Palazzo Guido

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Palazzo Guido. This is a truly authentic experience and the house has been in the Guido family for centuries. Geltrude makes you feel wonderfully at home, shares the history of the Palazzo and her local knowledge and assistance was incredibly helpful and insightful. The service attention and genuine warmth from Geltrude and her team is amazing. We can’t wait to come back!

Geltrude, the owner of Palazzo Guido, was friendly and welcoming. We enjoyed our three night stay in the heart of the historic center of Lecce. Our room, in this beautiful old residence, had a large bedroom decorated with period pieces; but offered a bathroom with modern amenities. The room was very clean and attended to everyday. The morning breakfast and cappuccinos provided a perfect variety to start the day. We parked and left our car a few blocks outside the historic district for our entire stay. Once at Palazzo Guido, we easily walked to every restaurant and activity. It was a relaxing and peaceful stay. The spacious rooftop is an added bonus!

Behind the front door is a sanctuary of style beauty and hospitality created by the charming owner Geltrude and her welcoming team. The Palazzo is sympathetically renovated with real care and attention to detail.
This is a special place where nothing is too much trouble. Christina attends to ensure you have all your needs at breakfast whilst Geltrude will assist if you need restaurant bookings or suggestions for days out. The honesty bar is well stocked as is the sweet treat table and the roof terrace is a twinkling retreat at the end of the day. We really didn't want to leave this place and will return…

This is probably the most beautiful boutique hotel we've ever stayed in. The owner Geltrude is a perfectionist and has great attention to detail. She puts her heart and soul into preserving the 16th century charm of this gorgeous palazzo. We loved our spacious room, with a very comfortable bed. The breakfast was fantastic, with fresh fruit and delicious home made cakes and scrambled eggs made by Christina, with cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, cereal etc. The hotel has an amazing rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a drink or two. The palazzo is located in the old town of Lecce, and all the sights are in walking distance.

The eight day stay at Palazzo Guido made my trip to Italy most memorable. Lecce is charming, attending cooking school was amazing. However the overall stay was made even better by having this peaceful oasis to call home for the week. The proprietress, Geltrude is a warm and caring host. The rooms are impeccable, and reflect the history of Geltrude's historic family home, it makes the spaces more personal and accessible. Anything that was requested, was attended to quickly. Questions and recommendations were immediately responded to and when necessary, solutions to a serious problem (hello train strike) were attended to within minutes. If there was an option for a ten star review I would give one.

Palazzo Guido is my favorite place to stay in Lecce. It's well-appointed in a traditional style, and it's well-located within the city walls. My room was spacious and clean, and the breakfast is varied and tasty. Best of all is the proprietor Ms Geltrude Guido who is so welcoming and helpful. She is an extraordinary concierge with spot-on recommendations. She can help you problem solve anything that comes up. She truly wants you to enjoy your stay and your time in Lecce. Highly recommend. Will return.

Having never traveled to Puglia before, I was intrigued by the idea of staying in a non-traditional hotel. Lecce boasts many B&Bs and one or two 5-star properties. But we chose Palazzo Guido and couldn’t have enjoyed ourselves more. Palazzo Guido is overseen by Geltrude, who is gracious, kind, and welcoming. The rooms and common areas are immaculate. The breakfast buffet is plentiful (with beautiful and delicious cakes baked on site by Christina). Most important is that Geltrude can work magic: When the trains went on strike, she arranged alternative transportation for us within 30 minutes.
Lecce is a fun place to visit, and we were delighted with our choice of Palazzo Guido.

The location of Palazzo Guido is absolutely perfect – right in the center, very close to parking, quiet, and ideal for reaching everywhere in Lecce. The property itself is beautifully decorated and renovated with an elegant taste in every detail. We stayed in the apartment via Airbnb, and in my opinion, it is the most spacious and thoughtfully designed accommodation in Lecce and Italy overall, offering a truly peaceful stay.
What makes this place truly special, however, is the owner, Mrs. Geltrude. She kindly helped us with everything we needed and, with her genuine hospitality, friendliness, and great recommendations, made our trip unforgettable. The staff was also extremely friendly and welcoming.
I also had the chance to see the hotel rooms – each one is uniquely beautiful, ultra-luxurious, and carefully designed.
For me, Palazzo Guido is the top of the top in Lecce. Definitely the first choice if you are planning to stay here.

The palazzo is stunning! We had a welcome drink on the incredible rooftop. The rooms are grand and beautiful. The staff is small, kind and helpful, so you really feel at home. Geltrude, whose family has owned the palazzo for generations, is just the best — elegant, warm, easy going, and has great suggestions for where to eat and swim. We loved Lecce as our base for exploring the area and extended our stay. I highly recommend.

