Palazzo Daniele, a Member Design Hotels

The design is lovely to look at, but the hotel is isolated and wildly overpriced. In April the rooms were cold and needed heating to feel comfortable, but the bathroom couldn’t be heated. The food wasn’t even average: breakfast was a tiny portion for 40€ per person, and about 30€ for 70 grams of pasta, including a 5€ coperto for hotel guests, feels almost ridiculous in Italy. I’m a woman and even I wasn’t full, a man would be starving. Definitely not worth staying, and I can’t recommend it. Maybe the one Michelin Key they’ve had since last year explains the fantasy prices, but it’s officially a 3-star hotel and that’s what the food and service felt like. Don’t get fooled, or expect more.

I slept for nine hours straight one night, which says a lot about how comfortable the bed was. During our four days at Palazzo Daniele, the whole place felt wonderfully relaxed and welcoming. On my second day I was working in the big shared living room, where guests also eat, when someone brought me fruit and carrot cake. That little gesture made me feel like I was at my family’s house for Christmas. The open kitchen is right beside it, and you can help yourself to fruit or ask for a quick espresso while Paola and team cook delicious food. Dinner in the common room was lovely, with elegant table settings by the fireplace. The home-cooked Puglian food is not to be missed, especially the tiramisu, which is the best I’ve ever had. I also booked a massage with Emanuela, who was wonderful, and it helped my sore back and travel-weary muscles. At the last minute, they even pressed my husband’s shirt before we left. Everyone was so kind. Thank you to Fabio, Paola, and the rest of the team, whose names I can’t all remember. You’ve made something special, and I felt at home there, just as if my family lived in a palazzo.

The town around Palazzo Daniele has a charm I would normally have enjoyed, and the property itself is pretty. That makes the stay all the more disappointing. I paid premium rates expecting the bathroom shown in the listing, but the room we got had a completely different setup. Its shower was down a flight of stairs in a separate room, and that was never disclosed. There were no photos of this bathroom on the hotel's own site either, so I had no way to know what I was booking. The bathroom felt like a U.S. roadside motel, with poor cleanliness, an unattractive appearance, and harsh lighting that made it seem like a dingy basement. The hotel admitted the online photos were wrong and blamed a booking partner, but would not offer a fair resolution. There were other problems in the room: some electrical issues and lights that did not work properly, incorrect WiFi details at check-in, and dirty floors with visible dust that got onto our luggage, shoes, and feet. There were no luggage stands at first. After I asked, they gave us only three for five pieces of luggage. I raised these issues during the stay, but no manager came to speak with me, apologize, or try to fix things. I saw the manager on the property several times, yet they avoided acknowledging me or discussing the concerns. Even when the booking platform contacted the hotel for me, the manager refused to act. At these rates, I expected attentive service and accountability when things went wrong. Instead, I got a misleading listing, a poorly maintained room, and dismissive treatment. I would strongly caution others against booking until the listings are corrected, basic maintenance and cleanliness are addressed, and management responds to guests.

We stayed just one night, and a handwritten welcome card with cold drinks and fruit in the room would have been a nice touch. Since there is no minibar, a fridge where guests can get cold water after the staff have gone home would also help. Those are small suggestions; we had very little else we felt needed improving. The property is stunning, with a minimalist design that lets its natural beauty stand out. Sustainability is clearly a priority, from eco-friendly products to natural-fiber bed linens and bath towels. We also loved being able to come and go from the open kitchen and arrange meals in different spots around the property. It makes the place feel like a home away from home. The honesty bar is a lovely extra, and the food was fresh and delicious, with local butchers and fishermen regularly supplying produce. We work in the luxury hotel industry, so we were curious about Palazzo Daniele and wanted to experience it ourselves. The team struck a great balance between professionalism, friendliness, and relaxed, attentive service. Get to know them if you can. They are incredibly nice, and the more familiar they are with you, the more they can do to make your stay memorable. Thanks especially to Riccardo and Henry. We hope to return.