Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA
One Michelin Key
Hotel Details
Location
Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA · Ostuni, Italy
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Expert Review: Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA
Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA, Ostuni: A Michelin One-Key Oasis of Eclectic Luxury
Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA in Ostuni, a distinguished Michelin One-Key property, consistently receives high praise for its exceptional design, attentive service, and prime location. Housed within a beautifully renovated 18th-century Palazzo Rosso, this adults-only hotel offers a unique and memorable experience in Puglia's "White City."
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "excellent" or "fabulous." It holds an impressive overall score of 8.8 out of 10 on Booking.com, based on numerous reviews. Visitors consistently express immense satisfaction, using phrases like "loved everything," "amazing property," and "absolutely outstanding hotel." Many consider it one of the best hotels they have ever stayed in, highlighting its unique charm and luxurious offerings.
2. Key Highlights
Guests are particularly enchanted by several standout features:
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel's design is a major draw, described as "amazing," "unique and different," and "palatial, grand, dark, and almost gothic at times." It boasts an eclectic and cosmopolitan decor, thoughtfully curated by Pascale Lauber, featuring worldly antiques, reclaimed frescoes, and pieces from across the globe, creating a truly distinctive atmosphere. Its striking redbrick exterior is unique in Ostuni.
- Service & Hospitality: The service is frequently lauded as "5 stars," "fantastic," "very helpful and friendly," and "faultless." Staff are praised for being professional, accommodating, and quick to respond to guest requests, from restaurant bookings to transfers.
- Location: Situated in the heart of Ostuni's old town, the hotel enjoys an "excellent" and "perfect" location. It's nestled in a peaceful residential area, allowing guests easy walking access (5-10 minutes) to historic sights, attractions, engaging museums, and the town square.
- Amenities: Paragon 700 offers a remarkable array of amenities, including a stunning outdoor pool set within lush gardens – notably, the only pool in the town of Ostuni. The serene underground Spa 700, located in the palace's former water cistern, features Jacuzzis, steam baths, chromotherapy showers, and healing Himalayan salt walls. Guests also appreciate the vibrant Lounge Bar 700 and the hotel's expansive private garden.
3. Room Quality
The 15 rooms and suites at Paragon 700 are individually designed, offering a unique blend of modern comfort and historical charm. Each space is an "ode to beauty," featuring imposing vaulted ceilings, antique French and Italian armchairs, and high-quality king-size beds ensuring a restful stay. Many rooms boast unique elements such as huge bathtubs, private terraces, or decorative fireplaces, with some offering garden or landmark views. Standard amenities include air conditioning, private bathrooms, free WiFi, iPads with useful information, minibars with complimentary soft drinks, and luxury linen bathrobes and slippers with organic bath products.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel's Restaurant 700, open daily to both guests and the public, delivers a "gourmet culinary experience" with a sophisticated touch. The menu, under the direction of Giovanni Cerroni (a protégé of Michelin star chef Paolo Airaudo), emphasizes fresh, local, seasonal ingredients from Puglia, often with a modern fusion twist. Guests consistently praise the "excellent food" and "delicious food ánd cocktails."
Breakfast is a particular highlight, described as "great" and "delicious." It's an à la carte affair featuring a wide selection of local and homemade Puglian products, including eggs prepared any way, fresh juices, breads, garden picks, yogurts, cold cuts, and pancakes. The Lounge Bar 700 is also a popular spot for pre- or post-dinner cocktails, offering a selection of fine wines and innovative mixology.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Paragon 700 is consistently highlighted as a cornerstone of the guest experience. Staff members are repeatedly described as "amazing," "fantastic," "brilliant," "very helpful and friendly," "professional," and "attentive." Guests appreciate their efficiency in handling requests, arranging restaurant bookings, transfers, and providing valuable local information, contributing to a "faultless" stay.
6. Location & Accessibility
Paragon 700 is ideally situated in a peaceful residential area just north of Ostuni's historic center. Its central location allows guests to easily explore the "White City" on foot, with historic hilltop sights, engaging museums, and the town square all within a 5-10 minute walk.
For accessibility, Brindisi - Salento Airport (BDS) is the closest, approximately 30-40 kilometers or a 30-minute drive away. Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) is about an hour's drive. The hotel provides a paid airport shuttle service and offers secure private parking on-site. While beaches are about 5.3 miles away, the hotel's central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the wider Puglia region by car.
7. Value & Pricing
While receiving a "Value for money" rating of 7.9 on Booking.com, the general sentiment among guests is that the experience at Paragon 700 justifies the cost for a luxury boutique stay. Prices typically start from around $435.50 or EUR 368.95 per night for a double room. Deluxe Rooms begin at approximately €430, Deluxe Suites at €520, and Superior Suites at €600. Rates commonly include a gourmet à la carte breakfast, a welcome drink from the mixology bar, a minibar with non-alcoholic beverages, and secured private parking.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted by guests:
- Some guests found the outdoor pool to be too cold for swimming, even during warm weather.
- A minor point of discomfort was that some pool beds were in the afternoon sun, making them uncomfortable even with an umbrella.
- An isolated incident involved a guest feeling unwelcome after being questioned about their stay by a staff member on their third day.
Overall, Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & SPA offers an "unforgettable" and "extraordinary experience" for travelers seeking a design-focused luxury retreat with exceptional service in the heart of Ostuni.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted by guests:
Google Reviews
224 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Helena Nakamura
We spent our honeymoon at Paragon 700 and couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the incredibly kind owner and their staff — their hospitality and attention to detail made us feel instantly at home. We stayed in the Paragon Suite, which was absolutely stunning. The room was spacious and beautifully designed, with a private terrace...
Daniel James
We have just returned from a five day stay in Puglia using Paragon 700 as our base in Ostuni. The hotel is quirky and fun and has a nice mixture of old and new design. This is an old building and noise does travel. Something to bear in mind if you’re a light sleeper. We had a lovely turn down service in the evening and it was a lovely little touch to round off the day. The rooms and simple but ...
Response from the owner
Dear Mr. James,<br>We sincerely thank you for the wonderful words you shared about your stay at Paragon700 Boutique Hotel & Spa.<br>We are especially delighted that you appreciated our hospitality phi...
Sal Tantillo
We recently spent 3 nights at Paragon 700 and completely enjoyed our experience. From the moment we arrived we were treated as very special guests. The staff here is awesome. They helped us with making and changing dinner reservations, parking and retrieving our rental car, just to name two. The hotel has a charming bar area where the service is especially warm and friendly. Dinner at the hotel...
cosmin bodea
Paragon 700 is not just a place to stay; it is a complete experience that transports you into another world. It is both an art gallery and a museum, where every corner impresses with creativity, refinement, elegance, and sophistication. Everything is at the highest level, starting with the staff who welcome you at the entrance of the hotel. The location is also excellent. From Ostuni, you can set ...
Grace Townsend
Whilst the hotel itself was beautiful there seemed to be a disconnect between the quality of the hotel and the quality of the owners/ decision makers. I echo many of the complaints on here which leads me to believe the owner isn’t receptive to feedback. There was no full length mirror in the room despite so much space to add one. No tea/ coffee making facilities in the room, alternatively coffees ...
Lulu Minerva
We stayed here for the final part of our two week honeymoon around Italy. The location is lovely and Ostuni is a beautiful town with some lovely places to eat. The hotel however was a little underwhelming. It did not feel special at all. Our room had no windows and felt very damp, and looked different from the photos on the website. We found the staff to be quite rude and un attentive. The pool is...
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
