Apulian Retreat
A stay at Palazzo Daniele
Staring out from the kitchen at Palazzo Daniele, it's a typical wet November evening. A heavy drench orchestrates a peaceful patter over the quiet town of Gagliano del Capo, located in the heel of Italy in Puglia. “Dinner soon!”, chimes Donata, the friendly in-house chef, as she gestures over a couple of simmering pots behind. “Tonight, we have roasted aubergine, tomato meatballs, and some orecchiette pasta.” A very traditional Apulian menu, she explains while guiding us back to our private table in the living room.
Looking up, beautifully restored frescos and arched ceilings impress as much as the hearty food being served. To my side, light blue armchairs, sofas, and understated furnishings by Milanese designers Palomba Serafini Associati perfectly marry Italian modernity to the 150-year-old aristocratic guesthouse. The corner fireplace unsuspectingly crackles away as the evening unfolds. A vintage playlist of Jimmy Fontana spills through from the kitchen, sung along by Donata as she prepares our next course and I couldn't help but feel as if I’m visiting a good friend’s house – homely and convivial, I happily lose myself in the moment of it all.
The next morning, the overnight rain ceased and gave way to chirping swallows in the courtyard. Voices of the staff can be heard outside, softly echoing against the intricate mosaic flooring. Waking up in the Royal Junior Suite, an ornate fresco ceiling greets and regales with monastic murals of Puglia’s countryside, from the rocky coastline of the Adriatic to the sandy shores of the Ionian Sea. As stunning as it is, it's the bathroom next door that has me excited.
Designed by Italian artist Andrea Sala, a showerhead suspended from a six-metre-high vaulted ceiling rains water onto the sandstone basin below. Backlit mirrors, mounted above double vanity sinks, reflect an old family portrait on the opposite wall. Originally conceived as an art installation, I'm taken aback by the imposing room. My awe, however, is quickly soothed away with a long steamy shower, while organic toiletries by Grown Alchemist stylishly take my relaxation up a notch.
Over a two-year restoration process, owner Francesco Petrucci has carefully worked to preserve as much of the existing detail as possible after he inherited the five-generation family palazzo. Contemporary Italian artwork and understated furniture are featured alongside original ceilings and flooring, discreetly complementing the inherent splendour. As a result, Petrucci has reimagined and transformed the family residence into a nine-suite guesthouse for the discerning, seamlessly fusing artful elegance with private Italian hospitality.
As we leave, an inscription in yellow neon scrawl reads the slogan for Palazzo Daniele: “Questa casa non è albergo”, which translates to: ‘This house is not a hotel’. I agree, and it certainly doesn’t take much proverbial digging to discover the owner’s true intent when staying here.
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