Casa a Corte, a villa rental in Puglia, Italy

Easy Elegance and Warm Hospitality on the Lesser-Known Side of Puglia

This five-bedroom, three courtyard palace with its abundance of Lecce stone, exudes classic Nardò, a storied 16th- and 17th-century mansion of swirling cement tiles, magnificent arches and vaults, carved stone corbels, stately columns and limestone friezes climbing its 18-foot walls.

Owners Anne Benichou and Sylvain Greiner spent their careers in luxury hotels, the kind where the morning croissant arrives before you've thought to ask for it. Then, in 2019, after two years of meticulous restoration, they opened Casa a Corte in the baroque heart of Nardò. This 16th-century palazzo is, in every way, the hospitality education made personal.

Wooed by its seductive Baroque atmosphere, they enhanced the noble space, restoring its faded beauty and taming any tendency toward sumptuousness in favor of a warm, understated antique elegance. Each unique room reveals authentic architectural treasures, from gracefully curving entries and antique stone floors, to restored ceiling frescos and the original stone sculptures discovered during the renovation. Two grand living rooms join orange-tree-accented courtyards as the estate's welcoming common areas, and the property offers a fully equipped, contemporary kitchen and romantic courtyard swimming pool.

What we love

Anne and Sylvain have spent careers in luxury hotels, and it shows. But not in the way you'd expect. There are no turndown chocolates, no laminated welcome folders. What they've built instead is a palazzo where the hospitality is in the detail of the restoration itself, the stone sculptures they refused to discard, the chapel room with its centuries-old floor tiles still intact. Use Nardò as your base. The beaches are 10 minutes away, Lecce is 20, and the seafood along this coast deserves its own itinerary. Then come back to the orange-tree courtyard and the pool.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Nardò, Puglia sleeps up to 10 guests. Five bedrooms, each with a private en-suite bathroom and terrace access. Two grand rooms (king beds, open bathrooms, direct courtyard access) and three deluxe rooms (one queen, two kings, each with stand-alone shower). A generously equipped full kitchen opens onto the principal courtyard. There are two grand living rooms with fireplace and projector screen, and a dining room for the whole group.

Experiences

In-house: private chef, orecchiette pasta-making class, wine tastings at regional producers, boat excursions along the Ionian coast, massage treatments, cycling hire. Anne and Sylvain arrange all of the above. Prior notice appreciated for the chef and excursions.

Good to know

Daily housekeeping is included. Breakfast is available at €20 per head, and the well-equipped kitchen is there for everything else. Pets are welcome at no extra charge, but not in the pool. Free parking a short walk away at Piazza Cesare Battisti. The pool is closed November to May.

Amenities & services

Private pool, full kitchen, dishwasher, washer, dryer, coffee maker, daily housekeeping, air conditioning (individual room control), free wi-fi, cable TV with streaming services, bathrobes, beach towels, organic local bath products, projector screen, crib (×2), baby safety gate, concierge service, private chef (on request), cooking classes (on request), wine tasting (on request), boat excursions (on request), massage (on request), bicycle rental, airport transfer (on request), pet-friendly

Around

Italy’s Salento region fills the country’s iconic boot heel, a land of photogenic villages and wild nature. Lecce might be the region’s most notable village, but Nardò is a lesser-known gem of Italian Baroque architecture and not the Puglia you may already know. The small city is loved by those who prefer off-the-beaten path locales and traditional Italian village charms, plus ultra-easy beach access on two seashores, the wild Adriatic and crystal clear Ionian. The nearest beaches are Santa Maria al Bagno and Santa Caterina, each about 10 minutes’ drive from the palace, and for adventure seekers and snorkelers, Porto Selvaggio is the pick.

Punta della Suina offers a mix of pebble and sand, plus shallow waters ideal for lazy swimming, and Nardò’s Torre Uluzzo is a favorite for sunset swimmers. The region offers historical villages for exploring. Take in medieval Galatina, the island city of Gallipoli, and the coastal trio of Castro, Tricase and Santa Cesarea Terme. Clean waters and fishing hamlets translate to delicious fish and shellfish offerings at unassuming cafes. Vineyards and olive groves punctuate the region in classic Italian style, and sporty types can kite surf or hike, fish or cycle or simply beachcomb and sunbathe on the Adriatic or the Ionian. Take your pick.