Oh to be an Italian aristocrat! We can just imagine ourselves drifting through the palatial halls of this 18th-century mansion, pausing to admire frescoes of Roman mythology on the ceilings and oil paintings mounted in great gilded frames. This former palace has been home to merchants, lawyers and mayors, and is now in the hands of local renovator Mauro, who also transformed Palazzo Guglielmo in a neighbouring town. And what a fine job he’s done! The building’s glittering chandeliers still hang from the ceilings, old leatherbound hardbacks are exhibited in grand wooden bookcases, and the pretty orange grove still stands in the garden. History is lovingly remembered here.
But the vibe is far from old-fashioned. The 12 guest bedrooms and suites are beautifully styled with soft pastel colours and vintage furniture. The bar has climbing indoor plants and books on Vespas and Italian wines, with tables spilling onto a leafy terrace and an emerald-green classic car parked up in the corner – quirky! Salentine dishes are on the menu at the restaurant, and they have a decent selection of wines. Step outside and you’re on Poggiardo’s main square, the beating heart of this quaint little Puglian town. Hop on one of the hotel's free bikes to explore, or head to the turquoise waters of the unspoilt Salento coast, an easy drive away. This is a delightful taste of quintessential Puglia, and we loved it.
Highs
- Chock-a-block with restored original features: hand-painted frescoes, arched ceilings, chandeliers, oil paintings, mosaic floors
- Luxurious bedrooms with lots of space and light, vintage furniture, and plush bathrooms – one has a private sauna!
- The sheltered outdoor pool occupies a peaceful spot in the garden, surrounded by orange trees and climbing plants
- Pretty Poggiardo is unspoilt and authentically Puglian. You’re well away from crowded resort towns such as Otranto, plus the Salento peninsula is nearby
Lows
- Despite being in the centre of town, you’ll probably need a car for exploring the area, particularly if you want to head to the coast
- Although children are welcome, we feel the vibe of this former palace is better suited to couples
- No twin rooms, but the Suites have two double beds
- No in-room TVs - a conscious decision to avoid disturbing the tranquillity. Check out the books instead (and there's a TV in the relax room)
Best time to go
Puglia’s finest season is late spring (May-June), when the weather’s perfect, wild flowers run riot and the beaches and towns are uncrowded. September is also lovely and balmy. High season runs from July to August, when the region is packed and very hot, but there are music and food festivals every night in towns across the area.
Our top tips
A local speciality that’s well worth trying is the substantial sandwich known as the puccia. Expect a large roll of freshly baked crusty bread, studded with olives and packed with salami, cheese, ham, mozzarella and tomatoes.
- Boutique Hotel
- 12 rooms
- Restaurant and bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The 12 guest rooms are all ensuite doubles, some with second bedrooms or space for extra beds and some that can interconnect. All are extremely spacious, and the palace’s oversized windows let in plenty of light courtesy of electric blinds. The rooms feature high ceilings, polished concrete floors, vintage-chic furniture and historic artworks. Bathrooms each have their own design, but all have walk-in showers.
Of the seven Double Rooms (Spilo, Kaloceri, Terra, Sabbia, Mare, Amorini and Gold), we particularly liked Amorini, which has a restored ceiling decorated with cherub murals, 19th-century paintings, an old fireplace and plush marble walls in its bathroom. Upgrade to a Deluxe Room: choose Venere for a two-seater sauna in your bathroom and view over the square; choose Mosaico for a hamam, beautiful mosaic floor painted by the local masters of the late 19th century, an ornamental frieze bordering the rim of each wall and a chandelier as its centrepiece.
There are three suites that each have 2 double bedrooms: Junior Suite Sidero is smaller and split over two levels, but has a private terrace; Asteri has balconies on both sides; the largest is Sikalindi, where each bedroom has an ensuite and sitting area, plus a shared lounge.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is included in the room rate, and we hear it’s a treat – particularly the sticky pastries. A buffet is laid out in the bar, and you can choose to dine in or out in the garden on balmy days. The bar stays open throughout the day, offering local delicacies, cocktails and appetizers.
The hotel’s La Piazza restaurant opens every evening (except Mondays) for dinner. Expect traditional Salento dishes and an ambient setting among the old orange grove in the garden. If you prefer to eat out, there are restaurants a few hundred metres away. Ask staff for their recommendations.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Cool off in the swimming pool in the shady garden. There are plenty of sunbeds and pool towels (free to use), and the bar staff can bring out snacks and refreshments whenever you please
- Explore Poggiardo on foot or by bicycle (free to borrow from the hotel). See the 14th-century castle and the Baroque-style Church of San Salvatore, then stop for an espresso in the square to soak up the refreshingly slow pace of life
- Wander the winding lanes, castle and ancient walls of the charming coastal town of Otranto, which gets full to bursting in July and August but is pretty quiet for the rest of the year
- Explore the Salento coast. If you want white sand, head to the beaches near Otranto; one of the nicest is I Due Mori, close to the Alimini Lakes (a 30km drive)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Kids
Kids are welcome at Palazzo Circolone, but it doesn’t particularly lend itself to families. The sophisticated vibe, tranquil atmosphere and stacks of antiques throughout the hotel mean it’s probably better for older children or babies (under fours stay free of charge). There are connecting rooms, and baby cots and high chairs are available to borrow on request.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Double Rooms Sabbia and Terra can interconnect, and the Suites have two double bedrooms. Deluxe Rooms can have an extra single bed on request. Note that no rooms have twin beds or bathtubs.
Distances:
- Airport: 60 minutes
- Clinic/Hospital: 15 minutes (Scorrano)
- Shops: 10 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Palazzo Circolone is located in Poggiardo, southern Puglia - the heel of the Italian boot. It's about an hour from Brindisi airport, and around 10 minutes from the coast.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Brindisi (92km).
From the Airport
The hotel offers transfers, but hiring your own car will enable you to explore the region - see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Brindisi 92.0 km BDS
Other:
- Beach 8.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 9 independent reviews from i-escape guests
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