A wonderful location, a captivating heritage and a property abundant in style, Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa is a magnificently restored palace in the heart of Puglia’s magical city, Ostuni. Originally a palace dating back to the 18th century, the extraordinary property has been beautifully restored by the owners in partnership with local artisans and specialist craftsmen, Whilst maintaining its splendid authenticity and historical atmosphere whilst, the restoration has injected a timeless exclusivity, elegance and stylishness. Artfully curated public areas – walled gardens, an outdoor pool, a private spa, a gourmet restaurant, a bar and a wine cellar – immerse guests in sublime luxury and historic splendour making the Paragon 700 hotel in Ostuni the best boutique hotel in Puglia. The beyond-compare hotel of dazzling beauty and artistic richness is complemented by 11 spectacular, individually styled bedrooms and suites, including the jaw-droppingly palatial Paragon Suite.
Guests can also expect curated experiences tailor-made to their preferences, from day trips on the hotel’s private yacht and al fresco art classes to wine tastings, motorbike tours and cooking classes. The palace hotel’s affiliate beach club P-Beach, means you can relax by the sea in yet more style
An exclusive and tranquil oasis just five minutes’ walk from the fairy-tale historic centre of Ostuni, Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa offers the rare opportunity to stay at a coveted address in an architecturally and historically significant property.
The very pinnacle of luxury and magnificent beauty, Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa in Ostuni Puglia is a hallmark of immense style and panache, all wrapped in a seductive ambience that oozes sophistication and indulgence. Palazzo Rosso (red palace) – a noble 18th-century mansion painted in Pompeian red – makes a striking landmark in Puglia’s White City, Ostuni. Lavishly restored, it is now a refined boutique hotel, overflowing with palatial character and heritage infused with eclectic flair and impeccable elegance.
Intimately defined as a boutique hotel, Paragon 700 is exceedingly grand in architectural beauty.
Envisioned by its Swiss owners-designers, the classically styled luxury boutique hotel in Puglia has been handsomely executed with every detail exquisitely designed. With a great eye for aesthetics, this is where palatial architecture merges with the use of classic and eclectic elements to create spaces that are jaw-dropping yet so well-thought-out.
The hotel’s interior design also takes inspiration from global elements with bespoke pieces from Africa to India. South African custom-made sofas, antique Argentinian tin plates, bric-a-brac from English flea markets, quirky contemporary art, and whimsical touches like the waistcoated wooden monkey on the bar all jostle against a backdrop of fine frescoes, stone vaults and period architectural features.
This is a timeless place where elegance and history are found in each of the 11 sumptuous suites and bedrooms. Individually decorated, they may have original frescoes, high ceilings, huge fireplaces, carefully selected antiques and contemporary bathrooms.
This luxury adults-only hotel in Ostuni, Puglia cocoons a private, walled garden of 1,700m2 that is graced with orange groves, lemon trees, a striking swimming pool, shady colonnades and pergolas for al fresco dining.
The Ostuni hotel has its very own restaurant that offers a decidedly upscale Puglian dining experience in a centuries-old vaulted room. Experience a showcase of modern mixology in the hotel’s bar. There is also an atmospheric wine cellar.
The ancient water cistern was cleverly reinvented as an underground spa, which includes a hydromassage basin, a steam bath, a spa shower with chromotherapy, and a relaxation lounge clad in Himalayan salt walls.
With the boutique hotel’s unrivalled location between Ostuni’s 700th and 800th historic district, guests can look forward to experiencing all that Ostuni and Puglia have to offer. Every aspect of this charming city is right on your doorstep, with the hotel team on hand to arrange tailor-made experiences, from bespoke voyages on the hotel’s private boat to wine tastings, motorcycle tours and cooking classes.
Ostuni is a delightful hilltop town in a region renowned for being immensely beautiful. Within, its gleaming white buildings and brush-with-the-past monuments make for a magical holiday setting, and beyond there is the dazzling coastline, the sun-warmed Salento peninsula. Nearby, you will find Puglia’s many small towns and villages, a treasure trove of art, architecture, history, design and culture.
Exploring this breathtakingly beautiful luxury boutique hotel in Puglia, you will find a number of elegant spaces for you to enjoy and relax and relive the nostalgia of this historic place.
History
This elegant design hotel is housed in Palazzo Rosso, which has a long and fascinating history. Once the home of Ostuni’s first mayor, Don Paolo Tanzarella, here legends and tales of conspiracies inhabit its walls, and every corner has a story to tell.
This noble palace has always been at the centre of the town’s public and social life. It was here that the trainieri (cart drivers) were waiting for their daily assignments.
