7 best gay hotels in Puglia for a fabulous holiday

01

Q40 Ostuni

Ostuni

However, if you can force yourself to go out, there are many excellent bars and restaurants to discover in this vibrant and famously white-washed city. Since the apartment is right in the Old Town you’re also close to the Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta and the Museum of Preclassic Civilizations of the Southern Murgia.

The apartment is ideal if you’re traveling with a group of friends, as it can comfortably sleep six and has everything you need for a longer stay. Of course, we were traveling as a couple and it was also perfectly secluded as our own little love nest. Since it’s gay-owned, you can book with confidence knowing there won’t ever be any issues for same-sex couples.

02

Monteforte Resort

Ugento

Situated just a short journey from Puglia’s famous ‘Maldives of Salento’ coastal area, this beautiful resort is the ideal spot to recharge after a day mingling with local beauties down at the beach! In fact, Monteforte Resort offers a massage service to guests, with special beds located on the rooftop terrace for this purpose. Alas, choosing our own personal adonis to perform the treatment was not an option but the staff here did a great job of soothing our sore muscles and joints.

Also located on the rooftop is the jacuzzi area, which we made sure to enjoy every night along with stunning views of Ugento and beyond. Slipping into our speedos, grabbing a drink and spending some time soaking was one of the highlights of our stay at Monteforte.

Breakfast is also served upstairs on the restaurant rooftop. The food served is hyperlocal, fresh and delicious, just be careful not to eat too many of their amazing pastries or you might not fit into that speedo any longer!

03

Villa Margareta

Ostuni

We loved how Villa Margareta was littered with touches of luxury, such as the stand-alone bathtubs, ornate mirrors and of course the spectacular pool area. The decor, in general, is incredibly chic. The neutral tones match perfectly with the natural stone of the villa’s walls and floors, which somehow seem both refined and organic. There are countless outdoor seating areas in which it is possible to read, enjoy a chat, or get up to something a little more risqué. With total privacy, we were free to do as we liked at Villa Margareta, and we invariably did!

Days at Villa Margareta are best spent lounging around and enjoying the amazing views, whether that’s the surrounding countryside or your tanned and toned entourage! For those seeking a little more excitement, this place is just 10km from some of Puglia’s most beautiful gay beaches. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet some handsome ragazzi to invite back to this stunning villa for the night!

There is a great woodfired barbecue area here for those who enjoy to cook and dine al fresco. Alternatively, Ostuni is a short journey away and offers a plethora of spots in which to sample local delicacies, and we don’t just mean the food…

04

Tenuta Monticelli

Alezio

We felt extremely welcome at Tenuta Monticelli as a gay couple, as you might expect in an area so popular with the community as this one. Although home to just five rooms, Tenuta Monticelli oozes luxury. We stayed in their superior room which meant we had access to an entire rooftop area that included a jacuzzi and offered stunning 360-degree views of the Alezio countryside. To say that this made our stay here a romantic one is an understatement, and we spent many hours enjoying each other’s company on our private terrace.

It is also worth noting that the free breakfast at Tenuta Monticelli is unusually generous, with all kinds of local pastries, cheeses, meats and fresh fruits offered along with the usual cereals, juices and hot drinks. You can get all the energy you need for a day frolicking at the beach or by the pool!

The pool area at Tenuta Monticelli is set amid acres of green gardens, so you really feel the isolation of this hotel amid nature. There is an outdoor shower along with plenty of comfortable loungers for you to stretch out and make sure every inch of your body gets bathed in sunlight. This is essential before heading out into Gallipoli for an evening of shenanigans!

05

Bed and Breakfast Sottosopra

Gallipoli

If you’re lucky enough to bring back one of the local hotties to Sottosopra, they certainly won’t be disappointed with the rooms at this awesome B&B. One of the things we loved most about Sottosopra is its central location, with all the major amenities including bars, restaurants and nightclubs practically on your doorstep. This includes the legendary Cafe Bellini, were local gay boys flock to drink cocktails and show off their tans. Then there is Village Picador, a lively gay nightclub filled with local and foreign hotties looking for summertime fun! The best part is that this is located just a short drive from Sottosopra on the outskirts of town, making it easier than ever to meet with gorgeous gay Italians and fit foreigners that flock here throughout the year.

We also love the fact that Sottosopra is close to all of Salento’s best beach clubs, including the fabulous Lido Zen. Throw in the fact that gay beaches like D’Ayala and Torre Guaceto are a short drive away and a stay at Sottosopra begins to make even more sense! 

06

Hotel Palazzo del Corso

Gallipoli

The rooms at this 5 star hotel are pure opulence, triggering some serious sensual vibes that could lead who knows where after a few Aperol Spritz or glasses of local vino.

In fact, we adored the level of quality at Hotel Palazzo del Corso, where amenities include a rooftop terrace restaurant of exceptionally high quality, a stunning rooftop swimming pool, a Sky Bar with magnificent views and even it's own winery! 

Not satisfied? No problem, this luxury boutique hotel in Gallipoli is also home to a Technogym and solarium so you can pump those biceps before tanning those abs and hitting the local gay bars and nightclubs!

As if Hotel Palazzo del Corso was not impressive enough, we have to say that this place is also ideally located for visiting local gay bars, nightclubs and even popular gay beaches slightly further up the coast. There is even a convenient shuttle bus that runs back and forth to the local beach clubs, many of which are home to flocks of golden-skinned beefcakes from across Italy and beyond!

07

Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa

Ostuni

Paragon 700 is housed in a lovingly restored 17th-century palazzo, with huge luxurious rooms and suites, all featuring frescoed ceilings. The Paragon Suite is definitely the number one room to pick, if you can afford it, with a massive sunken bathtub, 7-meter-high cathedral ceilings, and a grand open fireplace.

The pampering spa is located 7 meters below ground and is only just big enough for two people – so it’s super romantic. We loved using the hydromassage basin, steam bath, and spa shower with chromotherapy, then relaxing in a lounge where the walls were clad in Himalayan salt!

While the whole of Ostuni is on your doorstep, don’t be surprised if you never want to leave Paragon 700. There’s an on-site restaurant, lounge bar, and a pool bar where you can find refreshment and nourishment while basking in the sun or sitting by a fireplace.