Mantatelurè means ‘King’s Mantle’ in local dialect, and this refined guesthouse lives up to its noble name, with 6 exclusive-feeling rooms and suites, and 2 enchanting 1-bedroom apartments. Only 300m from the crazily carved Baroque Basilica Santa Croce, one of Lecce’s foremost sights, this is nonetheless on a quiet, off-the-beaten-track street, not lined by tourist shops or restaurants like many others in the historic centre.
Owners Marco and Marta’s attention to detail is apparent from the moment you walk in, from the array of Marco’s homemade cakes and biscuits, to the beautiful, pale patterned tiles that he rescued from a 17th-century palazzo in order to decorate steps throughout the guesthouse. There are lots of luxe touches, such as handmade welcome chocolates, surround-sound radio and rainfall showers. But, despite the high-end fittings, Mantatelurè is laid-back and informal; perfect for couples who like intimate, luxurious, characterful places to stay. The graceful building centres on a courtyard garden, with sunbeds, tables and chairs, as well as a hot tub that guests can book for their personal use. There’s plenty to see and do in Lecce, plus you’re well situated for exploring Puglia, particularly Salento and the Valle d’Itria.
Highs
- Great for couples, with a grown-up atmosphere, romantic rooms, and a hot tub in the courtyard where you can sip prosecco
- Lecce is an enchanting, historic city full of mesmerising architecture, plus it's within easy reach of the coast and the area's famous trulli settlements
- Fantastic breakfasts with lots of local and homemade produce, and apartments for those who wish to self-cater
- A beautiful old building, gracefully converted, in a picturesque, quiet neighbourhood
- Special little touches, from the candles lining the outdoor steps after dark to the charging stations in each room
Lows
- Reception is not open all day - this is a guesthouse and won’t suit those who like 24-hour room service
- Apartment guests can take breakfast or self-cater, although the latter requires a sizeable security deposit
- No children under 11 are accepted
Best time to go
Puglia is best visited from April through to October. Note that it can get very hot in the summer although you're close to the coast for cooling breezes. July and August are very busy as Italians take their holidays at this time, but are also prime time for local food and music festivals.
Our top tips
Buy the famous local almond-paste sweets (or whatever else they are selling that day) from the cloistered nuns at the 12th-century convent of San Giovanni Evangelista, which is on the same street as Mantatelurè, Via Manfredi. The nuns never show their faces, so all business is conducted via intercom.
- Boutique guesthouse
- 6 rooms + 2 apartments
- Breakfast only (+ self-catering apartments)
- Ages 11+ only
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
- Dance lessons
Rooms
Mantatelurè has 6 beautiful rooms, all decorated in pale, soothing colours and sharing an elegant, individual aesthetic that mixes local ceramics with Indian antiques. There are also 2 apartments on the first floor (no lift).
The 2 Deluxe Rooms are light and bright, with high arched ceilings. One is a cool-blue double, the other is a twin with sculptural glass lamps from Naples resembling a bunch of shining white chillies. Junior Suites share an identical layout, with large double beds and mezzanine lounges reached via spiral staircases. One has windows opening onto a quiet street, while the second has a window onto the inner courtyard. They can interconnect if required. The 2 Suites are the most lavish thanks to their tempting Jacuzzis. There's a lounge room in each as well, with a sofabed for 2 extra guests.
The 2 Apartments are similarly chic; decorated in terracotta-patterned tiles, both have a double bedroom, 2 large TVs (one in the bedroom, one in the living room) and a kitchenette.
All the rooms, suites and apartments have flatscreen TVs, air-conditioning, WiFi, safes, and tea-making kit; rooms and suites also have surround-sound radio at the touch of a button and a charging station (for phones, iPads, etc). Linen is gleaming white. Bathrooms have rainfall showers and Etro toiletries.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is served either outside in the sunny, spacious courtyard garden, or in the interior atrium. The food is laid out on a central table so you can select, buffet-style. And what a spread. Most of the cakes are homemade by Marco, the owner, including Italian specialities such as crostata (jam tart), while croissants and the local favourite, pasticiotti (custard-filled pastries), are brought in freshly made from a local bakery. There are lots of nice touches: you can try the local friselle (dried bread rolls), which you dip in water to soften and then top with tomatoes, olive oil and a little salt - delicious.
If you’re staying in an apartment, you can choose to have breakfast (served on your private balcony or inside) or self-cater, and pay a different rate accordingly. There are shops nearby and you get a slick little set-up with an oven, hob, sink, fridge and all the usual ceramics and glassware.
Lecce has plenty of good options for dining out and staff will advise on local eateries. Don’t miss a visit to Café Alvino on Piazza di Sant’Oronzo to try the local rustici (cheese and tomato puffs) or orzo, the hot chicory drink that the Leccese like to take in the afternoon instead of coffee.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Explore Lecce, visiting this lovely golden-stone city’s main sights, which include the cathedral and its piazza, amazing Baroque churches such as the Basilica Santa Croce, and the Roman amphitheatre
- Explore the towns nearby in Puglia, particularly the hilltop towns of Alberobello (famed for its trulli), Cisternino, Ostuni, Martina Franca and Locorotondo in the Valle d’Itria
- Take a cookery course, explore local markets, visit a local olive-oil producer to taste the olive oil and head to a local wine producer to taste the wine, all with local cookery school Stile Mediterraneo
- Take a guided tour of the city, head off on an excursion along the coast, or unwind with a spa treatment - any of which can be organised by Mantatelurè
- Learn to dance the pizzica (traditional local dance). Lessons are regularly held at the guesthouse on Fridays (subject to demand)
- Relax on Mantatelurè’s roof terrace or in the courtyard, where you can have a glass of prosecco in the hot tub or lie back on the sunbeds
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Dance classes
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Wine tasting
Kids
Mantatelurè is aimed at couples and adults rather than families - only children aged 11+ are accepted.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Junior Suites can interconnect, and all but the Deluxe Rooms have space for a single sofabed.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Mantatelurè is in Lecce, in Salento, southern Puglia - the heel of the Italian boot. The guesthouse is in Lecce’s historic centre, on a quiet street that’s accessible by car.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Brindisi (48km), but you could also fly into Bari (163km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines which fly to these airports.
From the Airport
Drive (see below) or take a taxi or bus from Brindisi airport. Mantatelurè also offers an airport shuttle service, which they recommend booking upon reservation.
By Car:
A car will assist greatly in exploring the area, although Lecce itself is eminently walkable and there are trains and buses to other places in Puglia. You can hire cars at the airport - see our car rental recommendations. Mantatelurè has a garage for guest use (nightly charge).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Italy and getting around
Airports:
- Brindisi 48.0 km BDS
- Bari 163.0 km BRI
Other:
- Beach 18.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
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