Palais Gentile

A Restored 18th-Century Palazzo in Salento

This atmospheric palazzo turned small luxury hotel in Italy is located within the heart of the Apulian town of Matino. A lovely medieval village just a short drive to the sea, it's a maze of narrow streets and well-preserved history. Dating back to the 18th century, the lovely old building was discovered and restored by a group of friends on the hunt for a family retreat in the warm southern regions where they could build a life based on the simple pleasures of small-town life near the sea.

Following over a year of restoration where they enlisted local artisans to rehabilitate the slightly faded old beauty with respect for the original structure's graceful features, the palazzo has come back to life. Using locally quarried pietra leccese and keeping the beautifully handcrafted tile, the interventions and updates are seamless.

The elegant vintage decor and design touches include finishes made by local artisans and an art collection all balanced with one-of-a-kind pieces collected throughout the region. With just two double rooms and two suites, the hotel is an intimate experience that can be rented individually or all together for larger groups. Breakfast is served daily and the owners can advise on some of the best local eats in town.

The rooftop is reminiscent of a Moroccan riad and a great space to take in the sunset with a glass of wine overlooking the town below. This is an authentic destination that invites you to enjoy and get to know the rhythms of local life.

SALENTO

The charming town of Matino on the Salento Peninsula region has a fascinatingly intact medieval center with narrow streets, ancient palazzi and nice little trattorias and shops, and lies twenty minutes from the Ionian Sea and lovely beaches. Check out the owner's favorite, Lido Pizzo, with crystal clear water surrounded in nature.

Once an ancient and strategic ruling city and port over two thousand years ago, nearby Gallipoli has seen Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Spaniards and Barbarians come and go, leaving behind layers of history and culture within its fortified walls. The solid limestone island is connected by a bridge to the mainland and the well-preserved bastions, towers, and fortifications add to the atmospheric charms of the city.

Dominated by the central Castello Angioino, a fairy-tale medieval castle, and the cathedral, the island's narrow streets, and secret alleyways feature noble residences and palazzos and dozens of amazing restaurants, bars, fun local shops, and art galleries. The Riviera Nazario Sauro is the local beach. And don't miss the renowned fish market.

The stunning Baroque city of Lecce, known as the Florence of the South, is within forty minutes. The lovely UNESCO port town of Otranto is a forty-minute drive and the White City of Ostuni is ninety minutes north.

At the midpoint between the Ionian and the Adriatic lies the historic town of Galatina in Puglia's Salento Peninsula. Sometimes called the belly of Salento, the historic center dates to the 17th and 18th centuries when the town saw development of many noble palaces and a boom in Baroque architecture like nearby Lecce. A hidden treasure among Puglia's southern settlements, the town is charming and less touristy than some of its neighbors with plenty of good restaurants, bars, boutiques and markets. 

Nearby Galatina has a historic center that dates to the 17th and 18th centuries when the town saw the development of many noble palaces and a boom in Baroque architecture like nearby Lecce. A hidden treasure among Puglia's southern settlements, the town is charming and less touristy than some of its neighbors with plenty of good restaurants, bars, boutiques, and markets. Don't miss the authentic town of Narda a few minutes away.

LOCATION

Matina, Puglia, Italy. Nearest Airport: Salento Airport in Brindisi (95km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through Fall