Palazzo Belsanti tells the story of two loves. That of two young couple for their city, Lecce, and of the feeling that also links their two, Alessandra and Andrea.
And they are the ones who personally tell it to us during the greedy breakfast based on local products that they propose on the terrace of the building that looks at the city with the unmistakable profile of the bell tower of the cathedral designed by Zimbalo on the horizon.
A place where to stay well
Andrea De Carlo and Alessandra Mazzotta have always loved their territory, Salento, the land where they were born and grew up. And after the experiences abroad they always faced together, to deepen their knowledge of the English language, in Bath, a famous city known as a spa in England, in 2012 they returned to Puglia. The offer was really too good: work at the Masseria San Domenico, a well-known 5-star luxury hotel, spa and golf club in Fasano. Here Alessandra worked as a receptionist while Andrea as an assistant bar manager.
Their enthusiasm, while they talk about the experiences that formed them before giving life to their “creature” here in Lecce, is so intense and tangible that you can touch it with your hands.
And it is only surpassed by their sense of hospitality not only with respect to two-legged guests but also and above all to those who have four paws who find their welcome based on croquettes and fresh water on arrival: Palazzo Belsanti is a pet friendly and cruelty-free structure.
In fact, the bathroom kits as well as being natural as olive or grape, do not contain parabens and are not tested on animals. Furthermore, plastic and microwaves have been “banned” and the laundry, in addition to being handmade, is washed by a green wash that washes at low temperatures and does not use chemicals.
Chatting, we gradually discover the beautiful story that led them to deepen their passions more and more through two parallel and complementary professional paths in the field of tourism, accommodation, hospitality and food and wine. And that before their current goal, the opening of Palazzo Belsanti, helped to train them. Andrea attended the AIS (Italian Sommelier Association) course and obtained the sommelier qualification, and the barman qualification with AIBES (Italian Barman and Supporters Association).
The rest it managed the great desire to return to their homeland to create in Lecce, now a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, something beautiful and welcoming according to a dynamic and young vision.
Starting from the wrap, the building that houses their marvelous accommodation a few steps from Porta Rudiae. They wanted to call it Palazzo Belsanti because it was built in the early 1900s by an iron craftsman, Belsanti named, who made it a welcoming home for himself and his family.
“It is fundamental to capitalize on the history of a place, in a constant dialogue between past and future – they tell us in unison – but with a long-term vision, appreciating the value of your origins and putting your heart in everything”.
Now everything here speaks of their (third) love: the one for beauty, with an almost maniacal attention to detail in a right mix of tradition and modernity.
Alessandra and Andrea use only local suppliers and use ecological products.
The majority of suppliers are in fact from Puglia and from Salento in particular: the pasticciottos and the sweet and savory delights that crowd the morning buffet are delivered daily from a local oven and the jams are only based on seasonal fruit and contain neither colorings nor preservatives.
There are bikes available for guests, who can also choose pillows, and in every room there is a coffee maker to prepare a coffee at any time of the day.
And these are just some of the pampering that Alessandra and Andrea reserve for their guests in the 9 rooms of Palazzo Belsanti opened in Lecce in October 2017 and quickly became a reference point for those looking for a welcoming and warm place that makes them feel like at home, in the embrace of a large family from the south. And we agree perfectly with them when they point out that the “best” hotel is not a sumptuous hotel, but a place where people are well. And at Palazzo Belsanti you feel amazing.
Palazzo Belsanti
Viale dell’Università, 63 – Lecce
Info: +39 0832 241273 – +39 349 7968999
www.palazzobelsanti.it – info@palazzobelsanti.it
