Palazzo Guido Boutique Hotel

For context: This was our last stop on a nine day trip through Italy for me, and four month stay for my daughter, who has been studying in Italy and has traveled extensively during her time there. (And I’ve been lucky to go to Italy three times in the last two years.) This was the best place of many wonderful, unique stays i have had from Rome to Florence to Positano to Sicily, and of our 4 nights in Puglia. We were greeted personally by our hostess, Gertrude, who was flexible when we showed up an hour early -and not quite at the right spot. (Oops). She exudes a positive warm, energy. We were immediately blown away by the Palazzo. When I booked, I was focusing on our room, which looked beautiful, and then my desire to be in Lecce. What I did not fully appreciate is the access that we would have to the many beautifully appointed, common spaces and the extensive terrace. There were other guests there but it is so big you don’t see anybody. In retrospect, I wished we had booked several days because we became very quickly comfortable in the fine surroundings. The terrace is great for sunning. There is a piano (tuned!). We enjoyed appertivos and a fine breakfast as part of our stay. Lecce is charming. While there is much to see, from Roman antiquity to the exuberant Spanish Baroque style that permeates the town, the town is full of young people and is no museum. We even saw a wedding, great fun with the groom arriving in a Lamborghini! Also there were outlet stores (!) but in the cutest little shops, not some mall. Gertrude took care of us from start to finish. The staff is attentive and friendly. The palazzo can only survive with our tourist dollars and i hope to return!!!