The Vibe: Eclectic luxury.
The Area: Paragon 700 is located in Ostuni – one of Puglia’s ancient white cities, founded by the Greeks, commanding a hilltop setting overlooking Biblical olive groves to the Adriatic sea. The hotel sits in quiet walled gardens at the top of the historic centre: a short stroll takes you into the labyrinthine medieval citadel.
The DNA: Ostuni’s Palazzo Rosso (red palace) – a noble 18th-century mansion painted in Pompeian red – makes a striking landmark in the white city. Lavishly restored, interiors are eclectic and colourful, with South African custom-made sofas, antique Argentinian tin-plates, bric-à-brac from English flea markets, quirky contemporary art, and whimsical touches like the waistcoated wooden monkeys on the bar. All jostle against a backdrop of faded frescoes, stone vaults and period architectural features. As far as dining, head chef Giovanni Cerroni, the protégé of Michelin-starred Paulo Airaudo, offers a menu that celebrates local ingredients and cuisine. Open to guests and locals alike, Restaurant 700 offers an intimate dining experience in addition to local vintages from the hotel’s wine cellar. Be sure to swing by Bar 700 for an aperitif, nightcap or other cocktail. The hotel team can arrange and curate tailor-made experiences, from bespoke voyages on the hotel’s private boat to wine tastings, motorbike tours and cooking classes. Guests can also take advantage of reserved sun loungers at P-Beach, Paragon 700’s sister beach club. The hotel plays host to events throughout the year, from al fresco art classes to open-air cinema evenings. Regarding wellness, guests can enjoy personalized yoga or Pilates classes in a secluded corner of the garden. The palace’s former water chamber has been transformed into a spa offering a Turkish bath, Himalayan salt wall, multisensory shower and a natural whirlpool dug into the ground. Couples booking the two mezzanine-level treatment rooms can enjoy exclusive access to the spa, essentially their own private wellness sanctuary.
Suite-Me-Up: Suites feature French parquet flooring, stonewashed bed linens, cathedral ceilings, period frescos and fireplaces. Each guest room is different, some offering terraces, balconies or, in the case of the Paragon Suite, a sunken bathtub and private terrace with sun loungers. Guests can even buy select furniture and décor to take home.
Seen: The Spaces
Accolades: Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2021
✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 11 rooms & suites (31-55m2) (334-592 sq ft) • hotel opened: June 2020 • on-site parking (charged) • no pets allowed • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible • adult-only
