With its shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies, and delicate stone carving, there's something both unassuming and elegant about the Patria Palace Lecce. The hotel occupies a palazzo dating from the 18th century; it was once the residence of an aristocratic family, before being donated to a religious order and becoming an orphanage. The property first opened as a guesthouse in 1850 and it was only totally modernized in 1997. Stepping inside, however, it's clear most of the building's original Baroque architecture has been retained -- including both coffered and vaulted ceilings -- as well as numerous Art Deco features such as floral stained glass and warm wood paneling. The hotel also successfully blends details like antique gilt-framed artwork, colored glass light fixtures, and early 20th-century design furnishings to create eclectic and sophisticated interiors. Clientele tend largely towards vacationing couples, including plenty of Italian, British, and American tourists.

The hotel is located right in the center of Lecce and opposite the Basilica di Santa Croce, one of the most beautiful churches of the city. It's set in a restricted traffic zone (valet parking service is available) and the surrounding streets are full of restaurants and bars, as well as the region's only McDonald's. The Villa Comunale historic palace, which is surrounded by lovely public gardens, is just a few minutes away on foot, and the city's Duomo is a five-minute walk from the hotel. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, piazzas, and palazzos in almost every direction from the hotel. The Salento region, which is home to Lecce, is famous for its wines, and vineyards can be found in the surrounding countryside -- the wine-producing town of Salice Salentino is just 30 minutes west by car. The closest beach is a 20-minute drive east to the town of San Cataldo, while Gallipoli's well-known shores are about 40 minutes in the other direction by road. Lecce's main train station is a 15-minute walk from the hotel (10 minutes by taxi), while the Salento Airport is a 35-minute drive. 

No two of the hotel's 67 rooms are identical, though all tend toward the traditional, with design choices like coordinated patterned fabrics and striped wallpaper. There are artful touches, like modern landscape murals on some walls, that either complement or contrast the highly stylized Art Deco furniture, depending on your perspective. Colors overall hue toward the soft, with creams and yellows offset by warm wood tones in the furniture and deep navy accents in the soft furnishings and carpeting. The look certainly has polish, but some guests may not be enthralled with the classic aesthetic. Amenities include electric kettles, safes, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Bathrooms, which look slightly dated, are clad in marble and have shower/tub combos, a bit of space around large sinks, wall-mounted hairdryers, bathrobes, and toiletries. Higher-category rooms open to private furnished terraces with views over the city. Note that room size can vary dramatically, from spacious to rather cramped.

The Patria's free breakfast features an excellent selection of hot and cold items including a wide choice of breads, cheeses, egg, and meats. The Atenze Restaurant is also one of the best in the area and serves a fine-dining menu of traditional regional cooking in the restaurant or on a street-level terrace. There's also an elegant Art Deco-styled cocktail bar just off the lobby, and drinks can also be taken onto the rooftop terrace, which looks out over the city's skyline. Common to this kind of hotel in Lecce, there are no health or fitness facilities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and airport transfers can be arranged for a fee. The hotel also offers laundry services and valet parking in a private garage.