Vista Ostuni Reimagines a Historic Puglian Palazzo for the Luxury Set
A new 28-room boutique hotel brings sophisticated design, Michelin-starred dining, and authentic Apulian character to the heart of Ostuni.
Photo: Courtesy of Vista Ostuni
Set atop the sun-drenched hills of Puglia’s “White City,” Vista Ostuni has officially opened, marking a thoughtful debut for the Vista group and a notable addition to The Leading Hotels of the World. But this isn’t just another boutique opening in a tourist-friendly pocket of Italy—the property creates a refined gateway to Puglia’s cultural depth and natural beauty, with plenty of high design and authentic Apulian charm.
The 28-room hotel occupies a former 14th-century convent that was converted into a tobacco factory, then restored by architect Roberto Murgia. The transformation preserves more than 64,000 square feet of original interiors, including vaulted ceilings, centuries-old stonework, and a luminous glass-roofed cloister. Milanese craftsmanship and locally sourced materials come together throughout, from the hand-laid stone floors to the carved wood detailing.
Beyond the interiors, the landscape tells its own story. Belgian landscape architect Erik Dhont designed the hotel’s seven-acre Mediterranean gardens, accented with dry-stone walls, citrus trees, and native herbs set into olive groves. Guests enter through a formal courtyard, pass a traditional fountain, and ascend to a rooftop infinity pool with 360-degree views over the Itria Valley.
Food and wine are cornerstones of the guest experience. Chef Andrea Berton, who leads the kitchen at his eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant in Milan, oversees the hotel’s signature restaurant, Berton al Vista, which showcases hyper-local ingredients and Puglian culinary traditions. Bianca Bistrot offers a casual alternative by the garden pool, ideal for long lunches or aperitivi under the trees. The rooftop Infinity Bar and the cloistered Chiostro Bar complement the experience with botanically inspired cocktails and a welcoming emphasis on social space.
Vista Ostuni also offers year-round spa access with Biologique Recherche treatments, indoor and outdoor pools, private suite gardens, and curated excursions to nearby sites like Alberobello, Lecce, and Matera. It’s a rare find: A luxury hotel that’s both rooted and revelatory—positioned to turn Ostuni from a day-trip stop into a multi-night destination.
Room rates begin at $1,004 per night. Vista Ostuni is open year-round and bookable via LHW and luxury consortia.