Since his youth, Don Tanzarella had been a member of the insurrectionary movement “Giovine Italia”. In great secrecy, he invited the region’s most prominent patriotic figures to meet in the plush lounges and the 14 bedrooms of the 2-storey Palazzo Rosso. Their cause was to transform Italy into a democratic republic under the principles of Freedom, Independence and Unity. The conspiratorial gatherings at Don Paulo’s ended up being successful. On June 26, 1860, ten years after this first meeting and after centuries of foreign occupation, Ostuni was the first city in Puglia to proclaim Italy’s unification and proudly fly the red, white and green flag. Forty days later, Paolo Tanzarella became the city’s first mayor.
Throughout his tenure, he focused on turning Ostuni into both a more urban and a more libertarian place. Upon his death in 1897, the benefactor of the White City bequeathed his entire estate, the family Palazzo, the furniture, the carriages and the horses to his eldest son.
At the turn of the century, things changed, and so did the Palazzo. Still owned by the Tanzarella family, the building hosted the Biennial exhibition of the Industrial Technical Institute and then, in 1971, four classes of the city’s new Scientific High School. Later, it contained the barracks of the powerful Italian Customs and Financial Police.
Since then, for more than 40 years, the beautiful Palazzo stood vacant and almost abandoned.
The current owners of Paragon 700 hotel in Ostuni, both in love with Puglia, came across Palazzo Rosso, and it was love at first sight. To them, the Palazzo Rosso was always meant to be a hotel, “it was too beautiful to keep it hidden”. It took three years to completely and meticulously restore every inch of Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa, which is now once again a striking red palace in the heart of Ostuni.
Suites & rooms at boutique hotel Paragon 700 hotel in Ostuni
Masterfully restored with artistic flair while maintaining the building’s architectural integrity, guests at the best boutique hotel in Puglia can indulge in an ambience that is elegant and historic, yet modern and inviting.
Individually curated, each of the 11 bedrooms is a triumph of sophistication and originality, underscored by maximum luxury and comfort. The elegance and stature are magnified by the period detailing, including high ceilings and original frescoes of pastoral landscapes and Biblical narratives. Features such as French oak parquet floors, antiques from far-flung corners of the globe, huge bathtubs, or a decorative fireplace add to the rooms’ distinctive charm. Eclectic furnishings include spice-coloured bedheads from South Africa, sunflower lamps from Thailand, Apulian carved-wood armoires and commodes. Some suites have a private terrace overlooking Ostuni’s rooftops.
Luxurious details are everywhere: stonewashed bed linen, iPad Pros loaded with all the information you will need for your stay, minibar with complimentary soft drinks, underfloor heating or air conditioning. The marvellous bathrooms offer bathtubs with rain showers or walk-in showers, linen bathrobes and luxury bathroom amenities from L:a Bruket. For added convenience, guests will benefit from free secure parking.
Whichever of the exquisitely unique bedrooms and suites you choose at Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa, it is guaranteed to be magnificent. From the Deluxe Rooms to the Paragon Suite, there are four room categories:
PARAGON SUITE – 55m2: For the ultimate suite experience, book the Paragon Suite. It boasts gorgeous architectural detailing such as fine frescoes and murals. Seven metres high cathedral ceilings add to the suite’s visually mesmerising drama and elegance. A sunken bathtub and a grand open fireplace are an open invitation to indulge the sumptuous atmosphere. Doors lead to a large private terrace, which overlooks the hotel’s garden and pool. The outdoor area is complete with sun loungers for exquisite moments of relaxation.
LOFT SUITES – from 45m2 to 58m2: Embellished with cathedral ceilings, each Loft Suite could tell a thousand different stories. The period frescoes on the ceilings and the walls speak of the glorious past of the Palazzo Rosso. There are unique details in every corner: Arab stuccoes, armchairs unearthed in the antique markets in Italy, majestic Thai chandeliers, restored South African wardrobes, glass doors in Corten with linen inlays made in Ostuni. The striking dark tonality amplifies the distinctness and elegance of the interior, while the outdoor shower area is filled with sunshine and light.
DELUXE SUITES – from 35m2 to 46m2: The Deluxe Suites are a tribute to refined taste, with the perfect balance between glorious heritage and modern chicness, between local crafts and objects from far away. Here, you can relax in front of the imposing fireplace or on the private terrace. Pamper yourself in the luxurious bathrooms with walk-in showers or bathtubs with rain showers.
DELUXE ROOMS – from 26m2 to 45m2: The glorious Deluxe Rooms enjoy a character-rich ambience of splendid artistry, classy finesse, period charm and timeless luxury. Be prepared to be absorbed by unique features such as a private Turkish bath, an original headboard, a bathtub made from an old South African boma, a view of the historic centre of Ostuni or the hotel’s luxurious garden complete with a swimming pool.
