Distilia

  • Location: Town / Village
    Restaurants and shops: In walking distance
    Historic center of Lecce: 5km (10 mins by car)
    Coast and beaches: 20-25km (20-25 mins by car)
  • Brindisi Airport (BDS): 56km (40 mins by car)
    Bari Airport (BRI): 175km (2h by car)
    Car recommended
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An introduction to Distilia

How would you describe Distilia Dimora Salentina in a nutshell?

Distilia is a luxurious 19th-century home once belonging to a large, bourgeoisie family. Full of charm and natural elegance, it is located in the town of San Cesario di Lecce, just five kilometres from Lecce.

What is the story behind Distilia Dimora Salentina, what was your inspiration to create it?

When Lilia and her husband arrived in Salento for a vacation in the summer of 2017, they certainly didn't think that the trip would change their lives. While accompanying some friends who were looking for a house, they saw a building in San Cesario di Lecce and immediately thought it was the right place for them. 

For years Lilia had fantasised about creating a place of hospitality where she could live for a few months each year as an alternative to Milan. When she entered through the small door of the property, she immediately felt welcomed and almost embraced by its two wings, which surround an entrance courtyard built from Lecce stone that stands out against the periwinkle sky. 

When Lilia reached the interior garden, she thought it was a pleasant and relaxing place, perfect for hosting people and sharing this serenity with them. Thus, the idea of Distilia was born. 

How would you describe the atmosphere and the interior design of Distilia Dimora Salentina and the apartments?

All of the ceilings are more than five metres high, with star vaults and some with original decorations. In others, this splendid Salento architectural element has been emphasised with the use of different colours.

The neoclassical terrazzo floors have been preserved, as has the neoclassical hall. With a decorated barrel vault, it features original furnishings and large mirrors. These are accompanied by 20-century design classics, such as a table by Enzo Mari, chairs by Charles and Ray Eames and the Arch of Piergiacomo and Achille Castiglioni.

Lilia’s passion for design (she has curated an art gallery for years) is evident in the interiors. The vintage and design furnishings selected are a narration of her life story: the pieces, indeed, belong to her private collection. Some of the signature pieces you will find include works by Osvaldo Borsani, Giuseppe Pagano, Paolo Buffa, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Enzo Mari, Scarpa, Angelo Lelii, Giò Ponti and Max Ingrand.

To you personally, what is so special about Distilia Dimora Salentina?

To me, it is the atmosphere and energy created by the lights and the warm colours of the place that create a sense of peace and comfort. 

Distilia
Pool
Distilia
Roof terrace
Distilia
Pool
Distilia
Distilia
Breakfast
Breakfast
Pool
Distilia
Distilia
Distilia
Distilia
Angelica
Angelica
Angelica
Angelica
Alloro
Alloro
Alloro
Alloro
Alloro
Anice
Anice
Anice
Calendula
Calendula
Calendula
Calendula
Calendula
Calendula
Genziana
Genziana
Genziana
Genziana
Ginepro
Ginepro
Ginepro
Melissa
Melissa
Spa
Spa
Pool

Distilia rooms & rates

The four apartments (for 2/4 guests) and the three suites are all unique, with each one curated down to the smallest details and equipped with every comfort you could want. All of the apartments and two of the suites have a kitchen while all of the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and some have private terraces/balconies.

The infinity swimming pool fits harmoniously into the garden, which forms part of an ancient citrus grove. A large wooden platform offers a welcoming jacuzzi and waterfall for guests to enjoy. The garden was designed by landscape architect Roberto De Giorgi, who has been studying and recovering ornamental plants used in the gardens of historic homes for the last 20 years. 

The Spa brings the most hidden part of the house back to life. Positioned beneath star vaults crafted from Lecce stone, the large whirlpool tub dominates the first room. In the second, you will find a sauna, a Turkish bath and an emotional shower that complete the path of absolute wellbeing and inner harmony for which the entire environment has been designed.

  • Angelica for 4 people / 102 m²
    450 / night

    Unavailable

    • 2 Double bedrooms
    • 2 Shower rooms (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • 1 Kitchenette
    • Air conditioning

    Angelica is Distilia’s prestigious, 100-square-metre apartment. It encompasses the neoclassical hall of mirrors that retains its original furnishings, plus a cast marble floor and a barrel ceiling decorated with laurel wreaths. The two bedrooms are furnished with icons of 20-century design, including a bed by Osvaldo Borsani and a table by Enzo Mari. A well-equipped kitchen completes the apartment.

  • Calendula for 4 people / 75 m²
    370 / night

    Unavailable

    • 1 Twin bedroom
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 2 Shower rooms (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • 1 Kitchenette
    • Air conditioning

    Calendula is a charming 75-square-metre apartment, with its two bedrooms and living space featuring magnificent flower grit floors and furnished with vintage and designer pieces. Beneath the high star vaults are walls with original gold thread decorations. A well-equipped kitchen completes this apartment, which is ideal for a family or suitable for a couple of friends.

