Oh to be an Italian aristocrat! We can just imagine ourselves drifting through the palatial halls of this 18th-century mansion, pausing to admire frescoes of Roman mythology on the ceilings and oil paintings mounted in great gilded frames. This former palazzo has been home to merchants, lawyers and mayors, and is now in the hands of local renovator Mauro, who also transformed Palazzo Guglielmo in a neighbouring town. And what a fine job he’s done! The building’s glittering chandeliers still hang from the ceilings, old leatherbound hardbacks are exhibited in grand wooden bookcases, and the pretty orange grove still stands in the garden. History is lovingly remembered here.
But the vibe is far from old-fashioned. The 12 guest bedrooms and suites are beautifully styled with soft neutrals blending vintage and modern furniture. The bar has climbing indoor plants and books on Vespas and Italian wines, with tables spilling onto a leafy terrace and an emerald-green classic car parked up in the corner – quirky! Salentine dishes are on the menu at the restaurant, and they have a decent selection of wines. Step outside and you’re on Poggiardo’s main square, the heart of this quaint Puglian town. Hop on one of the hotel's free bikes to explore, or drive to the pristine turquoise waters of the Salento coast. This is a delightful taste of quintessential Puglia, and we loved it.
Highs
- Chock-a-block with restored original features: hand-painted frescoes, vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, mosaic floors
- Spacious light-filled bedrooms and plush bathrooms—one even has a private sauna!
- The outdoor pool, set in a peaceful walled garden with citrus trees, is the perfect spot to cool off in the summer
- The charming town of Poggiardo offers an authentic Puglian experience and is within 30 minutes drive of Lecce, Otranto, and beautiful beaches
- The friendly and attentive staff, especially Francesca, are eager to share expert tips on the best local spots.
Lows
- Despite being in the centre of town, you’ll probably need a car for exploring the area, particularly if you want to head to the coast
- Although children are welcome, we feel the vibe of this former palace is better suited to couples
- No twin rooms, but the Suites have two double beds
- No in-room TVs - a conscious decision to avoid disturbing the tranquillity. Check out the books instead (and there's a TV in the relax room)
Best time to go
Puglia’s finest season is late spring (May-June), when the weather’s perfect, wild flowers run riot and the beaches and towns are uncrowded. September is also lovely and balmy. High season runs from July to August, when the region is packed and very hot, but there are music and food festivals every night in towns across the area.
Our top tips
A local speciality that’s well worth trying is the substantial sandwich known as the puccia. Expect a large roll of freshly baked crusty bread, studded with olives and packed with salami, cheese, ham, mozzarella and tomatoes.
- Boutique Hotel
- 12 rooms
- Restaurant and bar
- 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
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The 12 guest rooms are all ensuite doubles, some with second bedrooms or space for extra beds and some that can interconnect. All are extremely spacious, and the palace’s oversized windows let in plenty of light courtesy of electric blinds. Most rooms feature high ceilings, polished terrazzo floors, vintage-chic furniture and historic artworks. Contemporary bathrooms each have their own design, but all have walk-in showers.
Of the seven Double Rooms (Spilo, Kaloceri, Terra, Sabbia, Mare, Amorini and Gold), we particularly liked Amorini, which has a restored ceiling decorated with cherub murals, 19th-century paintings, an old fireplace and plush marble walls in its bathroom. Split-level Spilo has a second double bed on the upper level. Upgrade to a Deluxe Room: choose Venere for a two-seater sauna in your bathroom, a fresco ceiling and view over the square; choose Mosaico for a hammam-style shower, beautiful mosaic floor created by the local masters of the late 19th century, an ornamental frieze bordering the rim of each wall and a chandelier as its centrepiece.
There are three suites in a more modern wing, each featuring two double bedrooms: Junior Suite Sidero is smaller and split over two levels, but has a private terrace; minimalist Asteri has access to a private roof terrace; the largest is Sikalindi, where each bedroom has an ensuite, plus a small, shared lounge.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is included in the room rate and it’s a treat: a generous buffet featuring homemade cakes and pastries, fresh fruit, local cheeses, hams, roasted vegetables and tomatoes to top your friselle. On balmy days you can eat in the courtyard garden or indoors. You won’t go thirsty either: the main bar downstairs is open to guests and locals throughout the day, serving light snacks, coffee, cocktails and aperitivos. Additionally, each bedroom has a minibar and there's an honesty bar in the guest salon.
The hotel’s popular La Piazza restaurant (under different ownership), opens for dinner every evening except Mondays. Traditional Salento dishes are served in the charming courtyard surrounded by old citrus trees. Fresh seafood and Puglian wines take centre stage - our seafood and courgette flower linguine was particularly delicious. If you prefer to dine out, there are a couple of restaurants a short walk away - ask staff for recommendations.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Cool off in the swimming pool set in the shady garden, where plenty of sunbeds and pool towels await. The bar staff can bring out snacks and refreshments whenever you wish
- Explore Poggiardo: visit the 14th-century castle and the Baroque-style Church of San Salvatore, then stop for an espresso in the square to soak up the town’s slow pace of life
- Wander through the charming coastal town of Otranto (25-minute drive), with its winding lanes, historic castle, and ancient city wall. It gets full to bursting in July and August but remains pretty quiet for the rest of the year. Take your swimmers for a quick dip in the turquoise waters.
- Spend a day in must-see Lecce (30-minute drive) admiring its stunning Baroque churches and palaces
- Explore the Salento coast: for white sandy shores, head to the beaches near Otranto. One of the best is I Due Mori, near the Alimini Lakes (30-minute drive)
- In the early evening, visit the picturesque, yet lesser-known town of Castro (10-min drive). Stroll along the ancient city walls for panoramic sea views, then enjoy an aperitivo in a charming square. We loved the platters of local produce at Delizie in Contea.
- Cycle the specially designed routes around the area, with bikes available for free from the hotel
- Wine tastings, boat trips, and in-room massages can also be arranged by the staff
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Kids
Kids are welcome at Palazzo Circolone, but it doesn’t particularly lend itself to families. The sophisticated vibe, tranquil atmosphere and stacks of antiques throughout the hotel mean it’s probably better for older children or babies (under fours stay free of charge). There are connecting rooms, and baby cots and high chairs are available to borrow on request.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Double Rooms Sabbia and Terra can interconnect, and the Suites have two double bedrooms. Deluxe Rooms can have an extra single bed on request. Note that no rooms have twin beds or bathtubs.
Distances:
- Airport: 60 minutes
- Clinic/Hospital: 15 minutes (Scorrano)
- Shops: 10 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Palazzo Circolone is located in Poggiardo, southern Puglia - the heel of the Italian boot. It's about an hour from Brindisi airport, and around 10 minutes from the coast.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Brindisi (92km).
From the Airport
The hotel offers transfers, but hiring your own car will enable you to explore the region - see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Brindisi 92.0 km BDS
Other:
- Beach 8.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 9 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape