Occupying a centuries-old castle nestled amongst a backdrop of a sweeping private park landscape, just a few minutes’ drive from Lecce in Puglia, the enchanting setting and historic premises of the intimate boutique hotel Castle Elvira would be enough reason to stay there but what makes it one of the best hotels in Puglia and a must-visit is its ultra-stylish interiors.
Extensively refurbished by its artistic owners and the Italian architectural firm of Filotico & Partner, the luxury boutique hotel in Puglia makes a profound statement with its impeccable taste, polished sophistication and the splendour of graceful living in spacious rooms.
With a collection of modern and antique furniture and exquisitely crafted decorative objects that invigorate the building’s fine architectural heritage with decorative flair whilst infusing the hotel with irresistible elegance and stylish timelessness. Vaulted ceilings, fine mouldings and frescoes denote the hotel’s historical integrity and allure, while the covetable contemporary and antique furniture and an amazing art collection fill the lust-worthy interiors with a sense of excitement; and it is this combination of splendid authenticity and bold design gestures that encapsulates a strong aura of original beauty, indulgent comfort and luxurious charisma.
The luxury hotel’s bedrooms vary in styling, but all share Castle Elvira’s unique sense of exquisite taste and flair. Castle Elvira features four gorgeous bedrooms in the Castle and two additional suites in the Cottage — each of the elegant rooms are designed with luxury, finesse and artistry. Tower Elvira — the sister property and residence to Castle Elvira — has four suites across two buildings that offer private gardens or an exclusive roof terrace and two with al fresco baths.
Luxuriate in the comfort and style of Castle Elvira’s elegant public areas include two open-space lounges, a dining room, a more casual dining area and a private cinema. During spring and summer, you can enjoy al fresco dining, while in the evening, you can take in Puglia’s magical sunset display while sipping an aperitif or a glass of wine on the hotel’s roof terrace. The onsite cafe provides breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving deliciously authentic regional cuisine. Here you can be assured that Castle Elvira’s tailored Italian hospitality extends to food as much as ambience, comfort and design.
The castle’s outdoor amenities include a sumptuous swimming pool, a 12-person jacuzzi and an ornamental pond, while Tower Elvira features its own outdoor pool surrounded by sun loungers and olive and citrus groves.
Why book a room at Castle Elvira boutique hotel in Puglia
With some serious wow factor, it is easy to see why this Italian castle is one of the best boutique hotels in Puglia right now:
- Feels like a magnificent Italian villa, yet it is a historic castle – luxurious, beautiful and quietly grand
- Defined by handsome historic features, architectural integrity, dazzling décor and stunning art
- The spectacular interior is distinctively stylish and tastefully eclectic
- The flawless presentation of the design hotel, fusing classic elegance with contemporary luxury, is articulated with artistic flair and finesse
- Exquisitely designed bedroom suites
- Stylistically perfected living areas, including two lounges, two dining rooms (formal and informal) and a cinema room
- Set against a backdrop of ancient olive trees and citrus groves, the wonderful private parkland setting boasts far-reaching views of the glorious countryside of southern Italy towards the Adriatic coast with its spectacular beaches
- Drinks on the panoramic capacious rooftop terrace are a must for Puglia’s scintillating sunsets
- A true sense of both privacy and sociality
The suites & rooms at Castle Elvira
Handsomely renovated by a team of artisans in a refined yet relaxed style, each of Castle Elvira’s six (four in the Castle and two in the Cottage) en-suite bedrooms tastefully conveys a refined synthesis of sophistication and eclectic style full of boundless allure and authenticity. Guaranteed to impress, the bedrooms in the intimate boutique hotel interweave the historical surroundings and modern luxury with such ease that the overall effect is one of effortless elegance and contemporary class. The beautiful rooms are detailed with only the finest touches, from Timothy Oulton beds and Conran pure linen bedding to Sicilian organic toiletries by Ortigia and oversized towels. The en-suite bathrooms have powerful rainfall showers and carved marble baths in the master suites.
