A Memorable Stay at Patria Palace
During a summer trip to Italy, we visited Lecce in Puglia, often called the “Florence of the South,” for the first time. We stayed at Patria Palace Lecce, a luxury hotel in the heart of the historic old town, as a base to explore southern Italy.
When researching hotels in the Puglia region, we found there were very few points hotel options. There was a Hilton Garden Inn in Lecce, but it is located outside the old town, and there were also a few remote SLH properties that did not seem particularly appealing. In the end, we decided to book a cash stay and use TD points to cover the cost. We paid around 450 Canadian dollars per night at the time of booking for a week in August. Current rates run higher, so check the Patria Palace website for up to date pricing
We were looking for a mix of city exploration and a bit of beach time, and Patria Palace turned out to be a strong fit. Lecce itself is a great base for exploring Puglia, and the hotel also offers access to a private beach club, which added flexibility to the stay.
Location and Accessibility
Patria Palace is located in the heart of Lecce’s old town, which makes it particularly special. Its prime location allows for easy walking access to all of Lecce’s historical sites. If you’re planning a visit, I’ve also written a full guide on why Lecce is worth adding to your itinerary.
After visiting many historic old towns across Europe, I’ve come to really appreciate how important location is when choosing a hotel. Being able to walk everywhere and use the hotel as a central base makes a big difference to the overall experience.
We had rented a car, and navigating to the hotel was straightforward with the help of Google Maps. Despite some concerns I had read beforehand, access was simpler than expected compared to other Italian cities.
Like most hotels in historic centres, Patria Palace is located within a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL). The hotel simply takes your license plate at reception and registers it, allowing you to drive in and out without issues. This made the process much easier than in cities like Lucca, where ZTL access can be more restrictive and time sensitive.
Check-In Experience and Room
Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed at the hotel. The bell staff promptly unloaded our car and escorted us directly to the check-in desk, which was straight ahead upon entering the hotel. There is a lobby located to the left and the breakfast restaurant to the right.
After a few formalities, we were checked in and given a personalized tour of the two rooms we had booked. We received old-fashioned keys, which felt refreshingly nostalgic. Upon leaving the hotel for any length of time, you simply return the key to the front desk.
We stayed in a deluxe design room, while our children had a comfort room. A welcome bottle of Prosecco and some snacks awaited us, along with complimentary bottled water (both still and sparkling).
The room’s design was impressive, featuring a spacious living area, a bathroom on one side, and a separate shower room with double sinks and one of the better hotel showers we have encountered
In the evenings, a turn-down service refreshed towels and provided slippers at our bedside.
Dining and Amenities
Breakfast is included with certain room categories and worth factoring into your booking decision. The buffet is not enormous but the quality is high, with local pastries, fruit, and made-to-order eggs. On most mornings during our stay, a violinist or harpist performed in the dining room. It is the kind of detail that either appeals to you or does not, but in context it worked well.
Rooftop Bar
The rooftop bar offers one of the better views of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Lecce and is worth a visit regardless of whether you are staying at the hotel. We went up for aperitivo one evening before dinner and the setting is hard to argue with.
Beach Club Experience
While Patria Palace provided an exceptional hotel experience, our visit to the associated Mora Mora Beach Club was somewhat disappointing. Although the hotel offers a free shuttle service and access to the club, we chose to drive on our first day, a decision we soon regretted. The beach club was crowded, with many guests and was adjacent to a larger public beach. Parking was nearly impossible to find, and we ended up parking about a kilometer away, which could have been avoided had we received better advice from the hotel staff.
On our next beach day, we wisely opted for the hotel’s shuttle service, which operates throughout the day and accommodates up to seven guests. The one-way travel time is approximately 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
The beach itself is a reasonable option for a day out, but it is not the most scenic stretch of coastline in Puglia. The club sits adjacent to a busy public beach and the combination gets crowded in summer. If your trip is primarily about beach time, you may be better served basing yourself closer to the coast in a different part of the region. If you are in Lecce for the city and want a beach day worked in, it does the job.
Final Thoughts
Patria Palace is the right hotel if you are spending time in Lecce. The location is difficult to improve on, the rooms are excellent, and the service is attentive without being overbearing. The beach club is a reasonable add-on rather than a core selling point, and we would set expectations accordingly before arriving. For a Puglia trip built around the city, it is a solid base and one that I would gladly return to.
