La Serra - Villa De Bonis

The attic made this our most beautiful stay in Lecce, even though we visit often. We loved the historic villa, and the welcome, cleanliness, and hospitality made our two days really special. Mr. Mario was always there when we needed him, without ever hovering, and made us feel part of the place rather than just guests. He even gave us a generous basket of fruit. We were thrilled with our choice and will be back. Thank you so much for everything!

The villa itself is beautiful, and the garden is lovely, which makes the setting all the more disappointing. It's wedged between a highway and an industrial estate, so it was never quiet. We stayed in an outbuilding by the pool instead of the villa and didn't use the pool, since the gardener was tending the fire and smoke filled the area. Everything was arranged impersonally through a phone app that basically left you to figure things out yourself. That sounds like a lot of hassle for older guests. In a different location this might have earned more stars, but I wouldn't recommend it. Such a pity.

The gardens and all the villa's spaces were so clean and well cared for, and the pool was wonderful. Our girls had a lovely time exploring every corner, with the three four-legged friends keeping an eye on them. Jonathan was attentive throughout, and Luigi gave us a warm welcome. We felt pampered from beginning to end. It felt like living in the 1900s, just a stone's throw from Lecce. We'll return as soon as we get the chance.

The place is a little dated, but everything was clean and well looked after. There's a huge, well-maintained garden and an excellent pool. We'll definitely come back.