Palazzo Guido was one of our most favourite places to stay in Italy. If you appreciate history, old world beauty but with modern comforts, architecture, amazing service tailored to you and delivered with an authentic and personal touch, then this is where you should stay in Lecce.
Our room was huge, light, airy and filled with the magic of the past but never felt old or stale. I loved the big beautiful romantic windows and all the interesting objet d'art around our room and the hotel. The bathroom was sparkling clean and modern.
Geltrude was our host and from beginning to end she exceeded expectations without being the least bit intrusive nor fussy. I only had to ask for a restaurant, hairdresser, maybe a special tour to the coast? etc. And she was more than obliging — everything she recommended and organised was spot on and she worked with us to curate the perfect experience when we needed some guidance. She genuinely took pride in trying to understand what we liked in order to make the most appropriate suggestions. It felt effortless on her part but I know she works very hard! Just part of the incredible hospitality you have read about in other reviews — it's true.
I wish there were more Geltrude's in the world — she was professional, friendly, so knowledgeable and basically just a very cool person.
Hotel Palazzo is memorable because you have all the elegance and comforts of a modern hotel but feel like you are a guest in someone's amazing home.

We had the pleasure of staying at Palazzo Guido for six unforgettable days. As a family of four, we were hosted in the spacious and beautifully appointed family flat, which offered every comfort we could have hoped for.
What truly sets this place apart is the warmth and care you receive from the moment you arrive. It doesn’t feel like a typical hotel; it feels like coming home. Ms. Geltrude, the host, went above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect. She was incredibly attentive, helping us with everything from local recommendations and restaurant bookings to parking and day-to-day needs. Thanks to her, we dined at some of the best local restaurants and experienced the very best of the area.
Her team, especially Cristina, was equally wonderful: always kind, helpful, and ready with a smile.
I would not hesitate for a second to recommend this exceptional place to family and friends. It’s a true gem in Italy, and we’re already looking forward to returning.

Excellent 4 night stay at Palazzo Guido. Perfect location for exploring old town Lecce. Easy parking close by. Geltrude was very helpful with suggestions for day trips and local sites. Nice selection for breakfast and the best eggs prepared by Christine.
Lecce is a nice home base for seeing the towns of Puglia.

As someone who travels frequently for work, I’ve had the privilege of staying in some of the world’s most luxurious and high-end accommodations. Yet, very few places—if any—have left the indelible mark that Palazzo Guido has etched upon me.
From the moment I stepped through its ancient doors, time seemed to pause. The atmosphere was unlike anything I had experienced before—a harmony of grandeur and warmth, as if the very walls carried centuries of stories meant to welcome and embrace. And then, Geltrude. Not just a host, but the heart of this extraordinary place. A direct descendant of the Guido family, which has lovingly preserved this treasure for generations, Geltrude embodies the spirit of hospitality in its purest form.
Her welcome is not just a formality; it’s an invitation to step into her world, a world where history and elegance intertwine seamlessly with modern comfort. Her passion is evident in every gesture, from the genuine warmth of her smile to the care with which she shares her knowledge of Lecce, its hidden gems, and the heritage of Palazzo Guido itself.
The rooms—spacious, luminous, and impeccably curated—are not just a place to rest but an experience unto themselves. From the finest linens to the artful interplay of light on antique furnishings, every detail speaks of refinement and timeless beauty. It’s a level of thoughtfulness that even the most seasoned traveler would find rare.
And yet, Palazzo Guido offers more than luxury.

Last month we spent 6 magical nights in the extraordinary Palazzo Guido. We have stayed in many, many fabulous hotels but nothing comes close to Palazzo Guido. The building itself is incredibly special from an architectural point of view and rooms have been decorated elegantly and with every possible need anticipated. Owner Geltrude and her colleague Antonio treated us like their personal house guests and could not have done more to look after us, giving advice and making arrangements as needed. Christina was very attentive serving our delicious breakfast. The bar facilities were generous; Antonio makes the best G&T my husband (a G&T devotee) has ever had. The hotel is perfectly located. You could not want one thing more from a hotel. Palazzo Guido is a very special place and experience.

We have just spent 6 magical nights in the extraordinary Palazzo Guido. We have stayed in many, many fabulous hotels but nothing comes close to Palazzo Guido. The building itself is incredibly special from an architectural point of view and rooms have been decorated elegantly and with every possible need anticipated. Owner Geltrude and her colleague Antonio treated us like their personal house guests and could not have done more to look after us, giving advice and making arrangements as needed. Christina was very attentive serving our delicious breakfast. The bar facilities were generous; Antonio makes the best G&T my husband (a G&T devotee) has ever had. The hotel is perfectly located. You could not want one thing more from a hotel. Palazzo Guido is a very special place and experience.

Palazzo Guido is an exceptional place to stay. The staff provides outstanding service, ensuring every detail is carefully attended to. It's location is ideal, and the properties stunning historic architecture creates a unique experience. If you are looking for a blend of elegance and history, Palazzo Guido is perfect, offering a timeless atmosphere that transports you between the 1600s and modern day comforts.

This was our first trip to Lecce. Our stay at Palazzo Guido greatly added to what was an amazing three days. The location of the palazzo is ideal for walking tourists who want to explore the old town. The rooftop is a great place for an evening drink. Our room (called Studio Suite… they are all slightly different) was terrific.
But the key attractions are the building itself and Geltrude the Palazzo's owner. It is not often that one gets to stay in a grand home from the 1600s that has been lovingly restored but in no way homogenised. And Geltrude was the perfect hostess, guide, educator and organiser. Finally, an added bonus was a terrific library / reading room. If the beautiful set of Poetry books goes missing, it wasn't me.