Palazzo Guglielmo, Vignacastrisi, Puglia, southern Italy - Explore & Book
"Facing an impressively fortified church, Palazzo Guglielmo occupies Vignacastrisi’s former mayoral mansion. Its huge wooden doors open onto the small town’s main piazza and harbour a wonderful secret: a rambling, high-ceilinged palace, complete with a vast orange grove and a courtyard garden that’s shaded by tangled fruit trees and dotted with outdoor sofas. Friendly and helpful owner Mauro has converted the house into a very special hotel, with stylish rooms and 3 self-catering hideaways and a wonderfully laid-back feel. It’s ideal not only for couples but for families too, and even those with young children will feel at ease here. The pool is flanked by orange trees, sunflowers, birds-of-paradise, mint and lavender, all wafting scent over the water as you swim. There are elegant salons, a roof terrace with a bubbling hot tub, and plenty of nooks where you can lose yourself in a holiday read. Delicious local produce is served up at lunch, dinner and the plentiful breakfast buffet, and there’s a choice of restaurants within walking distance. Make use of the free bikes and potter around Puglia’s rolling landscapes, or head to the dramatic seacliffs and turquoise waters of the Salentine coast, just 3km away. Highs A wonderful secret-garden feel; you’ll think you’ve stumbled across a long-lost treasurePretty Vignacastrisi, with its unspoilt, stuck-in-time ambiance, is ideally placed for exploring the Salento peninsula, yet well away from crowded resort towns such as Otranto There are regular cooking classes, wine tastings and poolside barbecues - ideal for foodiesSpacious rooms, all with bathtubs, and many with beautiful arched ceilings and sitting roomsA warm welcome combined with fantastic attention to detail (homemade cakes at breakfast, stacks of books on the area, carefully chosen antiques) Lows With only 10 sunbeds to lounge on, there isn't enough space for everyone by the pool when the hotel is full (their delightful sister property Palazzo Circolone in nearby Poggiardo has a more spacious pool setup)The local coastline is rocky; you’ll have to head towards Otranto (30km away) for sandy beaches, though you can swim nearbyThe roads down to the hotel's car park are very narrow. Some guests prefer to park near the square insteadNo in-room TVs - a conscious decision to avoid disturbing the tranquillity (but there is in-room WiFi)It can take a little while for the water in the bathrooms to heat up" - Abigail Blasi
