Castle Elvira

Castle Elvira is truly a spectacular gem of a hotel. I only wish we could have stayed longer! This beautifully restored castle, located in the charming town of Trepuzzi, just outside of Lecce, is a masterpiece of design and hospitality. The owners, Steve and Harvey, were wonderful hosts, and every single member of the staff was excellent, going above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. The property itself is stunning, from the immaculate pool and exquisite restaurant to the charming screening room, which is located in the basement of the castle and accessed via a beautiful iron spiral staircase. The art, both inside and around the property, is innovative and quirky—I loved every bit of it! One of the highlights of our stay was experiencing their weekly 'Pizza and Prosecco' night. We were treated to all-you-can-eat pizza from their custom oven, crafted by a truly talented pizza maker, paired with prosecco. It was an unforgettable evening. I would go back to Castle Elvira in a heartbeat!

In a few words... we felt at home! As soon as we drove in the staff came out the door to take our luggage, park the car and offer us water while ushering us in to the office and proceed to check-in. A couple of minutes later we were already touring the beautifully decorated interior of the castle, showcasing the amazing artwork of Harvey, one of the owners (my favorite being the portrait of Bowie). Speaking of owners... Harvey and Steve are the most gracious hosts. In no other hotel i've stayed ever have i received such a warm welcome. We didn't feel like we were VIP guests, we felt like we OWNED the property! That's how generous and friendly they are. Nothing i can say about the castle will top the impeccable service from the staff but yet it's worth mentioning a few highlights. Even though it is a hotel it doesn't feel like it. Unlike big commercial/chain resorts there's no servers chasing after you with bills and/or tabs. Elvira is such an intimate place that guests lounge leisurely while the staff accurately registers consumptions, adding it to the final bill. When deciding what was my favorite thing/moment about our stay i would have to say i'm torn between the friendly/family vibe of Pizza Night at the Restaurant and Happy Hour at the Rooftop Bar. Getting to mingle with the other guests made it feel even more like an old-friends gathering. Our bedroom, the Princess Suite, was spacious and comfortable, with high ceiling. And the light coming in from the large windows made it feel even bigger. There's something about taking a hot shower while feeling the fresh air blowing in from the open windows. This may sound a bit superfluous but it was another pleasurable moment added to our days. Elvira has a large screening room/cinema at the basement and we did have a large TV in our room. The fact that we didn't even use/ turn on either one of them during the whole stay is for me a good indicator of a well-enjoyed vacation. Now what's all this if you can't share it with someone you love? Well, i'm lucky i got to share this with my beautiful wife. I brought back home joyful memories of our stay as well as new friends that i look forward to seeing again soon and the wish to go back to Elvira sooner rather than later.

Fabulous! You can feel the immense love put into the restoration of the property and castle. Quiet, relaxing, beautiful, served some of the best food we ate in Italy. Steve and Harvey are so welcoming. The entire staff was genuinely warm, friendly and super helpful. Highly recommend. Would suggest having a car to check out the incredible surrounding areas. (I’ve never written a review before, our stay was so special I felt compelled to :)