaurant specialising in regional produce. All around is the farmland this property was converted from, and beyond that easy routes to some of Puglia’s best known sights.

For Great Value

Masseria Specula is one of our latest finds in Puglia. It's a great little property on the west coast (15 minute stroll from the beach) whose ethos is based around sustainability and relaxation. Rooms are simply styled with a rustic-chic minimalist vibe, there's delicious authentic vegetarian cuisine on request and it certainly won't break the bank!
The Mercantile Suites are two self-catering apartments in Bari's Old Town, with impressive panoramas of the marina. Pick this place for a sense of independence and beautiful period touches -- including hardwood floors and antique furnishings. Minimalist Italian style and gorgeous sea views. One for the grown-ups!
The Palazzo de Mori is a romantic hotel in the historic heart of Otranto, which has been charmingly converted from a grand family home overlooking the port. The Palazzo has just ten rooms and suites, all decorated with white furniture against white walls. Our Gurus’ favourites have private terraces with sea views, but they’re all elegantly designed. The fabulous roof terrace has some of the best views in town, and you’re close to the beach and the cathedral etc.. No under 12s.
The Patria Palace is perfect if you’re traditional comforts, space and quite a lot of flair. For many years this wonderful hotel, with its frescoes, fancy stucco work and cherry wood furniture, was the only decent place to stay in Lecce. There are now other options, but this is still the place to stay if you're looking traditional five star hospitality and comfort. The spa is small, but good; the restaurant is small, but lovely; the views from the roof terrace are unbeatable, and the location, right opposite the wonderful basilica, can't be topped either.

For a Private apartment or villa

If you think a self-catering option would best suit your needs then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

Brindisi Airport and Bari Airport are the most useful international airports for visitors arriving into Puglia by plane, though some travellers may enter via Naples Airport or even further afield, and travel through Italy via train.
If you plan to hire a car, which we would advise if you want to get out and explore further afield, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
Puglia‘s Mediterranean climate, and proximity to the temperature regulating sea, means there’s not really a bad time to visit as far as the weather is concerned. It’s hot in summer, but only really hot – 30°C+ in July and August, which are also the months Italian visitors opt for. While it does rain in winter, it’s not so much as to put off visitors, because Italy is wonderful to visit during the Christmas season, it’s not very cold, and its beautifully lit up with festive decorations. Spring and autumn are more temperate, with temperatures in the 20°Cs, and conditioned perfect for walkers and cyclists. April and May, and September and October are quieter, as far as visitor numbers goes, and accommodation tends to be much better value.

Still not sure where to stay?

You could refine your search to just the best beach hotels in Puglia? or the most romantic hotels in Puglia? or the best family hotels in Puglia?
Or you could refine by destination, and consider prioritising the best places to stay in Lecce? or the best places to stay in Otranto? Gallipoli, or Alberobello?
You might want to refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for, and consider the best five star hotels in Puglia? or the best boutique hotels in Puglia? or Puglia's Best B&Bs?
Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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The best hotels in Puglia

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Sa Suites

Puglia (Puglia)

About 15 minutes north of Lecce, Sa Suites is a new elegant hotel whose spacious interiors are modern but retain original high ceilings, polished wooden floors; all rooms have outdoor spaces. Extras include an outdoor pool, tennis court, bikes, restaurant & bar. Ideal for relaxation or exploring.

Local exploring - Situated just outside a village a few km north of Lecce, Sa Suites is ideally located for exploring the whole region
Total relaxation - Beautifully designed interiors and great facilities: there's no need to leave!
Groups - There is a three bedroom suite which can easily accommodate six people
City Style - A period property with chic up-to-the-minute interiors

from €123 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees