Castello di Ugento
Formerly the home of Italian royalty, Castello di Ugento is now home to a nine-room hotel. The ancient castle is situated on a hillside overlooking the town of Ugento. After a four-year renovation, the historic shell has been repurposed as a boutique hotel, an art museum, and culinary school. The five-star accommodations bring together the structure's regal heritage and modern design. No two rooms are alike and feature a mix of contemporary furnishing, antique pieces, and handmade Italian armoires, curated by top Italian designers. The in-house restaurant focuses on local fare using produce grown in the property's18th-century walled kitchen garden paired with wine from the 17th-century cellar. Guests can also take advantage of the on-site botanical gardens with guided tours through the 100 aromatic and medicinal local plants.