Hotel Relais La Sommità (Ostuni)

The idea of Italy as a holiday destination brings with it certain expectations, certain familiar scenes — from the palazzos and canals of Venice to the streets of Rome, buzzing with motorbikes; from the red roofs and vineyard rows of Tuscany to the cliff mansions of the Amalfi coast.

Ostuni, then, seems like another world. A knotty assemblage of white stone buildings, clustered together atop a hill that rises alone from the plains of Puglia’s Adriatic coast. The view from Relais La Sommita’s patio, over the whitewashed rooftops and clotheslines of the town, across miles of low olive trees to the edge of the sea, gives a sensation of infinity.

What seems like an unconventional choice for a location in fact plays directly to the hotel’s strength. There is no sense that you are here to “do” Ostuni; though there is a charming Gothic cathedral, an endless supply of historic buildings and any number of picturesque alleyways to wander down, this is not the sort of place where you drop your luggage and rush into the town, snapping photos. This is a retreat, a shelter, a moment of quiet in an over stimulated life, an environment that’s meant to envelop rather than impress.

The interiors walk the line between an ascetic minimalism and a stylish luxury, in a palette of creams and off-whites, with the sort of quiet and solid furnishings that are the signifiers of high-end modern interior design.

The bathrooms are always characterized by the same minimalist style of wood, marble, stone, archway and Culti brand’s products and Bulgari for the Suites.

On the ground floor, an old olive press has made way for an intimate Restaurant, with a handful of tables under an arched stone ceiling, and spilling out onto the shaded and quiet patio terrace.

The restaurant "Cielo" is a journey in the style of traditional recipes expertly described in the present, with particular care in choosing products.
The three ancient cisterns once used for storing oil, now kept a cellar with an interesting selection of wines and oils.

A short drive away will take you to discover the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Cost; if you prefer, you can enjoy the  Relais La Sommita SPA, a Wellness Center with a wide range of treatments and massages that use methodology and Culti’s products.

The Hotel inspires meditation more than anything else, the perfect destination for a getaway, a secluded and quiet.

Hardly you will feel like in a traditional hotel.

The Relais ... like a home, much more than a home ...