First, the pros. The location can’t be beat. The B&B is in a beautiful old palazzo with loads and loads of charm and quirky details. Then the cons. First, I do not think the website accurately represents the property. It refers to an “onsite spa” and a “pillow menu.” I saw no spa of any kind and was not offered a “pillow menu,” which I don’t really care about, but including this on the website as an amenity creates an impression and an expectation that the property does not meet. The website says the “front desk is open 9:30 am to 10:30 pm,” but no one was there when we arrived. After about 45 mins of frantic phone calls, someone showed up. We were asked to leave our credit card details with the owner’s friend, who was holding down the fort in her absence. I don’t think this was an appropriate suggestion, and I sent a bank transfer after I arrived home. The a/c remote control was confusing, but neither of the two people who were helping the owner in her absence could figure it out, and they just sort of shrugged. Luckily we figured it out on our own, but if we hadn’t, that would have been a real problem, as it was 45 celsius during our stay. Cleanliness could be better. Our room had a beautiful terrace, but the floor and furniture were quite dusty. The bathroom also needs a deep cleaning, as there was a bit of mold, and even a bit of green algae, in the shower stall. So, while this old palazzo is indisputably charming, the charm, for us, did not compensate for the problems.

First, the pros. The location can’t be beat. The B&B is in a beautiful old palazzo with loads and loads of charm and quirky details. Then the cons. First, I do not think the website accurately represents the property. It refers to an “onsite spa” and a “pillow menu.” I saw no spa of any kind and was not offered a “pillow menu,” which I don’t really care about, but including this on the website as an amenity creates an impression and an expectation that the property does not meet. The website says the “front desk is open 9:30 am to 10:30 pm,” but no one was there when we arrived. After about 45 mins of frantic phone calls, someone showed up. We were asked to leave our credit card details with the owner’s friend, who was holding down the fort in her absence. I don’t think this was an appropriate suggestion, and I sent a bank transfer after I arrived home. The a/c remote control was confusing, but neither of the two people who were helping the owner in her absence could figure it out, and they just sort of shrugged. Luckily we figured it out on our own, but if we hadn’t, that would have been a real problem, as it was 45 celsius during our stay. Cleanliness could be better. Our room had a beautiful terrace, but the floor and furniture were quite dusty. The bathroom also needs a deep cleaning, as there was a bit of mold, and even a bit of green algae, in the shower stall. So, while this old palazzo is indisputably charming, the charm, for us, did not compensate for the problems.

Isabelle has a wonderful place that she opens to visitors. It is an amazing experience.

Isabelle has a wonderful place that she opens to visitors. It is an amazing experience.

Isabella was an absolute delight and her place was perfect for our trip. The location cannot be beaten and the very private room was very quiet considering you are right in the centre of town. The bed was extremely comfortable, beautiful room and very easy to explore the city from. She was a perfect host, her home is beautiful (totally unique) and we were well looked after the whole time we were there. Overall, I'd really recommend staying at the Palazzo!

Isabella was an absolute delight and her place was perfect for our trip. The location cannot be beaten and the very private room was very quiet considering you are right in the centre of town. The bed was extremely comfortable, beautiful room and very easy to explore the city from. She was a perfect host, her home is beautiful (totally unique) and we were well looked after the whole time we were there. Overall, I'd really recommend staying at the Palazzo!

Our hostess was delightful. The room was very spacious. We especially enjoyed the backyard terrace.

Our hostess was delightful. The room was very spacious. We especially enjoyed the backyard terrace.

This is a great palazzo in the heart of Lecce. Parking was a bit of a trouble due to the courtyard being full of other guests cars, but we made it work. The home is a like staying in a museum and very charming with updated bathroom renovations. Would highly recommend.

This is a great palazzo in the heart of Lecce. Parking was a bit of a trouble due to the courtyard being full of other guests cars, but we made it work. The home is a like staying in a museum and very charming with updated bathroom renovations. Would highly recommend.

The house is lovely and the owners couldn't be more accommodating. Great location for exploring the historic center. The parking for me was challenging. The space was inside a very narrow entry, which you had to back into. My rental car did not have a back-up camera so this simply wasn't possible for me. So long as you are ok with backing into a very narrow space, it shouldn't be a problem. I just wish I had understood this ahead of time. Otherwise, Lecce is charming.

The house is lovely and the owners couldn't be more accommodating. Great location for exploring the historic center. The parking for me was challenging. The space was inside a very narrow entry, which you had to back into. My rental car did not have a back-up camera so this simply wasn't possible for me. So long as you are ok with backing into a very narrow space, it shouldn't be a problem. I just wish I had understood this ahead of time. Otherwise, Lecce is charming.

excellent

excellent

This was our third visit and it is always a joy to stay at Palazzo Bernardini which is in a great location. The building is steeped in history which the owner Isabella is happy to share with you. Nothing is too much trouble for the team and the shared breakfast experience is great fun. My only improvement suggestion would be to upgrade the shower in the rooms to an easier to use more efficient system.

Like living in a 500 year old palace in old town Lecce ! .. so so far from the standard Holiday Inn. The interior was lovely quaint and antique-lovers wil adore this place. We had a great room with at small garden / balcony. Breakfast was fine with freshly pressed orange juice served in a stately room. Parking is free and inside the courtyard, but don't expect to park your Range Rover, because the streets are narrow in Old Town and made for a Fiat 500 or midsize car. PS: Old town Lecce is a wonderful place to spend a day or two walking around.

Like living in a 500 year old palace in old town Lecce ! .. so so far from the standard Holiday Inn. The interior was lovely quaint and antique-lovers wil adore this place. We had a great room with at small garden / balcony. Breakfast was fine with freshly pressed orange juice served in a stately room. Parking is free and inside the courtyard, but don't expect to park your Range Rover, because the streets are narrow in Old Town and made for a Fiat 500 or midsize car. PS: Old town Lecce is a wonderful place to spend a day or two walking around.

A very beautiful, pleasant option in Lecce. Very well located just behind the Duomo.

A very beautiful, pleasant option in Lecce. Very well located just behind the Duomo.

Extremely nice room in a family palace. Hosts were very welcoming and the palazzo is perfectly situated right in the historic district. A place to park your car inside the palazzo is a great benefit if you have a car.

Extremely nice room in a family palace. Hosts were very welcoming and the palazzo is perfectly situated right in the historic district. A place to park your car inside the palazzo is a great benefit if you have a car.

Excellent location. Some uplift and modernisation can convert this place in a gem

Excellent location. Some uplift and modernisation can convert this place in a gem

Lovely and varied breakfasts however the accommodation wasn’t cleaned particularly well and we pointed out a light had stopped working on dat two of a seven day stay and it wasn’t fixed. We thought our point of contact wasn’t particularly suited to the job as wasn’t really welcoming

Great B&B in an old palazzo with lovely garden to sit out in right in the centre of the old town within easy walking to all the sites of Leece. Tricky to find in the car due to narrow streets and one way system and parking very tight but all part of the experience of stopping in a medieval city. Breakfast is served in your room which we loved with a good selection. We all loved it and would go back.

Great B&B in an old palazzo with lovely garden to sit out in right in the centre of the old town within easy walking to all the sites of Leece. Tricky to find in the car due to narrow streets and one way system and parking very tight but all part of the experience of stopping in a medieval city. Breakfast is served in your room which we loved with a good selection. We all loved it and would go back.

Excellent service . Breakfast very good. Pleasant room with garden outside. Towels could be better. Over all excellent .

This is a very special place, right in the centre of Centro storico. The ambiance is just fantastic. Rooms are very large, beautifully furnished, mine had a little terrace looking out the back and it is so quiet that it's hard to believe one is virtually in the centre of a city. There is also a nice small garden. Many restaurants and bars very close as are all the major sights. Highly recommended from every point of view. For travellers arriving by car, as I did, I recommend strongly to contact the hotel for precise instructions how to get there. It's easy once you know, but you will be driving partially through the pedestrian zone and google maps looks nothing like the real thing.

Sleeping in a palace and in the histiric center of Lecce.

Stylish and comfortable accommodation in the centre of the historic city. Friendly and helpful hosts.

Staying at the Palazzo Bernardini was a fantastic experience and one of the highlights of our three week tour of Puglia. The central location is great for exploring Lecce and free parking on site makes the Palazzo a very convenient base for exploring the surrounding area. The rooms are very large, clean and steeped in history. We absolutely loved our two night stay which was made all the more special by the warm welcome and service received from Isabella and her team.

Staying at the Palazzo Bernardini was a fantastic experience and one of the highlights of our three week tour of Puglia. The central location is great for exploring Lecce and free parking on site makes the Palazzo a very convenient base for exploring the surrounding area. The rooms are very large, clean and steeped in history. We absolutely loved our two night stay which was made all the more special by the warm welcome and service received from Isabella and her team.