Restaurants & bars
Guests can eat in the gardens, the orangery or in the bistro-style dining restaurant, complete with a show kitchen and the old olive press that is now an Arthurian round table. For a convivial evening, refined tapas and finger-foods are served in the gardens, aperitifs and nightcaps in the fireplaced lounge bar.
RESTAURANT 700: For a complete Apulian culinary experience, book Restaurant 700 – a luxury that should not be missed.
The restaurant is located in the centuries-old vaulted stone chamber, where diners are welcomed in an unpretentious yet stylish and authentic environment. The old olive oil press has been transformed into a convivial table and, together with the state-of-the-art kitchen, creates a modern environment steeped in history.
An ode to Apulian flavours, the restaurant brings a modern flair to the region’s authentic cuisine. This is a cuisine that never forgets the past, its flavours and traditions, but which turns a sophisticated eye to the future.
The dishes have their roots in the land and are always the result of a combination of tradition and innovation. Inspired by the extraordinary local products that Puglia has to offer, the chef pays particular attention to the choice of raw materials, according to seasonality and territoriality. The produce is sourced from local fishers and farmers or as near as the hotel’s own kitchen garden.
The restaurant offers diners the opportunity to indulge in two different tasting menus, showcasing the talent and passion of the chef. This culinary feast may include some of the restaurant’s signature dishes such as Cauliflower marinated with miso, almond milk and caviar; Tartelette with porcini mushrooms, black truffle and egg yolk confit; Mackerel meunière with sea fennel, wild chicory and capers consommé; plus an edit of imaginative desserts, one intriguingly dubbed ‘“The Breakfast” Memories to die for….”. There is also an a la carte option. The food can be accompanied by some excellent regional wines from the hotel’s impressive wine cellar.
The à la carte breakfast – served in the restaurant – includes fruit smoothies, homebaked bread, pastries, jams, eggs, yoghurt with cereals, seeds, dried and fresh fruits, Apulian cheeses, cold cuts and hot dishes cooked to order. On some Sundays in summer, a convivial and belt-busting brunch is served, with market delicacies, including cheeses and charcuterie, fruits, club sandwiches, croque monsieur and hamburgers oozing with regional caciocavallo cheese.
Alternatively, you can have breakfast or dine in summer on warm evenings on the terrace facing the orange grove and stunning pool. Guests also have access to room service menus should they prefer not to dine in the restaurant.
BAR 700: The atmospheric bar is strikingly decorated with timeless elegance and dazzling stylishness. Forming a stunning centrepiece, the 8.5-metre long stone counter is lined with vintage tin plating from Argentina and has a monkey statue standing guard. Scenographic chandeliers and centuries-old majolica tiles from the palazzo’s past all add to the bar’s eclectic vibe.
It is the perfect place to discover the art of mixology, sample the bar’s signature cocktails or relax with a nightcap. It is also possible to taste wines from the best Apulian and Italian wineries or high-quality liqueurs from all over the world. Finger foods and small sharing plates complete the setting for an evening of enjoyment by the fireplace.
POOL BAR: When the season allows it, cocktails and finger food are served by the pool or under the ancient colonnade of the Ostuni hotel’s large garden. Bask in the sun on the sun loungers and let the fragrances of the Mediterranean surround you. In the shade, sheltered from the glittering Apulian sun, or caressed by the cool evening breeze, guests will be able to enjoy a local aperitif and indulge in the luxury and contentment of this private haven.
WINE CELLAR & WINE TASTINGS: Puglia is a land with extraordinary biodiversity that has allowed it, in the last 15 years, to develop a rich and fascinating wine culture, so much that it has become one of the largest wine-growing regions in Italy with more than 200 wineries. From these lands today are born intense red wines, robust rosé and delicate whites.
In the palace’s old storeroom, where once olive oil was abundant, wines now line the walls. In this unique atmosphere, the resident sommelier can take you on a wine tasting through the region’s Primitivos, Negroamaros and Susumaniellos.
P BEACH RESTAURANT: With a fresh breeze and the sound of waves, the hotel-owned P Beach Restaurant, near Specchiolla, allows guest to unwind and experience a delightful lunch or dinner overlooking the sea. You can choose to enjoy your lunch at the restaurant or directly beneath the beach umbrella or to have a magical dinner by the sea in an elegant and chic setting. Inspired by the local fish and vegetable market, guests will be able to savour Apulian cuisine. The bar is a stylish meeting point, ideal for an aperitif, tapas or a cocktail,
Spa & relaxation
The spa and wellness area is a place of peace and relaxation, indulgence and reflection. From deep tissue massages to taking the plunge in the striking pool, the wellness area offers a seductive retreat for mind, body and soul. As the only hotel in the heart of Ostuni to offer a swimming pool and a lush garden, Paragon 700 is an unrivalled haven for guests looking to unwind and recharge in sheer tranquillity.
THE SPA 700: Once the historic palace’s water cistern, set seven metres below ground, this space now serves as the Ostuni hotel’s well-equipped spa. It features a hydromassage pool, a steam bath, a spa shower with chromotherapy, a treatment room for two and a relaxation area lined with Himalayan salt walls designed to enhance the well-being.
The hotel spa offers an impressive array of services, ranging from results-driven facials to luxurious body treatments and indulgent signature treatments such as the 2-hour salt ritual. Body treatments promise to revitalise, tone and detoxify, and massages borrow from Ayurvedic and Mediterranean practice, including ‘Shirodhara’, where water droplets rhythmically fall on your head. In summer, you can have your massage in a private leafy courtyard of the garden.
OUTDOOR POOL: Offering total privacy in the glorious setting of the old walled garden, the pool area is a haven of peace. The supremely elegant 15-meter swimming pool is the only one in the city of Ostuni and is a welcome luxury after a day spent under the warm Apulian sun. At the sun deck by the pool, you will find wonderful sun loungers. The pool par serves iced tea, refreshing drinks and sophisticated cocktails.
GARDEN: An unexpected oasis of peace in the heart of the White City is the private garden, which is also the largest one in Ostuni, measuring around 1,700m2. This is a place where you can surrender to the pleasure of reading a book, dreaming or simply enjoying the moment. Individual yoga or pilates sessions can also be held here.
And to make a magical evening unforgettable, what could be more beautiful than a candlelit dinner under the fragrant branches of orange trees?
BEACH CLUB: Paragon 700’s affiliate establishment is the P-Beach Club and Restaurant at Specchiolla, a stunning cove on the Adriatic. Here, you can swim or snorkel in the reefs, relax on the lounge beds and enjoy Apulian fish and seafood to the sound of lapping waves or a DJ.
Experiences & activities at Paragon 700 Ostuni
With Paragon 700’s unrivalled location between Ostuni’s 700th and 800th historic district, guests can look forward to experiencing all that Ostuni and Puglia have to offer.
The alluring variety of activities coupled with insider knowledge and expertise makes the Ostuni hotel the ideal destination for explorers, foodies, shoppers, golfers, beachgoers and globetrotters alike. With beautiful Ostuni as their playground, guests will relish in the hotel’s peace and tranquillity while enjoying the buzz of Italy’s White City as and when they please. There is a wealth of unique experiences and activities on offer both at the hotel itself as well as in the surrounding area:
TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS: Paragon 700 hotel organises temporary exhibitions that embrace artists from different schools, eras, themes and techniques. There are works by Italian and foreign artists, including paintings, sculptures and photographic art.
BUY THE HOTEL DÉCOR: Guests who fall in love with Paragon 700’s chic interiors will be delighted to discover that they can buy select furniture and decor to take home as the ultimate holiday memento. Any sold pieces will be replaced by the boutique hotel’s stylish owners, who will be happy to have an excuse to indulge their passion for sourcing eclectic items.
COOKING CLASSES: Discover Puglia’s distinctive regional gastronomy by joining a hands-on private cooking class in a local masseria. The 3-hour immersion will offer the chance to discover local ingredients and specialities while cooking typical Apulian dishes, which can then be enjoyed for lunch.
PRIVATE BOAT VOYAGES: The hotel’s 15-meter motorboat is available for guests to charter for a day out on the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Guests can board from the quaint seaside town of Savelletri and spend the day exploring secluded coves and picturesque bays, stopping for refreshing swims whenever suits. The experienced crew will guide guests through the waters to the best spots along the coast and will also be on hand with cooling drinks and a delicious lunch for the ultimate day out on the water.
OLIVE OIL TASTING & PICNIC IN AN OLIVE GARDEN: Nothing quite so typifies Puglia as the millions of ancient olive trees scattered across the region. With roughly 60 million olive trees, Puglia produces 40% of Italy’s olive oil, which is considered to be of outstanding quality. On this excursion, you will be taken to an olive oil mill for an authentic tasting experience before sitting down for a relaxed picnic amongst the olive groves.
