This is a hotel with an artistic soul, and 2 romantic tales attached. The owner’s grandmother, Antonia Fiermonte, ran away from her village to 1930s Paris, where she married French sculptor René Letourneur, before ditching him for his best friend, sculptor Jacques Zwobada. Le Fiermontina is a tribute to her, filled with artworks by both husbands and other artists such as Le Corbusier. The second tale regards her brother, another colourful character. A boxer, he later became a Hollywood actor, and married American socialite Nancy Astor – the chic basement bar is dedicated to him, bright with posters of his boxing and film career.
The hotel itself merges Parisian style with Puglian culture (the owner is from Paris but his roots are here), and has a pole position in Lecce, Puglia's most splendid town. The historic city walls skirt its shady, sculpture-dotted gardens, and so much space is a surprise this close to the centre. 18 elegant suites, many with lofty star-pinnacled ceilings, are found within the converted, golden-stone 17th-century buildings. The restaurant, Zephyr, brings you light, contemporary Mediterranean dishes; enjoy them outside in summer in a citrus grove, or in the barrel-vaulted dining room. There's a quiet grandeur about the place, and the minimalism and peace make it an ideal place for couples.
Highs
- Space and calm in Lecce's city centre, a short walk from the main sights
- Elegant interior design (from Paris) and careful attention to detail
- Lots of space in the 18 rooms, and many have a terrace or garden
- Charming, friendly service, which gives a personal feel
- Shady lawns, fragrant orange trees and a lovely pool
Lows
- Expensive, and rates don't include tax
- No spa, though treatments are available in your room
- It almost feels too grown up for kids, yet they are welcome and you'll feel at ease with them here
Best time to go
Puglia is at its finest in June and September, as it's usually warm enough to swim, and it's uncrowded. July and August are hot and busy but have a vibrant atmosphere, with lots of local festivals. April, May and October are also lovely, though cooler, and the winter months are chilly but fun because of the Christmas festivities.
Our top tips
In the height of summer, the best possible pick-me-up is ghiaccio con latte di mandorla (espresso with ice and almond milk), a Leccese speciality.
- Boutique Hotel
- 18 rooms
- Restaurant and bar open daily
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The rooms have almond-coloured smooth Trani stone on the floors, star-pinnacled stone ceilings, and walls of golden Leccese stone. The furnishings echo these pale tones, a symphony of muted colours, and the restrained palette is immediately relaxing.
There are various room categories, from Doubles up to Suites. All are lovely, though we haven't seen the newer Junior Suite Deluxe or the Suites à Cotè just yet. Our stand-out room was One-Bedroom Suite #8, with great garden views from its gleaming-white circular bath. Some of the rooms have showers and freestanding bathtubs, while the rest have large walk-in showers.
A few rooms are in the Lazzari villa across the garden courtyard, offering even more privacy. #15, a Duplex Suite, has a gorgeous private garden lined in roses and small lemon trees, plus a sofa bed for kids or additional adults.
The Suites à Côté are in a separate building near the entrance to the resort. Here there are three suites: Gelsomino, Verticale and Pool, the latter coming with its own private plunge pool in the garden. These suites follow the same elegant design scheme as the other rooms, with original artworks and design pieces decorating the interior.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The intimate Zephyr restaurant has an extraordinarily high, wood-coffered ceiling and a barrel-vaulted dining room. It’s elegant throughout, with small glass-topped tables, potted palms and silver cutlery from Paris. At one end are armchairs around a fireplace – a relaxing setting for a pre-dinner drink or post-prandial. Glass doors lead out to the courtyard where there are tables in the citrus grove for warmer days.
Dinner is a complex a la carte menu. Our starter was prawn carpaccio with basil and citrus olive oil – deliciously light – followed by a main of seared tuna served on crispy potato with vegetables brunoise. Guests have raved about the food. As you'd expect there's an extensive wine menu.
A buffet breakfast includes cured meats, local cheeses, crostate (jam tart) and homemade jams. Cooked breakfasts are extra, but worth it – we loved our fried egg with chard and bacon. There are light lunches available, or restaurants abound in Lecce and staff can advise.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Wander around historic Lecce, with its Baroque churches, glorious cathedral and Roman ruins; the hotel arrange excellent walking tours
- Day trip to the gleaming-white hilltop town of Ostuni, the graceful marble towns of Cisternino and Martina Franca, and Alberobello, with its extraordinary townscape of cone-shaped buildings
- There are lovely beaches along the Puglian coast, with white sand and powder-blue sea: Baia dei Turchi has a number of secluded coves
- The hotel can arrange guides for the region, as well as traditional dance lessons, countryside picnics or wine and olive-oil tastings
- Active types can go horse riding and cycling in Salento (the southern Puglian region)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Dance classes
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Wine tasting
Kids
Children are welcome, and there's plenty of space for them to roam around the gardens and play in the pool, though the ambiance is serene. Children aged 0-4 stay for free. The concierge can suggest local activities.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
One-Bedroom Suites #5 and #6 can interconnect, as can Suite Verticale and Suite Gelsomino (Suites à Côté). The Duplex Suite, Romantic Suite and Antonia Fiermonte Suite can all accommodate a family of four as they have sofabeds, and many of the rooms have space for baby cots.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots
- Highchairs
- Changing mat
- Baby bath
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
The chef can accommodate requests for children's meals
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool
- Paddling pool
- Gardens
Kids Activities nearby:
- Beaches within 30 minutes, the nearest is San Cataldo, San Foca is considered the best
Families Should Know:
The Duplex Suite isn't recommended for families with small children because the bedroom is on the first floor
Distances:
- Airport: 30 minutes
- Hospital: 10 minutes
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
La Fiermontina is just inside Lecce's historic city walls, in Salento, southern Puglia - the heel of the Italian boot. It's half an hour from Brindisi airport, and 20 minutes from the coast. Lecce is a good base for exploring Puglia, with the towns of Ostuni, Alberobello, Otranto and Gallipoli all less than an hour away.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Brindisi (48km), but you could also fly into Bari (163km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines which fly to these airports.
From the Airport
The hotel offers transfers, but hiring your own car will enable you to explore the region - see our car rental recommendations. The hotel has off-street parking.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Brindisi 48.0 km BDS
- Bari 163.0 km BRI
Other:
- Beach 15.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape