Palazzo Ducale Venturi - Luxury Relais & Wellness

We loved the location: it's away from the summer crowds but still close to everything in the south. It worked really well as a base for exploring Italy's southern heel. The hotel was clean, the staff were friendly and keen to help, and the guest service was great.

We booked in a rush and only later realized this wasn't in Lecce, but in a small town 30 km away in the province of Lecce. It ended up being our best mistake. The team, led by the wonderful GM Daunia, did everything they could to make our stay brilliant, and everyone was so kind and warm. Nothing felt like too much trouble. The property is gorgeous, with spacious rooms, chic decor, a beautiful pool, a small gym, fantastic massage service, and lovely breakfasts and dinners. Highly recommend staying here.

Our room was epic, with a rooftop terrace, and the location was great. The beach transfer fee felt a bit steep, but when we mentioned it, they took a little off the price. Breakfast was amazing, and so were the lunches. The staff were very friendly, and the pools were amazing too. Such a gem of a hotel.

The staff really made our stay, especially Chiara and Maurizio, who went out of their way to get my sunglasses back to me after I left them in the lobby. I was too relaxed to remember them, and I really appreciated their help. We also loved the breakfast, with a great choice of fresh hot and cold food in the beautiful garden. On our first night we went to pizza night: the appetiser buffet was delicious, and the pizza from the castle's original woodfire ovens was the best we had during our Puglia holiday. Palazzo Ducale Venturi is a remarkable 5-star luxury hotel in a renovated 16th-century castle, full of history. With so few rooms, it's incredibly peaceful and tranquil.