Hotel Palazzo Papaleo, Otranto, Lecce, Puglia

Hotel Palazzo Papaleo, near Lecce

The Hotel Palazzo Papaleo is in the historic heart of Otranto. Lying on Via Rondachi, in a charming and exclusive part of town, it places you close to the best of the sights, including the cathedral. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata was built in 1088, and has a beautiful mosaic floor and rose window. This is an ancient town with plenty of sights. A must see is the 16th century church of San Francesco di Paola, which lists the victims of the invasion of the city by the Turks in 1480. Almost the entire population was put to the sword, with the unfortunate bishop of Otranto being sawn in half.

Things are considerably quieter now, you'll be pleased to hear, and Otranto comfortably fulfills its role as a charming little resort on Puglia's Adriatic coast. This southern reach of Puglia/Apulia is the Salentine Peninsula, the 'heel' of Italy poking out into the Adriatic (to the east) and the Ionian Sea (to the west). It's a charming countryside, rather reminiscent of Greece with its carob, tobacco and prickly pear plants, and from here you can see Albania and, on a clear day, Greece.

A lovely old building for sure, but with all the modern comforts. This Otranto hotel has double rooms and suites, every room equipped with all modern comforts and is decorated in a Leccese (Baroque) style. and each with at least one piece of antique furniture, designed 110 years ago for the Palazzo Papaleo by Fratelli Piccinno. This is a contemporary decor in marble, chrome and glass, with vibrant colours and fresh flowers, and a magnificent setting, complete with health club and roof-top jacuzzi.

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Double room from €270