Relais Porta del Sudin Ceglie Messapica

Why it’s on the Edit

Relais Porta del Sud is a four-star relais in Ceglie Messapica. It sits between Ostuni and Ceglie Messapica, on the border between the Valle d’Itria and Salento. The relais describes itself as the architecture of Apulian farms with the comforts of modern hospitality, in a park of olive trees and Mediterranean plants, with fountains and water features.

The main building is a double central body, with a portico covered by a grape pergola at the front and an ancient colonnade at the back. The relais has 35 rooms and suites, a reception hall, a meeting room, a pool and a restaurant.

The case for it is a country base between Ostuni and the valley. The price band is the lowest we use, and an estimate, since no official rate was found.

The rooms

The Comfort rooms are the newest: ten of them were built in 2023 on the upper floor, with arches and barrel vaults, Canosa tuff and handmade wooden furniture. They have a king bed of 200 by 180 centimeters, a 50-inch TV, a walk-in shower, a safe and independent air conditioning, and a private or shared terrace, though some have a window only.

The 12 Superior rooms are on the first floor and were renovated in 2023. They have a private balcony over the pool or the garden, and some have a sofa bed for a third guest. Triple versions of both types exist.

The Deluxe Room has an independent entrance, barrel vaults, a jacuzzi, a walk-in shower, free wi-fi and a furnished patio.

The Suite with Veranda is Villa Pergola, a stone outbuilding near the pool, separate from the main body. It has a king canopy bed, a living room with a fireplace, a bathroom with fittings by the designer Philippe Starck, a wellness room with a Wellbox shower and a Technogym bike, and a private patio.

Eating and drinking

The restaurant offers menus of Apulian and national cuisine. The relais says many ingredients come from its garden: extra virgin olive oil, herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme, and grapes, walnuts, persimmons, pears, pomegranates, figs, almonds and prickly pears.

Breakfast adds quince jam, almond and fig preserves and cakes by the chef. The restaurant page also lists Christmas, Santo Stefano and New Year’s menus.

The Pool Bar serves an aperitif or a light lunch by day, with local products such as frise and puce bread. The restaurant’s regular opening days are not confirmed here.

The setting

The relais stands among olive trees, whose shade is the predominant element of the green area. The pool has sunbeds in the shade of the trees around it.

It offers oil and wine tastings, and the 24-hour reception presents programs to visit Ostuni, Ceglie Messapica and Cisternino for food, Alberobello for the trulli and Polignano for its historic center on the sea.

The relais puts the Adriatic within a 20-minute drive, and it offers to book a beach position at its partner Lido Plaia. Wi-Fi covers the common areas.

Good to know

• Check-in from 3 pm to 11 pm, check-out from 8 am to 10 am, reception open 24 hours.
• Wi-Fi is listed for common areas. In-room Wi-Fi is listed for the Deluxe Room.
• An airport shuttle is available as a charged service.
• Events are offered in the grounds, and there is a meeting room.
• Children, pets, parking and opening months are not confirmed here.
• Price band: 1 of 5 (estimated: no official rate found).

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

It suits couples and small groups who want a quiet country base with a pool and a garden kitchen, and who will drive to Ostuni, Cisternino and the coast. The stone villa suite is the room to ask about.

For the sea at the door or a town base, pick another page. Masseria Le Carrube near Ostuni has a vegetarian restaurant and a pool, and Corte di Ferro in Carovigno lists a spa.

Getting there

Relais Porta del Sud is on Contrada Palagogna, in Ceglie Messapica, in the Valle d’Itria. The relais names no airport, but it lists an airport shuttle as a charged service.

It names the railway stations of Ostuni (16 minutes by car), Francavilla Fontana (17 minutes) and Ceglie Messapica (9 minutes) as the nearest. The coast and the towns are separate trips by car.