Palazzo Maresgallo Suites & SPA
Art gallery meets aristocratic residence. Every room is named after a concept or artwork and decorated to match — think gilded 19th-century headboards, Picasso marble bathrooms, a Tatlin sofa in red velvet, and a Hokusai-blue mosaic in the spa. It's serious about art without being precious about it.
Request Onirica if a terrace suite is available — the private terrace overlooking the limestone rooftops is worth the premium
Why It Matters
One of the only hotels in Lecce where the entire building is itself a curated art experience. The Michelin Guide picks it out as among the best palazzo conversions in Puglia. Owners are hands-on, Miriam is often on property. No restaurant — and you won't miss one.
A 16th-century aristocratic palazzo right in the middle of Lecce's Baroque old town, brought back to life by Parisian architect Lionel Gazzola and his art-collector wife Miriam. They restored it with local artisans and filled it with serious art — Roberto Ruspoli frescoes on the star-vaulted ceilings, antique marble sculptures, hand-painted murals, one-off contemporary pieces. Twelve individually named and decorated suites, a subterranean spa carved into 16th-century stone vaults, a secret garden with a plunge pool, and a rooftop terrace that looks directly at the Duomo's bell tower and the Roman amphitheatre.
Where You'll Stay
13 room types available
Euphoria
Vitality and movement — two dancing silhouettes, a Carlo Mollino mirror, Hokusai-blue wave marbles in the bathroom, and ink paintings by Loretta Rossi. The energy in this room is genuinely infectious. Second floor.
King-size · 32 sqm
Gemma
A jewel box of layered periods — a working fireplace, a 19th-century gilded wood headboard, an 18th-century Neapolitan writing desk, 1950s butterfly mirrors, a contemporary painting by a Salentine artist, antique paintings in the living room, and precious marble set in a 16th-century portal.
King-size (separable, 2 x 2.20m) · 55 sqm
Genesis
Mythology meets sensuality. The fireplace fresco depicts Adam and Eve; the bed painting is purity and spiritual love; an egg-shaped fertility lamp and a bust of Apollo anchor the room. Bathtub and separate shower.
King-size (separable, 2 x 2.20m) · 45 sqm
Jardin
The garden suite. Views of the courtyard garden, a round painting evoking Salento's red sunsets, a small private dressing room, and a corner for reading. Intimate and private. Ground floor.
King-size (separable) · 38 sqm
Marquis
The original nobleman's room, with its magnificent 16th-century ribbed vaults still intact overhead. An ancient fireplace, and an overlook with views of the garden. History heavy. First floor.
King-size · 35 sqm
Notre Dome
Named for its views — from the living room you look directly at the spires of Lecce's cathedral, the local answer to Notre Dame de Paris. A working 16th-century fireplace, a table with precious wood inlays, a cosy reading sofa. The most Parisian suite in the building.
King-size · 58 sqm
Odalisca
The largest suite in the house at 85sqm. Voluptuous and refined in equal measure — the bathroom is Picasso marble, the furnishings reference Ingres's painting of the odalisque. Private terrace included. King bed separates into twins if needed.
King-size (separable) · 85 sqm
Onirica
The biggest personality in the building. Dreamlike volumes and heights, eclectic furnishings, a raised relaxation area, a 5sqm walk-in wardrobe hidden behind an antique-wallpaper partition, and its own private terrace with panoramic views over Lecce's limestone rooftops. The space travels from the 16th century to the present in a single room.
King-size · 55 sqmOrigine
Back to basics and to the roots of Italian art — a fresco referencing Michelangelo's hand and horse, root motifs in the marble, and a papier-mâché female nude sculpture. Quieter and more meditative than its neighbour Euphoria. Second floor.
King-size (separable) · 32 sqmPrimitiva
Ethnic and earthy — an Aztec mask on the mirror, a wardrobe with bronze patina, kilim carpets in natural tones, and branched marble in the bathroom. A nod to Primitivo, Puglia's famous red wine. Second floor.
King-size (separable) · 30 sqmRiflesso
The smallest room in the house — but the mirrored wall separating sleeping area from the marble bathroom and walk-in wardrobe makes clever work of the space. Sloping wooden roof creates interesting light play. Fleeting portrait sketches by Roberto Ruspoli reflected in the mirrors. Views of old Lecce rooftops. Second floor.
Queen-size · 20 sqmScaletta
A cosy nest. Red tones throughout reference Salento's terracotta land, and the bathroom has precious marbles creating a warm, intimate atmosphere. Ground floor, close to the garden. Good entry-level option for solo travelers or couples who want to spend on experiences rather than the room.
Queen-size · 28 sqmVenus
Venus imprisoned in a bookshelf on one wall, a trompe-l'oeil leading into a museum dimension on the other. An eccentric plaster cast by Lecce primitive artist Leandro completes the picture. Intimate and literary.
King-size · 40 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Hands-on classes in the palazzo's kitchen, led by local Salentine hosts ('massaie' — traditional home cooks). Guided through regional dishes and culinary traditions. Available one-on-one or in small groups. Book directly with the hotel.
Vernissages, temporary exhibitions, editorial presentations, concerts, photo shoots, brand launch events, team building, and conferences all hosted on-site in the palazzo's event spaces.
Private workshops for groups — format tailored on request. The palazzo functions as a confidential venue for corporate and creative sessions.
The entire building — all 12 suites and all shared spaces — can be reserved exclusively for private events, celebrations, or a holiday with friends. Tailor-made services included.
Chess sets available in the citrus-tree-shaded secret garden. A properly civilised way to spend a Puglian afternoon.
The palazzo's formal salons become the setting for private dinner parties. Chef arranged on request. Service included. Ideal for small groups or romantic dinners.
Daily from 5pm on the rooftop terrace — cocktails, Primitivo wine, and Lecce's Baroque skyline. Live music events occasionally drift up from the Roman amphitheatre below.
The piano nobile halls double as a gallery space for rotating exhibitions. The opening show featured international photographer Uli Weber's solo exhibition 'Quid Pluris: the look beyond', curated by Paola Colombari, with Helen Mirren as testimonial. Exhibitions are hosted regularly.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Elevator serves upper floors. Ground-floor room options also available for guests with mobility issues.
Part of the 1,500sqm of eclectic living spaces available to guests. Multiple salons including Salone dell'Arco, Salone della Lettura (reading salon), and the Salone Ruspoli with its star-vaulted frescoed ceilings.
Daily-changing Salentine breakfast: handmade pastries, fresh local fruit, cheeses, cured meats, eggs. Served 7:30am-10:30am in the Buongiorno Lounge or garden.
Stone-walled, well-equipped fitness room. Personal training sessions available on request.
One of the largest rooftop terraces in central Lecce. Direct views of the Duomo bell tower and the Roman amphitheatre. Cacti and rare plants throughout. Aperitivo bar open daily 5pm-11pm.
Small, well-behaved dogs welcome in any room for €100 per pet per night.
Walled courtyard garden with an unheated outdoor plunge pool open daily 8am-midnight. Fragrant Salentine plants, palms, citrus trees, loungers, and shaded tables. Breakfast can be served here.
Smart room controls via the Mahosy app — lights, climate, and access.
Paid transfers: Brindisi airport €100, Bari airport €200 (up to 4 passengers).
The palazzo is in Lecce's restricted old town zone. No on-site parking. Staff can direct to nearby options from around €20/day.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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