I really, really enjoyed where I stayed in Lecce. Casa dei Mercanti is somewhere between a BB and an apartment rental, but really feels more like a hotel.
I wrote two reviews one for Slow Travel and one for Trip Advisor. They are similar, of course.
I am copying some of the text here, because I wrote it when it was still fresh in my mind!
It is rare to not have any complaints about a hotel, but this bed and breakfast really is perfect! It is located on Piazza Sant'Oronzo, right in the middle of Lecce, but my room (Junior Suite Cremisi) faced the quiet back side of the building so there was no noise at all.
While Casa dei Mercanti is called a bed and breakfast, it is more like really beautiful self-catering apartments with great amenities. They are newly renovated and everything looks brand new and inviting. The junior suites are the smaller ones but still have a full-sized kitchen with all amenities, a dining table, sofa, flat screen TV in the main room as well as in the bedroom.
While Casa dei Mercanti is called a bed and breakfast, it is more like really beautiful self-catering apartments with great amenities. They are newly renovated and everything looks brand new and inviting. The junior suites are the smaller ones but still have a full-sized kitchen with all amenities, a dining table, sofa, flat screen TV in the main room as well as in the bedroom.
The bathroom is beautiful, shiny, and clean, with great water pressure, a hair dryer, bath products, and nice big towels. The bedroom was very pretty as well, with art work on the walls and a comfy platform bed. All rooms have shutters (tapparelle) that makes it both quiet and dark, so it is easy to sleep in!
I spent three nights at Casa dei Mercanti and would have loved to stay longer. Because the apartment is so spacious you don’t at all feel you are in a cramped hotel room.
The breakfast is maybe the only thing that is not great about the place; you basically go to a bar on the piazza and get a coffee and a cornetto. But having a kitchen, it was easy to pick up fruit, yogurt and other breakfast items so it wasn't a problem at all. They also provide a few breakfast items in the kitchen, as well as bottled water in the fridge - a nice touch!
There is not staff on-site 24/7 (which I guess is why it is called a BB and not a hotel) but Franzi, the manager, is there most of the day and he is extremely helpful. I arrived in the evening, after his normal hours, but he met me there, showed me around, and took the time to give me a map and tell me how to navigate the city. He also organized a great guided tour for me first day, suggested restaurants, etc.
I would whole-heartedly recommend this BB to everybody. Lecce is beautiful and very much worth visiting! And staying at Casa dei Mercanti made it even more pleasant.
Comments (5)
It looks like a very nice place. A good combo of modern and cozy!
Posted by Annie | September 2, 2009 2:43 PM
Posted on September 2, 2009 14:43
That looks fantastic and I seem to recall (from your earlier postings) that the price was remarkably low!
Posted by sandrac | September 3, 2009 1:36 PM
Posted on September 3, 2009 13:36
This does sound like a wonderful place to stay. I've never been further south than Amalfi, but really would love to remedy that problem someday! I almost booked a cute apartment in Salerno last October, but Florence drew me back :)
Posted by Anne | September 5, 2009 8:46 AM
Posted on September 5, 2009 08:46
This place looks perfect! I really do want to visit this area someday. Thanks for posting this. I will definitely try to stay here if I ever do get to Lecce.
Great to see you posting again! Have been curious about your trip. Hope everything is ok.
Posted by girasoli | September 8, 2009 12:57 AM
Posted on September 8, 2009 00:57
Thanks guys! I am doing great, just didn't feel inspired to write for a while, and had a very busy summer. Good to be back!
Posted by Chiocciola | September 8, 2009 7:19 AM
Posted on September 8, 2009 07:19