Modern Glass Pagoda: A Striking Architectural Pool Villa in Puglia
A contemporary shelter in a sea of olive trees in the countryside near Ostuni, this villa offers distant sea views, an enchanting wraparound terraced garden, and a personalized staff serving eight guests.
Each of the four bedrooms features a private, ensuite bath and a casually sophisticated look that features wood-striped ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass, and a whitewashed, minimalist style. The villa’s pool extends invitingly from outside its transparent living, kitchen and dining area, and outdoor seating is abundant, with both covered and sun-splashed patios.
Additional features
Included in the rates: a welcome basket with local produce, pool cleaning, special beach club rates, a midweek linen change, daily concierge service, daily cleaning services (with daily bath and pool towel change, max 4 hours per day), and Italian breakfast ingredients (such as muesli, yogurt, biscuits, cereals, milk, coffee, sliced bread with nutella and jam).
Daily housekeeping, bikes, pool maintenance and an in-house concierge make up the standard staffing. An in-home chef, personal trainer and masseuse are available upon request, along with boat tours, cooking classes, grocery shopping and special event planning.
Around
This dramatic villa is located in the lyrical Valle d’Itria countryside, a quick 10 minutes from the nearest beach and the UNESCO-classified White City of Ostuni. The latter is a must-visit, a vivid historical community on a nearby hilltop. The greater region of Puglia is a storied destination, a land of whitewashed villas, labyrinthine villages, crystalline waters and fragrant herbs, not to mention freshly pressed olive oil, an abundance of seafood and stellar, garden-to-table gastronomy.
The rocky coves and clear waters of the Adriatic are only 10 minutes away, and the lively port towns of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli are reachable by car in about 20 minutes. The region is famed for its dry stacked, conical trulli homes, former agricultural storages that today have been transformed mostly into fairytale private getaways dotting the rural landscape. Thousands of trulli are concentrated in and around Alberobello, another UNESCO-classified village that’s a half-hour away, and other picturesque villages nearby include Cisternino and Locorotondo (20 minutes). The Ionian Sea is also easily accessible from the property, its coastline covering the space between Italy’s boot heel and toe.
Location
Nearest airport: Brindisi (45 mins); Bari (1 hour)
Best time to visit
April to October