Castle Elvira

Hotel review

It's sometimes difficult to predict how well a new boutique hotel will do, especially when they are popping up like mushrooms in places like Puglia. Howevever, there's no difficulty here at Castle Elivra in Salento which sits in 37 acres of olive and citrus groves, wild flowers and parkland. It had it's soft opening in 2022 and was pretty much fully booked, unsurprising given the love and passion that has gone into the renovation, restoration and interiors of this magical castle abandoned for over 100 years. Art and Design is at the heart of Castle Elvira; owners Steven and Harvey have imprinted a sense of fun on the ground floor with beautiful floor tiles, colourful velvet chairs, Diptyque candles, design pieces and stunning artwork, much of it by the tremendously talented and sought after Harvey-B-Brown. The six bedrooms in the castle and castle cottage are a little more muted with a colour palette of soft pistachio, apricots, pinks, greys and aubergines with original frescoes on the vaulted ceilings. Harvey's vibrant artwork is a feature in every room, too big to smuggle home sadly but prints are available online. Beds are huge with aloe vera-infused pocket sprung mattresses and covered in grey Conran bedlinen and hypo-allogenic pillows, whilst bathrooms are cleverly hidden in a corner cupboard - expect handcarved marble basins, large showers and loos with subtle in-built bidets. Refillable organic Ortigia products (it's all about sustainability here) and diffusers are provided in all of the rooms and suites. TVs are hidden behind a gold gilt mirror, a brilliant design feature - out of sight, out of mind! The castle’s four floors can be accessed by a red glass lined lift which goes from the cosy private cinema which seats eight on the lower ground level up to the castle's rooftop terrace for sundowners at 6pm and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

There are two pools to choose from, one heated, nearer the restaurant and the other a larger infinity pool on the lower terrace. Both have sunbeds as well as shaded areas and you can connect your playlist to the sound system while you soak up the sun by the pool or in the hammock. There's a separate flooded solarium too which is the perfect spot to cool your feet, while enjoying a cocktail or a romantic candlelit dinner. Do hire a car, nearby Lecce is a beautiful town to visit and there are many other lovely places to explore during your stay including Ostuni and Franca Martina.

Cucina Salentina is served in the restaurant, with traditional dishes created by chefs Marino and Fabiana, who are passionate about their food and local specialties. Their menus include Elvira's homegrown citrus fruits, pomegranates, and fresh herbs, as well as locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Cosy up indoors in the restaurant or enjoy al fresco dining on the terrace or you might prefer room service in your room.

Anything and everything can be ordered via the WhatsApp concierge service, meaning you literally don't need to lift a finger during your stay, taking relaxation to a new level. Il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing) reigns at Castle Elvira.

Lulu Townsend Review published: 21/10/2024