BURRATA SCHOOL: Burrata is an Italian milk product hailing from beautiful Puglia, basically consisting of a shell of mozzarella, filled in with a mix of strands of mozzarella and cream. Guests of Paragon 700 can look forward to an exclusive visit to a local cheese producer to see how the famous cheese is made. Guests will be hands-on, learning the secrets of exquisite cheese making. There will also be a burrata cheese tasting.
MOTORBIKE TOURS: For a scenic ride, the hotel offers guided motorbike tours among winding roads, along the sea or through centuries-old olive groves. The guide will accompany you to discover the Itria Valley, Salento or Gargano.
PUGLIA’S WHITE TOWNS: Rising above the stunning landscapes of Puglia, the città bianche (white towns) are iconic of the region. Scattered gloriously across hillsides, these ancient town clusters offer historic whitewashed buildings and charming cobbled streets and are as beautiful from afar as they are up close. From the hilltop charm of Ostuni and Locorotondo to the architectural treasures of Martina Franca and foodie delights in Cisternino, do not miss to explore Puglia’s best white towns.
GOLF: For keen golfers, San Domenico Golf is a beautiful 6,300-metre long 18-hole, par 72 course set against the stunning backdrop of the Adriatic coast. Characterised by a combination of strategically positioned bunkers and intricate mistral-oriented design, this demanding links course designed by the European Golf Design (the UK) winds through gentle slopes, zigzagging among centenary olive trees and glimpses of the ancient city of Egnathia. This is why it is not surprising that it has established itself as one of the best golf clubs in Italy. This Mediterranean golf course is only 30 minutes from Paragon 700.
POLIGNANO GROTTOS: Visit these scenic rocky grottos to discover deep and expansive caves that run in a jagged line along the coastal cliff walls. There are almost 40 grottos of this kind in Polignano a Mare alone. The largest of these is Grotta Palazzese, which is considered one of the world’s most beautiful wonders. Guests can visit by boat and swim within the mystical caves beneath the stunning Italian coastline for a magical day out.
Sustainability
The Ostuni hotel uses environmentally sound micro-cogeneration heating and natural gas. It is plastic-free and uses very little paper, and the gardens are irrigated with rainwater. The restaurant embraces a wholesome philosophy, with a focus on local, organic, and seasonal ingredients, using short-chain suppliers, home-grown produce, local fishing crews and non-intensive farms.
Setting & location of the best boutique hotel in Puglia
As one of Puglia’s most beautiful cities, there are many compelling reasons to visit historic Ostuni, named the White Town for its whitewashed buildings and fortified walls.
Ostuni impresses with a picturesque old town that reflects the magic of Italy. Commanding a hill-top setting, visitors have spellbinding views of the endless olive trees in the Valle d’Itria countryside and the glittering Adriatic Sea.
Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa is only five minutes walking distance from Ostuni’s historic centre with its magnificent cathedral as its sparkling centrepiece and a maze of charming cobblestone alleys. This chic town boasts some excellent restaurants, stylish bars, charming shops and fascinating artisan workshops. Ostuni is surrounded by olive groves, so this is the place to buy some of the region’s DOC ‘Collina di Brindisi’ olive oil – either delicate, medium or strong.
In only a few minutes, guests can reach the Adriatic coast, which is only about eight kilometres away. The countryside surrounding Ostuni features wineries, fortified mansions, golf courses and historic small towns.
Exclusive use luxury boutique hotel in Puglia
Whether you are looking for a relaxing escape, a cosy celebration or a multi-generational family reunion, make Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa all yours for a few days…or more. Imagine having access to 11 luxurious guest rooms and suites accommodating up to 22 guests while enjoying a number of exclusive amenities such as the restaurant, the spa, the swimming pool and the gardens.
How to get to Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa
This historic palace hotel in Puglia enjoys a convenient location with easy access:
BY AIR: A 30-minute scenic drive from Brindisi Airport (also known as Salento Airport), open to commercial airlines and private jets, the exclusive hotel in Puglia offers easy access. The journey has plenty of natural splendour, mainly following the coastal road and passing through the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve.
Alternatively, fly into Bari Airport, an hour’s drive away – and, if you have time for ambling, pause at some of the pretty villages along the way. The hotel can arrange private transfers from both Brindisi and Bari Airports.
BY TRAIN: If you arrive by train, the station is a 10-minute drive from the town, so you’ll need to hop on the shuttle or arrange a transfer with the hotel.
Book the best boutique hotel in Puglia
Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa is the ideal destination for well-travelled guests searching for an authentic Puglian experience combined with high style. With the charm, class and grace of a bygone era, this historic hotel in Ostuni Puglia provides a luxurious sanctuary of fine aesthetics, eclectic design and absolute comfort.
