Palais Gentile Matino

This is a delightful guest house in a beautifully restored old mansion in an ordinary little town of which few have heard, 20 mins inland from Gallipoli. Carolina and Aurelién, and their 2 gorgeous daughters, are wondeful hosts and are considerate of every guest's needs. The rooftop breakfast restaurant is lovely, and the vegetarian breakfast was very varied and delicious, including a locally baked ricotta cheese cake. The room and bathroom I had were spacious, cool and luxuriously furnished, with full in-room beverage facitites, and someone had put a small vase of fresh flowers in it, a sweet personal touch. Free and unrestricted street parking was easily found nearby, and full directions are given. Aurelién even came out to find me on arrival. Truly, there is no need or desire of which the hosts have not thought. Highly recommended!

Where do I begin....we loved our stay at Palais Gentile. Carolina and Aurelian are amazing people and hosts and they took great care of us with wonderful recommendations and care The hotel buildings are historic and beautifully renovated. The rooftop terrace is divine, the breakfast outstanding They were on call 24/7 to tend to our needs or wants. The town of Matino is so cute, so off the beaten path and lacking tourists which is a huge plus (after Polignano). The restaurant next door where Carolina arranged a birthday dinner on the rootop for 10 people, including cake and baloons was amazing! The beach club they recommended Le Cinque Vele was fabulous!! We had the BEST time and can't wait to share with friends and return ourselves. The photography exhibit from the Yeast Festival right nextdoor was incredible as well. Thank you Carolina and Aurelian for sharing your sweet corner of Puglia with us. We can't wait to come back!

We were excited to stay at Palais Gentile based on the reviews and photos, but we had no idea what Matino would be like. Carolina and Aurelian were wonderful and adorable hosts. Our rooms were scattered over three buildings, all right near each other. Rooms were generous in size and charming classic Puglia style. A lot of stairs to some rooms and to the rooftop terrace, so be aware though was not an issue for us. The terrace was gorgeous and breakfast there was delightful, and we took advantage of it for pre dinner aperitivo as well. We were celebrating a couple of birthdays and could not have had a better day based on their recommendations. Beach day at Le Cinque Vele, a club about 45 minute drive in Santa Maria de Leuca. Just fantastic, on the Salento coast known as the Maldives of the Salento. Just a dream, a very luxurious club, the water was incredible. Super table service at our beach chairs, best birthday day ever!! We had lunch there, very good and fun, Carolina and Aurelian surprised us by having a cake sent to our table — talk about thoughtful!! Fresh fig and cream cake!!! Just a fabulous fabulous day. When we returned to Palais Gentile they had birthday balloons in our room. Aperitivo and Dinner was next door at Foscolo, hip and beautiful restaurant and cocktail bar. What a gem. They also referred us to a private captain for a sail boat outing again in Santa Maria de Leuca. Great way to pass a day!! Matino is small but you learn to appreciate its charms. By the time we were leaving, we had come to love Matino. Super people, Foscolo, a few other good restaurants, just a chill little town with some beautiful quality homes and delightful little streets. The Yeast Photography exhibit in town was the icing on the cake. We loved and appreciated our stay at Palais Gentile and in Matino!! Grazie mille Carolina and Aurelian!!

Rarely do I find somewhere I would instantly return to, (and then do so again) as Palais Gentile. A gorgeous townhouse wonderfully and sensitively restored house with generous rooms, super comfortable beds, complimentary drinks (including some Local gin!) and a fantastic roof terrace upon which to eat breakfast and gaze out over the city of Matino. We loved it here as much for the helpfulness and enthusiasm of the hosts, Carolina and Aurelien, as for the place itself, and let’s not forget the wonderful breakfasts, Though it turns out you can can have too much of a good thing if my daily intake of pasticciotto was anything to go by. Carolina made bookings for us and all her suggestions were spot on.