Villa Ciardo

We stayed at Villa Ciardo in August 2018, my partner, our two daughters and me. I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels, resorts and properties, including some described as extremely luxurious, so I’m not easily impressed. Still, this is without question the best place I’ve stayed in Puglia so far. The villa is an ancient building in the middle of town with just four rooms. Calling them rooms almost undersells them, they felt more like apartments. The suite the very kind, hardworking owner gave us had a bathroom about the size of a living room, finished with beautiful materials: premium Afro-Mosia parquet, rare Italian marble, and Murano chandeliers that wouldn’t look out of place in a four-star hotel lobby. Even the huge shower tray, around 2 x 1.5 m, was carved from the same marble as the walls. I think it was Calacatta Oro. That single piece must have cost an absurd amount, enough to renovate two rooms in an ordinary hotel. The walls had Venetian stucco, and I could fill a whole book with the ground-floor lounges and the careful details in every corner. Everything was spotless. Saying you could eat off the floor isn’t an exaggeration here. The property is so well kept that I honestly can’t point to a flaw. Would I mention a tiny scratch on a gold-plated lobby table, or a dust speck you’d only spot with a powerful 600x microscope? No. The owner is a perfectionist, even the pool’s engine room was soundproofed so it wouldn’t bother people relaxing nearby. The whole place was spectacular, with real luxury handled tastefully and without excess. If you’re planning a very comfortable holiday in Puglia, Villa Ciardo is a must. The value for money is excellent.