The Best Hotels in Puglia

1. La Fiermontina Luxury Home (Lecce) | The most elegant hotel-gallery in Puglia

In Lecce, behind its high stone walls, La Fiermontina brings together art, history, and the Salento way of life in one of Puglia’s most charming boutique hotels. Conceived by the Fiermonte family as a tribute to their ancestor Antonia—an Italian artist with a romantic life story—this intimate retreat is housed in a 17th-century mansion that was exquisitely restored by architect Antonio Annicchiarico.

The building has retained its light-colored stone vaults and majestic arches but is adorned with contemporary decor, punctuated by Italian furniture and works of art—paintings, sculptures, paintings, and precious objects—that fill every nook and cranny of the establishment, much like a private gallery.

The property is bordered by a vast garden of century-old olive trees, featuring a swimming pool and a multitude of small terraces. La Fiermontina’s 19 rooms and suites are spread across several buildings, in the “dispersed hotel” style. Some are housed beneath ancient vaulted ceilings, while others open onto the gardens or feature museum-like decor—just a stone’s throw from the hotel, the “Museum Suites,” located on the first floor of the Fiermontone Museum, each offer a unique creative theme, ranging from cinema and music to painting and sculpture.

At the Zéphyr restaurant, set facing the citrus groves, the cuisine is local: fresh salad or Nonna Antonia-style spaghetti for lunch, followed in the evening by more ambitious dishes such as yellowtail tartare with dried figs, tortelli with confit pork, or gnocchi stuffed with ragù. The hotel also offers a wide range of experiences to help guests fully immerse themselves in the surrounding area. Cooking classes, exploring the Baroque alleyways of Lecce, meeting local artisans, or day trips along the Salento coast… a yoga session in the gardens before heading to the spa at Palazzo Bozzi Corso, a sister property just a few steps away. An elegant destination to stop at during a trip through Puglia.

La Fiermontina Luxury Home
19 rooms, starting at 400 euros per night
Piazzetta De Summa Scipione, Lecce

2. Borgo Egnazia (Savelletri) | A village-style hotel in Puglia

In the small town of Savelletri, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Borgo Egnazia is one of the most sought-after 5-star hotels in southern Italy. Inspired by the ancient ruins of Egnazia, a former Roman city located a few kilometers away, this sprawling estate was designed to resemble a Mediterranean village. Cobblestone streets, sun-drenched squares, stone staircases, secret patios, and facades carved from local tuff: it feels as though you’re strolling through a village shaped by the centuries, when in reality it is a much more recent creation.

The accommodations—intimate rooms, elegant suites, and private villas—are scattered throughout the estate and feature a white-and-ecru color scheme that’s delightfully romantic, accented with rustic touches: carved stone, sheer curtains, handcrafted objects… Guests can also enjoy the outdoor spaces: a balcony facing the sunset, a shaded terrace, or a small garden with a private pool for the villas.

When it comes to dining, Borgo Egnazia offers a wide variety of options with no fewer than eight restaurants, each with its own unique atmosphere—ranging from a cozy trattoria to a Michelin-starred restaurant. The philosophy? To celebrate local produce and the estate’s harvests. Because this eco-friendly hotel is also a pioneer in regenerative agriculture and manages its entire production chain, from seed to plate.

Guests experience this approach firsthand at the Italian restaurant Due Camini (one Michelin star), where vegetables, herbs, and seasonal ingredients are prepared using the whole produce. Between meals, there’s a wide range of activities to choose from: in addition to the San Domenico golf course that surrounds the property and the two private beaches along the shore, the hotel features four swimming pools, a tennis academy, a cooking school, and a kids’ club.

The Vair Spa is another highlight of the property. Housed in stone buildings set apart from the hustle and bustle, it offers treatments featuring local herbs and natural fragrances. Roman baths, a sauna, and an ice fountain invite you to unwind. You’ll return feeling refreshed… and nostalgic for this charming “village” atmosphere.

Borgo Egnazia
183 rooms, starting at 440 euros per night
Strada Comunale Egnazia, di Savelletri

3. La Fiermontina Palazzo Bozzi Corso (Lecce) | Stay in a Baroque palace

In the heart of Lecce’s Baroque labyrinth and just a few steps from the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Palazzo Bozzi Corso, an intimate 10-suite hotel, is housed in a superbly restored aristocratic palace dating from 1775, owned by the Fiermonte family (as is the neighboring La Fiermontina Luxury Home). As you step through the gate, you first discover a charming patio that keeps the hustle and bustle of the alleyways at a safe distance, followed by a building of blond stone housing sumptuous interiors renovated by architect Emanuele Manieri. Manieri has preserved the spectacular spaces, soaring ceilings, and Lecce stone, while incorporating designer furniture and a remarkable collection of artworks. Pieces by Gio Ponti and Le Corbusier, contemporary paintings, sculptures, and family photographs coexist in a harmonious setting that bridges eras without ever feeling like a museum.

