Castle Elvira

Located 12km from Lecce this luxury castle hotel is perfectly located to explore the many delights of Puglia. However, once you enter the tranquil grounds of Castle Elvira you really don't want to leave. The rooms are amazing with fantastic art and design everywhere you look. It is hard to top sunset cocktails on the roof of the castle or cosying up in the bespoke cinema. The on site restaurant serves high quality wines and food, embracing local cuisine and including home grown produce. We enjoyed and savoured every meal we had. The owners, Harvey and Steve, have created the perfect balance of warmth, friendliness and professionalism. The service was excellent from front of house to the restaurant and housekeeping. Castle Elvira is truly special in every way.

I came to Castle Elvira to attend a friend's wedding. I was shocked to read a previous one-star review that specifically mentioned the facilities and staff. I have never stayed in a more romantic, beautiful place! The owners are so kind-I especially enjoyed learning about the original artworks. The staff were so courteous and attentive - the front desk was reachable 24hrs/day via WhatsApp; messages were answered promptly, and the staff were able to accommodate a last-minute request to have my nails done. The food is AMAZING and the wait staff also accommodated special requests. The wedding setup was absolutely beautiful. The accommodations are FABULOUS with plush, comfortable beds, complimentary robes/slippers, a large bathroom with a tub/shower, AND an outdoor tub/shower. Each room was more breathtaking than the next. I would definitely stay here again if I have the chance!

This hotel is magic - words and photos simply don’t do it justice and until you have experienced it I don’t think u can truly understand the magic of castle Elvira. We stayed for 3 nights in the “top” room. It was simply amazing the highlight being our rooftop bath. The staff are so friendly - nothing is too much trouble for them. The food in the restaurant was delicious the pistachio pasta being our favourite. The nights always started with drinks on the rooftop bar where you could view beautiful sunsets. Our favourite night was pizza night as the whole castle had a lovely vibe and the pizzas were the best we had on our whole trip. It’s situated near to some lovely towns so you can go out and explore if you wish - Lecce being our favourite. There is also gorgeous beach not far away if you want to spend the day at a beach club. Would highly recommend this hotel 🥰

Special place with a tasteful blend of old and new. The decor choices feature a lot of the artwork of one of the owners which is dramatic and interesting- and I think beautiful. The restoration of the old grounds is done with care to preserve an old world feel. Drinks on the roof of the castle- magic. The pools are an amazing place to relax. It is small, so you can practically have the place to yourself. ||The care by the staff was top notch. Really enjoyed the food as well. The breakfast buffet could be better- a bit limited. ||We rode bicycles outside of the property and there is a marked bike lane and route. ||We took a car service to visit Lecce and did a great tour- all arranged by a very accommodating concierge who responded to my watts app questions immediately. ||Wish I could have stayed longer to just relax.

Castle Elvira is now one of my favorite hotels in the world. It’s a work of art, and of love. Steve and Harvey have restored this beauty with a fantastic mix of elegance and fun, and every corner of the castle and it’s beautiful grounds reflect them and their unique stamp on it’s history and heritage. It’s an absolute gem, with fabulous staff, who share Harvey and Steve’s impeccable hospitality, giving you a sense that this is your own home to luxuriate in! Deeply relaxing. We will be back!

An amazing setting for a hotel – a castle with just a few rooms. The service is very welcoming, and you're likely to meet the owners during your stay.||The rooms are all spacious and uniquely designed, each with its own character. In the Princess Room, the entrance to the bathroom is hidden inside a closet — something straight out of Alice in Wonderland. The rooms are comfortable, though the cooling system can be a bit noisy. If you're a light sleeper, you might want to bring earplugs, as it runs throughout the night.||The garden is beautiful, and the pool is wonderfully refreshing.||The restaurant, set in the garden, offers à la carte dining. The chef is incredibly friendly, enjoys experimenting with flavors, and genuinely cares about your opinion of his dishes. We thoroughly enjoyed both the food and the attentive service.||The rooftop bar is spectacular, offering stunning views and a great atmosphere.||And last but not least — the cats! They love to wander through the gardens, join you for dinner at the restaurant, or lounge with you by the pool in the shade.||We absolutely loved our stay, even though it was a short one.

Castle Elvira is just pure magic. We came here on our honeymoon - we were delayed a day arriving and are so sad we only got to spend two nights here. The grounds are gorgeous & meticulously cared for; the rooms are beautiful and you can tell how much attention to detail went into designing them. The food was delicious, and we appreciated getting to chat with the chef each night at dinner! The highly of Elvira is really the staff - Francesca greeted us on arrival and made sure we had everything we needed to rest after a long trip. Every server and bartender were so kind and enjoyable to talk with and made sure we had the best experience possible. Steven and Harvey came up to say hello and chat with us every day and were incredibly kind. When they found out it was our honeymoon, they upgraded us to the king suite in the main castle which was such a nice surprise. On top of everything else, we really just loved getting to meet all the cats 😂💕 We will definitely be back!!

From the moment you arrive at Castle Elvira, it becomes abundantly clear: this is no ordinary escape. It’s a living, breathing work of art—an exquisite restoration brought to life by the creative vision and tireless dedication of Harvey B. Brown and Steve Riseley. What they have achieved here is nothing short of extraordinary.||Every corner of Castle Elvira exudes a sense of curated elegance. Innovation in decor is everywhere: where antique grandeur meets modern luxury in the most seamless, intoxicating way. Think: museum-quality pieces beside plush, contemporary comfort. Original artwork by Harvey himself graces the walls—not just decorating but storytelling—imbuing the space with bold personality and creative energy that feels utterly unique.||The attention to detail throughout the castle and its grounds is immaculate. From hand-selected linens to perfectly placed objets d’art, you feel the love and precision behind every decision. There’s no sense of anything being “designed”—rather, it feels composed, as if the castle were always destined to be this beautiful.||And then there’s the food. Divine doesn't even begin to describe it. Each dish is a celebration of local flavors elevated to fine art, delivered with grace and a touch of magic. Whether you’re dining under the stars or enjoying a long, luxurious breakfast in one of the opulent salons, the culinary experience is unforgettable.||As for relaxation? Castle Elvira redefines glamour. With multiple pools spread across the estate, you can drift from one shimmering oasis to another, each more dreamy than the last. Lounging here isn’t just an activity—it’s a decadent ritual.||Castle Elvira is more than a luxury retreat—it is an experience of true beauty, imagination, and generosity of spirit. We feel truly blessed to have shared in its magic. If you are lucky enough to visit, prepare to be transformed.