Hidden Gem Palazzo Daniele is the Best of Southern Puglia

Trec Recs

Tucked off the main square of Gagliano del Capo, a charming village at the very tip of Italy’s heel, lies a stunning 19th-century Pugliese mansion called Palazzo Daniele. The nine-suite luxury guesthouse, formerly the family home of art philanthropist Francesco Petrucci, is the second property in hotelier Gabriele Salini’s newly founded portfolio, GS Collection.

Salini’s wonderfully unique eye for art and design is on full display here, with his minimalist reinterpretation of classic Italian splendor. The palazzo’s vaulted ceilings, original frescoes and mosaic floors are offset by monastic-fantastic interiors and an extraordinary contemporary art collection.

Following a beautiful stay at Palazzo Daniele last summer, we chatted with Salini about the property we can’t get off our minds.

*Photos: Enrico Costantini // Serena Eller*

Where were you born?

I was born in Rome and am a proud 8th generation Roman.

What is your earliest memory of connecting with art, architecture and design?

Growing up in the Eternal City, I have been surrounded by architecture, art, and design my entire life. I‘ve always been fascinated by how these three seemingly different concepts have the capability to bring people together. When entering the hospitality world, I made sure to base each GS Collection property off of these pillars.

When was Palazzo Daniele built?

Palazzo Daniele was originally constructed in 1861.

The property has been in your partner Francesco Petrucci’s family for multiple generations. What is the history of the Palazzo?

Prior to renovation, the Palazzo was formerly the winter home of the Daniele family, a group of aristocratic Neapolitans.

*Photos: Renee Kemps // Cosmo Laera // Renee Kemps*

The neon sign at the entrance reads “questa casa non è un albergo” ("this house is not a hotel”). How did you work to infuse this mantra into the space?

At Palazzo Daniele, we deviate from the term “hotel” as we feel it does not encapsulate all that our property has to offer. We are a hospitality concept rooted in guest experience, dedicated to exposing all travelers to the very best of Italian art, design, and gastronomy. Key to our vision are the uniting principles of hyper-localism and sense of community, creating environments that fully immerse guests and offer them unparalleled access to local Italian life – something that seems to be missing in most hotels today.

The Palazzo has been beautifully enhanced with modern conveniences and creative touches without losing the historical soul of the property. What was the approach to renovating?

What we aimed to do throughout the renovation process was to create a sense of “contemporary nostalgia” – that is, blending centuries-old architecture and old-world luxury with a curated selection of contemporary artwork, avant-garde furniture, and one-of-one site-specific installations. Through restoring ornate frescos and original mosaic flooring from the 19th century, we have been able to pay homage to the Palazzo's storied Italian past while still acknowledging the present and what's to come.

Your other hotel, G-Rough in Rome, is a favorite in our community and was recently recommended by Soledad Twombly. What makes Puglia unique and why did you choose the region for your next project?

Soledad is a good friend and an incredible creative mind: I am proud to have her and other special people in our circle of “sponsors”!

Regarding Puglia, it is a second home for me. I spent most of my summers in a family house we own a few kilometers away from Palazzo Daniele and have always had personal ties to the land. Puglia is a place where simple things, common stories, and minimal landscapes are as stunning as they are surprising. We are lucky enough to be bathed by two seas (Ionic and Adriatic), to be warmed by the sun almost six months per year, to grow the most flavored vegetables in our gardens and to be the guardians of an amazing cultural heritage. When choosing GS Collection’s next project, the sum of these things made that process rather simple.

*Photos: Serena Eller // Adrian Gaut // Enrico Costantini*

What is your experience of the first wave of hotel guests? Who is drawn to the Palazzo and how important is community to the space?

I never want to constrict my guests and group them into any kind of category; we have graciously been able to host people from all walks of life. Whether they are romantic, young in spirit, or passionate for taste, our hotel guests seem to share an appreciation for their precious time; where to spend it and who to share it with. Upon entering, our dedication to community takes shape in the multiple communal spaces along with the property’s open-air layout; beckoning both conversation and human connection.

During our stay, we were delighted to find paintings by mutual friend Gianni Politi in our suite. How have you curated the art collection at the hotel?

Together with Francesco we have meticulously curated the selection of art found throughout the property; it is a definitive pillar that Palazzo Daniele has been created upon. There is not one room that solely functions as a gallery; rather we have curated the entire grounds to serve as an exceptional backdrop to our contemporary art collection.

What are a few of your favoriTe places to visit in the area?

Salento is the largest province of Italy and invites an endless journey of discovery; there are about 100 little villages, each with a longstanding town center. One of my favorite towns is Tricase, with its Piazza Pisanelli and its secluded port.

Personal motto / words to live by?

Enjoy life in every way… my contemporary take on the “dolce vita” lifestyle.