  • Melissa for 2 people / 38 m²
    220 / night

    Unavailable

    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • 1 Kitchenette
    • Air conditioning

    Melissa is a casket with a floor decorated in cast graniglia and opens directly onto the garden and swimming pool. Once on the mezzanine, you will find an artist's floor beneath a star vault decorated with a flowery rose window. It feels like you can reach the sky! A bathroom with a large shower and a well-equipped kitchenette complete the apartment.

  • Anice for 2 people / 38 m²
    220 / night

    Unavailable

    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • Air conditioning

    Anice is a magical place within Distilia, with vintage furniture by Giuseppe Pagano and an appliqué by Angelo Lelii. Hidden and unexpected is the chapel with an altar, which stands beneath a painted sky. Once on the mezzanine, you will find a small alcove for young people of all ages and a frescoed star vault. A bathroom with a shower and a corner nook with a fridge, kettle and coffee machine complete the apartment.

  • Genziana for 2-3 people / 45 m²
    290 / night

    Unavailable

    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • 1 Kitchenette
    • 1 Sofabed (on req.)
    • Terrace
    • Air conditioning

    Genziana is a space full of southern light as it is illuminated by an elegant, mullioned window and connects to an exclusive terrace. Here you can admire the sunrise and sunset over a green sea of orange trees. Beneath the room’s straw roof, you’ll sleep peacefully in a bed by Scarpa. A bathroom with a large shower and a well-equipped kitchen complete the apartment, which is ideal for a couple or a family with a small child.

  • Alloro for 2-4 people / 40 m²
    290 / night

    Unavailable

    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Shower room (ensuite)
    • 1 Living room
    • 1 Kitchenette
    • 1 Extra bed (on req.)
    • 1 Sofabed (on req.)
    • Air conditioning

    Alloro is a Mediterranean-inspired, intimate space within Distilia. It overlooks the swimming pool and the centuries-old orange grove that separates the house from the town. Under its white star vaults are designer furnishings and unexpected chandeliers that will make your stay unforgettable. A bathroom with a large shower and a well-equipped kitchen complete the apartment, which is ideal for a couple or a family with children.

  • Ginepro for 2 people / 22 m²
    220 / night

    Unavailable

    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Kitchenette
    • Air conditioning

    Ginepro is a very intimate space and expands into an exclusive terrace within Distilia. From the large windows, you have a view across a sea of orange trees that enclose the houses, palaces and churches of the town. A bathroom with a large shower and a well-equipped kitchenette complete the apartment, which is ideal for a romantic couple’s escape.

Included in the rates
Rates include taxes.
Optional extras
Available on request: daily breakfast, spa entrance, massage treatments, private yoga class.
Children & Extra beds
Children of all ages are welcome. There is no space for extra beds but a baby cot is available on request.
Minimum stay
3 nights
Check in time
after 15:00
Check out time
before 10:00

Facilities & services

  • Children welcome
  • Swimming pool
  • WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Sauna
  • Garden
  • Central heating
  • Steam room/Hamam
  • Laundry service

Distilia guests enjoy access to our infinity pool, jacuzzi and waterfall, which are positioned within an ancient citrus grove. From the swimming pool, a beautiful staircase leads to the large terrace and solarium, which offers spectacular views across the village of San Cesario and its extraordinary sunsets. Tables and sunbeds are available for guests, as well as a laundry room. 

For an additional fee, guests can access Distilia’s Spa and enjoy various types of massages, as well as private yoga classes. We can also organise catering services for events, lunches and dinners or assist with booking boat tours, wine and olive oil tastings or horse rides on the beach. 

Things to do in Puglia & San Cesario di Lecce

  • Art / Culture
  • Shopping / Markets
  • Massages / Treatments
  • Yoga classes

San Cesario di Lecce’s main attractions are the Distilleria De Giorgi and the Leandro Home Museum, as well as an abundance of churches and historical monuments. As we are only six kilometres from Lecce, discovering the city’s magnificent Baroque architecture is a must. The closest beach is San Foca, which is 18 kilometres from Distilia.

The location of Distilia

Distilia is located in San Cesario di Lecce, which is around 20 kilometres from the Adriatic Coast and 30 kilometres from the Ionian Coast. Both coasts are wonderful, with a succession of splendid seaside villages, nature reserves, white sandy beaches and cliffs. Usually, we choose which coast to go to based on the day’s wind conditions. 

Brindisi Airport is around 40 minutes’ drive from the property while Galatina is 20 minutes away. In 30 minutes, you can be in Gallipoli or Otranto while just 10 minutes away is Lecce. 

I love that the region is full of history, wonderful architecture and so many small villages and towns to explore, each with its own peculiarity. We are also surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and the crystal clear water is simply wonderful. The hinterland and the coast are a perfect mix of experiences that never disappoint. In addition, the food is exceptional, with typical Salento cuisine including both land and sea delicacies.

When is the best time to visit Puglia?

The best time to visit is definitely from April to October, during our spring, summer and autumn. The temperatures increase gradually from April to August and then start to decrease again in September. We see the greatest number of tourists in August, so I would recommend June, July and the beginning of September if you want to enjoy the best of the Salento summer while escaping the crowds of August.