Palazzo Tafuri is an elegant boutique hotel located in the heart of Nardò, Puglia, housed in a historic 17th-century palace with a neoclassical façade added in 1841. Originally the residence of the Zimara and Tafuri families, the building once contained a small chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Today, it is owned by the Counts d’Espous, who oversaw a two-year restoration led by architect Claudio Colaci and designer Vincent De Cat, blending Salento Baroque with contemporary style.

The hotel features 16 unique rooms and suites, each named after medicinal plants in honor of the renowned herbalist Vincenzo Zimara. The interiors combine Art Deco, 1950s/60s vintage, and modern minimalism. Rooms range from 32 to over 80 square meters, many with terraces or balconies overlooking the Santa Chiara monastery, internal courtyards, or open-plan interiors.

The restaurant, led by Chef Antonio Capoccello—named Emerging Chef of 2022—offers creative cuisine based on local, seasonal ingredients including home-grown vegetables and Ionian fish. Guests can also enjoy two bars: “Bacco & Crudi,” located in the former stables, and a stylish rooftop bar with city views and sunsets.

The wellness center is a peaceful retreat featuring an indoor/outdoor heated pool with hydromassage, sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, solarium, and relaxation areas. The spa’s design incorporates vertical gardens and natural light, offering treatments, massages, and yoga sessions.

Sustainability is a key focus, with natural fiber insulation, restored antique floors, high-efficiency windows, solar panels, heat pumps, smart home technology, waste management, and locally crafted furnishings. The hotel also organizes local experiences like tours, boat trips, diving, and cooking or yoga classes.

Located opposite the Santa Chiara monastery and just a few kilometers from Lecce, the Ionian coast, and Porto Selvaggio Park, Palazzo Tafuri is an ideal base for exploring Salento.

Palazzo Tafuri offers a refined refuge where history, nature, gastronomy, and wellness come together in an authentic and sustainable setting.