Palazzo Margherita

This intimate palazzo property, owned by Francis Ford Coppola, offers an Italian oasis complete with a lovely garden and pool in Basilicata, the region to the west of Puglia.

• The small, private oasis feel of the palazzo
• The individually appointed suites
• The location in Bernalda, where it lies nestled between the quiet, historic old town and the blossoming new town

From the street, it’s easy to miss the large, unmarked, blue wooden doors that separate Palazzo Margherita from the bustling town of Bernalda. But once visitors have entered the oasis-like grounds, the resort’s understated entryway leads into the beautiful, intimate palazzo.

Built in 1892 by the Margherita family, this estate is an elegant palazzo complete with a courtyard and garden. The property is owned by famous film director Francis Ford Coppola, whose grandfather Agostino Coppola was born and raised there. This focus on family is a common theme at the property, which Coppola designed in partnership with his children and grandchildren to ensure it would be a place that they would want to return time and time again.

With the help of French interior designer Jacques Grange, Francis transformed the palazzo into a breathtaking boutique hotel with nine rooms and suites. Francis oversaw the restoration of the original marble floors and hand-painted fresco ceilings, and Grange contributed a creative touch with exotic tiles, wallpaper and furniture from around the world (including an original Murano glass chandelier and full wooden bar from Torino). Coppola’s two children and one grandchild–Sofia, Roman and Gia–each got to design their own suites, and you can feel their influence in the décor. Suite nine is dedicated to Coppola’s Tunisian-born grandmother and has North African design accents. The best rooms are in the main palazzo; it is recommended to avoid the garden rooms and suites, which are in a different building and have a more rustic aesthetic.

Palazzo Margherita is centered around a small courtyard where guests can enjoy breakfast in the morning, lunch and drinks throughout the day and dinner by candlelight at night. The hotel offers a tailored guest experience, so dinner can also be enjoyed in one’s room, at the cozy communal table in the eat-in kitchen or at Cinecittá, the cinema-themed café. After dinner, guests can watch a film from Coppola’s hand-picked movie collection in the drawing room with its state-of-the-art speaker system.

Beyond the courtyard lies the walled garden, which is filled with ivy-covered canopies, hidden seating areas, fruit trees and a baroque fountain. Tucked behind the garden is a large swimming pool that is perfect for lounging. Guests who wish to visit the beach can drive 15 minutes to the hotel’s private beach club.

Couples and families with well-behaved kids looking for an authentic Italian palazzo experience, high-touch service and a great location for exploring the surrounding area.