After 1,000 years in the making,, Castello di Ugento,, in the southern tip of Puglia, known as Salento, has been immaculately restored to its rightful place as a sparkling jewel in Italy’’ s crown.
The result is a luxurious, contemporary and state–of–the–art castle, now open to a new generation of guests,, visitors,, artists and gastronomes..
Protecting and standing tall over the town of Ugento for over 1000 years, the 17th century castle turned palazzo is now the home to a Luxury Boutique Hotel – a contemporary hideaway encased within the golden 17th-century walls. The nine rooms and suites have all been lovingly curated with modern pieces from top Italian designers including Cassina, Poltrona Frau, Minotti, Ceccotti and B&B Italia alongside antiques and vintage finds as well as handmade Italian ‘noce Canaletto’ – high quality walnut – armoires.
Ground-floor rooms, which open onto the cobbled courtyard close to the 18th century aromatic garden, are cloistered within a renovated wing of the castle, while The Master Suite della Rosa and Corte Giardino boast 19th-century star-vaulted ceilings and access to a small patio.
The “Piano Nobile Suites” on the first floor up, in what used to be the private family quarters, have a private terrace and romantic views across Ugento’s rooftops.
The hotel is also a gourmet retreat and home to the Puglia Culinary Centre, a state-of-the-art Italian cookery school. Bespoke classes can be booked on Italian cuisine and wine-tastings and pairings. The underground cistern built more than five-hundred years ago, will house a large wine cellar with an intimate and ideally air controlled “desgustazione” wine tasting area.
The restaurant, Il Tempo Nuovo has opened its doors with its dramatic vaulted ceilings, and is the setting for mouthwatering seasonal specialities created by House Chef Odette Fada and her team, showcasing ingredients from the Salento region. Dishes feature fresh fruit and vegetables from the 18th-century restored walled kitchen garden where guests can enjoy sunset cocktails, relax with a book during the day, or take a botanical stroll with the Head Gardener to learn about its 100 aromatic and medicinal local plants.
The hotel has a full concierge service organising bespoke activities to explore Salento. The region is overflowing with cultural riches: discover the Baroque brilliance of Lecce and 12th-century mosaics in Otranto, the frescoed churches of Galatina, the castle in Gallipoli and the port of Santa Maria di Leuca. The landscape is blanketed with olive groves and there are two coastlines to explore, from the white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea, to the cliffs of the dramatic Adriatic coastline.
BOOK IT
Prices start from €330 – €755, (dependent on season) per room based on 2 people sharing including breakfast and dinner.
Prices start from €750 – €1350 in a Piano Nobile Suite
