There’s a new jewel amongst the sun-bleached stone of southern Italy.
Vista Ostuni, the flagship of a bold new hospitality concept, has opened its doors in Puglia’s famed White City.
Riling against the rustic charm of a traditional masseria, Vista Ostuni is a next-generation grand hotel set within five-storey 14th-century palazzo. Presiding over Ostuni’s old town and its ancient olive groves and the glittering Adriatic beyond, the hotel is a bold architectural revival; thanks to architect Roberto Murgia of Milan’s RMA Studio. The Vista brand, conceived by Bianca and Luigi Passera, aims to bring refined Italian luxury to places where it has not traditionally existed.
From its origins as a convent to a hospital, orphanage, girls’ school, and eventually a tobacco factory, the building’s evolution mirrors the layers of Ostuni’s own past. Closed since 1968 and virtually untouched for decades, the property was acquired by the Passera family in 2023. Over two years, it underwent a meticulous restoration to perserve its history while embracing modern sensibilities.
The result is stunning. Over 6,000 square meters of historic interiors have been reimagined with soaring vaulted ceilings, contemporary Italian furnishings, bespoke Trani stone bathrooms, and white curved sofas framed by sun-washed limestone walls. Each of the 28 suites is unique, with design touches such as handcrafted ceramics from Grottaglie, mid-century lighting, and custom Dedar fabrics in earthy shades of teal, terracotta, and ochre.
Guests arrive through a secluded courtyard shaded by carob, olive, and citrus trees, centred around a central fountain. A rooftop infinity pool, secret gardens, vaulted cloisters, and rooftop terraces can all be found throughout the hotel as they each take design cues from centuries past. At its heart is a three-hectare garden, the first Italian project by acclaimed Belgian landscape architect Erik Dhont. The garden is a makes for a living expression of the Apulian countryside; flowering slopes, dry-stone walls, maquis shrubs, and aromatic herbs fill the air with heady brew of aromas. A belvedere terrace reveals panoramic ocean views, while shaded green nooks offer a place of respite from all the other relaxing you’ll be doing. For those looking to unwind further, the year-round spa includes nearly 400 square meters of wet areas under mosaic-clad vaults, along with treatments using Biologique Recherche products, an indoor pool, and a gym. Outdoors, a “wellness path” winds through the gardens, harnessing the centring power of the Southern Italian hinterland.
Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton brings his signature culinary vision to two distinct dining venues. Berton al Vista, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, offers modern interpretations of Apulian classics using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
The hotel’s bars—Chiostro Bar and the rooftop Infinity Bar—compliment each other perfectly in that they are completely unalike. The former is a cloistered hideaway with vintage furnishings and timeless glamour; the latter, a lush rooftop hangout with hanging herbs and cocktails. Don’t miss the Friggitello, a spicy-sweet nod to the local green pepper, best enjoyed from a “Bambola” armchair overlooking the rolling hills of Ostuni.
Service is attentive, classic, and deeply personal. Bags are unpacked on arrival, sunglasses are wiped poolside, and turn-down service comes with old-world charm. The hotel runs completely gas-free, powered by solar panels and supplied with rainwater harvested in underground cistren. Ingredients are sourced from a nearby urban garden, and the hotel is working towards LEED certification, all while operating as a Benefit Corporation since 2021.
“Ostuni represents our boldest and most meaningful project to date,” says CEO Luigi Passera. “We believe luxury can thrive outside of Italy’s traditional hotspots.” His sister, Bianca Passera, Vista’s President, adds,
“Restoring this palazzo has been a labor of love. It’s a place that feels both timeless and entirely new.”
Indeed, Vista Ostuni is a redefinition of luxury. It is rooted in history and wrapped in the scent of the Mediterranean breeze. A rebirth of an ancient building, heralding a new era in Italian hospitality.
