20 Feb 2025
Vista, the independent Italian hospitality group by the Passera family, has announced the upcoming opening of Vista Ostuni, a boutique hotel set within a restored 14th-Century palazzo in the ‘White City’ of Ostuni, in Summer 2025.
Originally built in the foothills of Ostuni as a convent, and later home to a tobacco-processing factory, the historic palazzo will be transformed into a serene hotel with just 28 rooms and suites, offering the utmost privacy for guests looking for a new way to experience one of Italy’s most enchanting regions. Guests of Vista Ostuni will find themselves far from the crowds, yet right in the heart of Ostuni.
The vision for Vista Ostuni derives from the unique partnership of Bianca and Luigi Passera – third and fourth generations of the Passera family of hoteliers – who, with the Vista brand, aim to curate exceptional experiences in Italy’s iconic yet underrated locations away from the typical tourist trails.
The project will bring one of Ostuni’s most emblematic buildings back to life, with a sensitive design by architect Roberto Murgia, of Milanese RMA Studio, that reflects the property’s original design, its history, and the surrounding Apulian environment.
More than 6,000 square metres of interior space has been delicately restored to enhance traces of the building’s history, from the entrance to the sky-high ceilings, to the surprising cloister on the first floor, with its geometric design and natural light that pours in through a glass ceiling.
Vista Ostuni’s design is a luminous tribute to Mediterranean vitality, featuring soaring ceilings, a generous and spacious year-round spa, and a sun-drenched pool terrace that will bask in natural light from dawn until dusk.
It will also be the first hotel in Italy with the green touch of Erik Dhont, a Belgian landscape designer chosen by the Passera family for his appreciation of native vegetation and his ability to craft landscapes that tell stories deeply rooted in the local region.
The culinary offering will be led by Andrea Berton, one of Italy’s most renowned Michelin-starred chefs. He will oversee Berton al Vista, a fine dining restaurant; Bianca Bistrot, a lively garden restaurant open from breakfast until aperitivo; the intimate and unexpected Library Bar; and the rooftop bar, a convivial spot for conversations and cocktails with unparalleled panoramas of the Apulian countryside and Ostuni.
Ostuni itself is a place of culture rooted in its coastal geography. Private transfers will take guests to the region’s finest beach clubs, just minutes from the hotel, or guests can embark on daily discoveries to close by destinations like Lecce, Matera and Alberobello. Vista Ostuni will act as each guest’s local guide, curating personalised experiences for every stay.
A centuries-old story
Vista Ostuni is more than a new hotel in a coveted corner of Puglia. This project marks the revival of a local landmark, reopening its doors after being abandoned for nearly 60 years.
Standing just steps from Ostuni’s cathedral, this unadorned building has been a part of the White City’s history and community for centuries. Originally built as a convent in the 1300s, it was first transformed nearly 500 years later, when Sister Maria Raimonda Fuentes provided shelter and education for underprivileged girls. In the early 20th century, it became the Manifattura Tabacchi, a tobacco-processing factory, employing around 600 female cigar rollers at its peak, before closing in 1969.
“From the moment we stepped inside, the building’s charm spoke to us”, said Bianca Passera, Chairwoman of Vista. “We have honoured the rich heritage of both the property and the town of Ostuni by incorporating sustainable Italian materials and resources, underscoring our commitment to environmental stewardship. Collaborating with skilled Italian artisans, we have preserved the essence of the space while working alongside visionary architects to create a fresh perspective – one that invites our guests to experience the property at its fullest potential”.
“We are a proud member of Leading Hotels of the World, which is a testament to the level of service and quality at Vista Ostuni, even before the opening of the hotel” added Luigi Passera, CEO of Vista. “Since the establishment of Vista, our objective has been to introduce the concept of luxury to new destinations, and Vista Ostuni represents the third and most significant chapter for our brand. This inauguration is a significant milestone for both our company and our family following our openings on Lake Como and in Verona. Ostuni reaffirms our mission to offer travellers a new perspective on smaller jewel towns of Italy".
Vista Ostuni has already achieved LEED® certification, the globally recognised standard for eco-friendly construction, and is the first hotel in the entire Puglia region to receive this important certification.
Vista Ostuni will open in Summer 2025. Room rates start from €1,500.
Travelling to Vista Ostuni:
Vista Ostuni is 37km from Brindisi airport, just 28 minutes drive by car.
During the summer, almost daily flights from London to Brindisi take 2.5 hours.
For more information, visit https://www.vistapalazzo.com/en/ostuni/vista-ostuni/.
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Notes to Editors
About Vista Ostuni
Vista Ostuni is a boutique, family-run hotel in Italy’s coveted ‘White City’ of Ostuni, in Puglia. Opening in summer 2025, the 28-key hotel marks the third property in the Vista hotel collection, following acclaimed properties in Lake Como and Verona.
Vista Ostuni is located within a gently restored 14th-Century palazzo, surrounded by two hectares of private gardens and an olive grove. Amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two restaurants and two bars overseen by renowned Michelin-starred Chef Andrea Berton, and a sun-drenched panoramic rooftop with views of Ostuni and the Adriatic Sea. The hotel is located just 37km from Brindisi airport (28 minutes drive).
Address: Vista Ostuni, Via Giosuè Pinto, 27, 72017, Ostuni, Italy