Each of the ten suites has its own distinct personality, centered around a figure connected to art and the Fiermonte family—from Fernand Léger to John Lennon and Yoko Ono (the latter suite notably features works and drawings related to the famous couple). But the experience doesn’t end at the suite’s doorstep. Between outings to explore Lecce, guests can treat themselves to a break at the small, intimate spa with its hydrotherapy pool, take part in a yoga session on the rooftop, or simply enjoy a cocktail at sunset…

The hotel also organizes several tailor-made experiences: a homemade pasta workshop with a chef, guided tours of the palace showcasing its art collection (starting with the spectacular Baroque hall dominated by Jacques Zwobada’s *La Danseuse* ), or a visit to the nearby Fiermonte Museum, which traces the fascinating history of Antonia Fiermonte. Access to the gardens and pool at La Fiermontina Luxury Home, located just a short walk away, rounds out the getaway. Palazzo Bozzi Corso is a hotel imbued with art, history, and the hospitality of Italy’s grand estates. One of the most unique (and irresistible) destinations in Lecce!

La Fiermontina Palazzo Bozzi Corso
10 rooms, starting at 211 euros per night
Via Umberto I, Lecce

4. La Peschiera (Monopoli) | A hotel in Puglia right on the water

In Monopoli, La Peschiera is housed in a former 16th-century fish reserve, situated right on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. This boutique hotel (a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World) features only a handful of rooms and suites but offers all the amenities of a seaside resort: a private beach, seven hydrotherapy pools cascading down to the shore, plenty of terraces, and meticulous comfort. The minimalist decor leaves the spotlight entirely on the water, which can be enjoyed from every corner of the property—and especially at the table!

For a leisurely lunch overlooking the sea, head to the Bistrot, where the simple, fresh cuisine showcases local ingredients paired with extra-virgin olive oil—the culinary thread that ties the menu together. In the evening, the fine-dining restaurant Saleblu offers a more contemporary take. Chef Vincenzo Montanaro draws on both the bounty of local seafood and the treasures of the Apulian countryside to create delicate dishes inspired by the region’s landscapes and stories. These beautiful plates are served on a terrace suspended above the waves.

To explore Puglia beyond its beaches, this ocean-view hotel also organizes activities and excursions: boat trips along the coasts of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, Vespa or vintage car rentals, bike rides through the Itria Valley, guided tours of Alberobello, Matera, or Lecce, or—for food lovers—cooking classes at local masserie, and wine and olive oil tastings. Everyone can explore the region at their own pace before returning to the serenity of this little corner of paradise by the water.

Hotel La Peschiera
10 keys, starting at 650 euros per night
Contrada Losciale, Monopoli, Bari

5. Palazzo Daniele (Gagliano del Capo) | The Minimalist Palace of Puglia

In the far south of Puglia, where the Salento Peninsula juts out between two seas, Palazzo Daniele is housed in a 19th-century mansion in the heart of the lively village of Gagliano del Capo. Behind its unassuming facade, the property turns the conventions of luxury hospitality on their head; the owners have opted for restraint: bare walls, minimalist furnishings, contemporary lighting, and monastic-style rooms allow the original architecture to shine through, which is spectacular with its ancient frescoes, theatrically proportioned salons, and majestic vistas. With only 15 suites, the hotel still offers all the comforts of a grand hotel: Marshall speakers in the rooms, Grown Alchemist amenities, and attentive service...

In this haven for connoisseurs, time slips gently by amid the citrus-scented orchard, the long, dark pool, and the sun-drenched terraces. When it comes to dining, four local chefs skillfully carry on the culinary traditions of Salento by preparing simple, delicious, and hearty regional dishes. An honesty bar where guests help themselves as if at home is located in the main lounge, while in the summer, a tapas kiosk sets up shop by the pool.

The property does not have a spa but does feature a sauna and a hammam. A place full of character where you can discover Puglia with fresh eyes.

Palazzo Daniele
15 rooms, starting at 416 euros per night
Corso Umberto I, Gagliano del Capo LE