Don Totu Dimora Storica

Rooms

Dressed in sophisticated neutrals, the 6 rooms are scattered about the house and grounds. All are slightly different, with restored period features – perhaps ornate plasterwork, vaulted ceilings or an intricately carved door. Suites are the largest with private outside space, but all rooms are beautiful - there are no duff choices. Our mezzanine Suite came with a chaise-longue and sun-trap roof terrace; the Don Totu Suite has a vast bathroom encompassing twin sinks and a freestanding egg-shaped tub at the centre. We also loved the look of the Superior Room off the main courtyard, with its exposed stone walls and giant hearth.

The refined wooden furniture comes from Belgian designer Flamant, and the four-poster beds are topped with heavenly Durelan mattresses, firm Daunenstep pillows and beautiful local linens. Placed here and there are ceramics by Grottaglie and Vietre, plus eye-catching artworks and mirrors collected on Mauro and Chiara’s travels. Bathrooms vary from room to room and some are on the small side with showers only, but all come with pretty tiles and delicately scented toiletries made for Don Totu by Maria Candida Gentile.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast, served in the courtyard, is a tempting spread of pastries, cakes, cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, savoury tarts and jams, all homemade or sourced locally. You can also choose from a menu of omelettes, hot drinks and freshly made smoothies – our cucumber, lemon and mint concoction was delicious.

If you’re planning to spend the day lounging around the hotel, you can pre-order cold lunch dishes – perhaps octopus salad, couscous or a sandwich made from local puccia bread. Your selection will be delivered to the pool house to enjoy whenever you want. There’s also a guest kitchen where you can help yourself to soft drinks and biscuits and store your own snacks, as well as an honesty bar with a good selection of wines.

No other meals are available, but in the early evening, free apertivi and nibbles are served alongside delicious cocktails incorporating produce from the garden - our favourite was a rum cocktail made with freshly plucked pomegranate. The nearest restaurants are a drive away; Alessandra will happily make recommendations, book tables and arrange taxis.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Lunch by arrangement

Activities

• Hit the local beaches. Drive 10 minutes in one direction and you’ll reach the Adriatic coast, with its towering cliffs and plunging coves; 10 minutes in the other direction takes you to the Ionian coast, which is lined with wooded nature reserves and long stretches of sand. Beach bags with towels and water are left by the door each morning
  
• Borrow one of the hotel’s electric bikes or Vespas (extra charge) for a gentle pootle through the local olive groves
  
• Head to the pretty town of Otranto for a seafood lunch, then wander its narrow lanes to the Aragonese castle and mosaic-floored cathedral
  
• Take a dip in Marina Serra’s natural swimming pool – a sheltered inlet that’s almost entirely cut off from the sea, with steps down into clear turquoise water
  
• Drive half an hour north to Lecce, famed for its honey-stoned Baroque architecture and Roman ruins
  
• Join one of the morning yoga classes – just reserve a place the night before - or have a session in the on site gym before breakfast
  
• Book a private slot in the subterranean relaxation area, with its hammam, Jacuzzi and ‘emotional shower’ (a unique treatment which includes hydrotherapy, chromotherapy and aromatherapy, combining colours, lights and essential oils together)
  
• Pugliese cooking classes and private guided tours can be arranged, too
  
• Or just relax by the swimming pool, watching birds and butterflies flit among the flowers

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Hammam
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Private guided tours
• Swimming
• Well being
• Yoga

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome, but the peaceful atmosphere means Don Totu is best suited to couples.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

There’s a Quad Room with a double bedroom and an adjoining twin bedroom. Most rooms can accommodate baby cots. An extra bed can also be added to one Suite and the Superior Room (on request).

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Don Totu is in the small village of San Cassiano, on Puglia's Salentino Peninsula, southern Italy. It’s 30 minutes' drive south of Lecce.

By Air:
The nearest airport is Brindisi (90km / 1-hour drive), but you could also fly into Bari (205km / 2-hour drive). If you’re coming from outside Europe, you’ll probably fly via Rome.

From the Airport
Don Totu can arrange transfers and taxis during your stay, but you really need to hire a car to make the most of the area. There’s plenty of free on-street parking right outside the hotel.

Detailed directions will be sent when you confirm a booking through i-escape.