Apulian Retreat
A stay at Palazzo Daniele
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.