"Like a Mediterranean Cornwall, Salento, at the tip of Italy’s heel, is both a land’s end peninsula and a crossroads of cultures. It is thrumming with energy. The stripped-back walls, industrial lamps, and monastically simple bedrooms highlight the ceiling frescoes, mirrored salons, and a courtyard that calls for wild soirées out of The Leopard. Some of the region’s best beaches are a short drive away, but a cool, dark slick of swimming pool and a lemon-filled orchard are persuasive reasons to stay put. The villa was converted into a nine suite hotel in April."