Masseria Il Tabacchificio opens in Puglia

Lounge space featuring a stone fireplace, blue and beige seating and high, white domed ceiling

(Image credit: The thinking traveller)

Turning the barrel-vaulted interiors of a 1930s tobacco processing plant in Puglia into a luxurious six-bedroom boutique villa now seems something of a no-brainer, but full kudos to its owners – an Italian diplomat and his Vietnamese lifestyle-blogger wife – for recognising the building’s potential.

Applause, too, for Lecce-based architect Raffaele Centonze for his sensitive rehabilitation of the building and the grounds, the latter stylishly landscaped with silver olive trees and ancient dry stone walls. The high-ceilinged bright rooms are lined with polished concrete and recycled timber and, with more than a passing nod to the Japanese ideal of wabi sabi, eclectically decorated with choice vintage pieces collected by the owners on their travels.

In high summer, a garden lap-pool and the clear waters of nearby Castro Marina are a delight, though the lodge loses none of its charms in winter as guests retreat indoors for home-cooked meals in the bijou cinema.

Large, white hallway with domed ceiling leading to a glass-panelled door into the garden

Alternative view of the lounge area, looking towards further seating and artwork

White dining room with a long, wooden dining table and cream chairs. Large window at the far end, looking out into the garden

Bedroom in neutral tones with a simple blue wardrobe, abstract lightshade, and looking through to the en-suite bathroom

Bathroom featuring free-standing bath, wooden chair with towels, red floor lamp and window looking into the garden

Outdoor swimming pool surrounded by deck-chairs and with a covered lounging area to the right

Entrance to the hotel featuring an old, faded sign above the red, stone frontage

INFORMATION

Website

ADDRESS

Diso, Puglia

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Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.