The View from the loft of room 13 (Aurora)
During my recent trip to Puglia, I wanted to go someplace where more Italian than Americans vacation, and wound up choosing Ostuni. Part of Ostuni’s charm is how it is refreshingly devoid of American chain brands.
La Sommità Relais is located right at the top of the hill in Ostuni’s historic center, with a great location for exploring the whitewashed streets of La Città Bianca by foot.
Looking down from the loft of Room 13 at La Sommita
The boutique hotel also has a lovely Michelin starred restaurant, Cielo, which has both indoor seating areas and an outdoor patio tucked into an Olive grove that is especially lovely on a summer night.
Views of the First Floor of the Aurora room. The couch can be converted into a bed.
The hotel is intimately sized, with 15 rooms and suites. My suite was #13, or L’Aurora. It was large– 70 square meters with the king sized bed in the loft. There was also a bathing area with a tub & hand shower and sink (but no toilet) in the loft. The quirky layout added to the hotel’s non-cookie cutter vibe.
The king sized bed was tucked up in the loft, along with a bathtub and TV
The hotel was exceptionally quiet, which was nice. The common areas all have wifi, though this being Southern Italy, it went out on occasion and I just chalked it up to part of the Salento experience.
Views from the sleeping Loft
Room rates included a fantastic breakfast spread set out in the indoor Cielo space and outdoors with tables spaced between the olive trees on the property. The salumi spread and killer focaccia were standouts.
The master bath of room 13 was on the lower floor
There was also wifi in the room, and a television I never bothered to watch. I really enjoyed the chillax pace of Ostuni and thought La Sommità was a great base for a few days.
Views of the master bathroom and shower
The indoor dining area of Cielo, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant
Foccacia for breakfast? When in Pulgia…
Puglia was a bargain compared to the Amalfi coast, and still has a “not discovered by the masses” vibe. I’m all for getting my La Dolce Vita on at a bargain price so I’m sure I’ll be returning to the area.
These cherries were pure yum
Whitewashed walls and olive trees around the pool area at La Sommità
Italians have tuk-tuks too, including this fly one that belongs to La Sommità
view of some of outdoor seating areas at La Sommità
This tasty Aperol at spritz cost €7 at La Sommità
La Sommità Relais definitely had the best location to watch the sunsets in Puglia’s white city. And they serve tasty hazelnuts along with their reasonably priced Aperol spritzes.
Long view of Ostuni ( La Città Bianca)