Castle Elvira’s sister residence Tower Elvira offers the same castle luxury in its four suites. Originally built in the 18th century, it was thought to have been created as the lookout tower for the Saint Elia Monastery. Soaring vaulted ceilings meet supersized Timothy Oulton beds and exquisite design fixtures. The en-suite bathrooms feature indulgent rainfall showers with luxury fittings from IB Rubinetti, plus a sunken bath in the Park Suite and a hand-carved sandstone bath on the private terrace of the Top Suite.
Living areas
Combining exquisite taste with timeless elegance and inviting warmth, the fine Italian castle offers distinguished and splendid living areas that are ideal for lounging, socialising, dining and indulging in some quiet moments.
Within the 65m2 enfilade salons, you will find both convivial seating areas and peaceful reading nooks, a beautifully designed 1902 Beckstein grand piano for musical events and glorious vistas of the fragrant gardens. The dining room presents an elegant setting with a touch of formality for fine dining, while you are invited to rediscover the joy of a more family-style, communal experience in the informal dining area. Alternatively, you can choose from one of the terraces that offer the perfect expression of fabulous al fresco dining.
The castle’s four floors can be accessed by a dramatic red glass-lined elevator, travelling from the cosy private cinema on the lower ground level up to the rooftop terrace for aperitif and panoramic views of the open countryside of southern Puglia.
Food & drink
With decades of experience in cooking for many high-end palazzos and masseria kitchens, Elvira’s private chef Fabiana, from Salento, is driven by her passion for traditional Cucina Salentina. With a daily menu that celebrates seasonality, sustainability, and the bountiful fresh produce locally sourced, Fabiana deftly combines culinary creativity with home-grown citrus fruit, pomegranates and fresh herbs. The result is delicious harmonious creations where Fabiana has added her own twist to offer new takes on traditional Puglian cuisine.
Fabiana’s wonderful dishes are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the on-site café, whilst aperitif can be enjoyed on the impressive roof terrace. Unforgettable private dining experiences can be arranged in Castle Elvira’s elegant dining room, in the suites’ private gardens, on the estate’s panoramic roof terrace or amongst Elvira’s luxuriant parkland, enchanting citrus groves and olive groves.
Cocktails and snacks are available on demand from Castle Elvira’s vintage ‘ape’ (traditional 3-wheel truck) transformed into a mobile cocktail bar.
Grounds & outdoor amenities of the boutique hotel in Puglia
Castle Elvira has bottled the magic of Puglia and sprinkled it amongst its dreamy grounds graced with ancient olive groves, large citrus groves, meandering pathways and a decorative pond. Sublimely positioned on 37 acres of parkland beauty, this is an idyllic oasis where you can indulge in the la dolce vita lifestyle.
Nestled within the delightfully expansive garden just a few steps from the main castle, you can enjoy the sun’s splendour and a refreshing dip into the outdoor swimming pool of 70m2 in an atmosphere of absolute privacy and bliss.
This magical backdrop of lush greenery and captivating views allows you to simply unwind on the oversized sun beds, while away a balmy summer afternoon or savour sipping your favourite cocktail. The grounds feature a large 12-person Jacuzzi that offers moments of pure relaxation and serenity.
The roof terrace at the luxury boutique hotel is the perfect spot to savour the incredible Pugliese sunset in all of its glory. Guests are invited to sip cocktails, sample local wines and Prosecco whilst taking in the spectacular 360-degree vistas.
Tower Elvira features its own 40m2 heated outdoor pool, surrounded by citrus and olive groves.
Location
Located just outside of Lecce in Puglia, Castle Elvira is an ideal base from which to explore one of the most charming regions of Italy. It is not far from both Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, with white sandy beaches and stunning rock pools. Visit Otranto and Santa Maria al Bangio, as well as Ostuni, Ceglia Messapica and even cliffside Matera (most recently filmed in Bond’s No Time to Die), a 2-hour drive inland.
Lecce, the gloriously baroque city affectionately known as the ‘Florence of the South’, will steal your heart. As one of the most beautiful cities in Italy to visit, the historic city of Lecce and the surrounding sleepy villages are one of Italy’s most under-the-radar destinations for architecture, food and culture.
Brindisi Airport is only 25 minutes away, whilst Bari airport is two hours by car.
