Handwritten Collection, the new collection brand from Accor, with a portfolio of charming hotels around the world, opens its first Italian property in Apulia: Relais San Martino.
The hotel is set in the heart of the small town of Taviano, amongst the stunning setting of the Ionic-Salentine arch. The property is conveniently located near the best beaches in the area, including a private beach in Gallipoli and is close to the city of Lecce.
The building is a historic 18th-century palace that has been renovated in respect of the local architectural tradition. This ancient residence has been transformed into a marvellous Relais with 31 rooms, including 5 Suites, 1 Junior Suite and 2 Apartment Residences (Superior and Deluxe). Each room has been decorated by hand and features unique characteristics, vaulted ceilings, and period cement floors.
In the Relais San Martino - as with every Handwritten Collection property - the owner's true passion is expressed; here, it is represented by seawater. Guests can experience this through the small details throughout the hotel, from the reception to the wellness area - with treatments that use the benefits and properties of seawater - to the restaurant and bar, with cocktails and seawater-based dishes
An enchanting wellness area is part of the hotel, offering relaxation with an outdoor pool, whirlpool, fitness boutique and a meditation citrus grove. The fitness area, located on the exclusive terrace of the Relais, is also equipped with the latest Technogym equipment, and it is possible to book individual or group training sessions with a Personal Trainer.
Relais San Martino also hosts one of the most renowned restaurants in the Salento region, A Casa Tu Martinu. Within its centuries-old citrus grove - chef Chiara Murro - offers guests authentic Apulian dishes with simple and healthy ingredients that boast unforgettable flavours, so guests can discover the local culinary tradition. As of 2021, an interesting experiment has begun involving the use of seawater in cooking. The healthy properties of seawater, combined with the passion, curiosity and commitment of chef Chiara Murra, have been transformed into an authentic and unique menu entirely based on seawater, including desserts. Salt has therefore been eliminated from the kitchen of Casa Tu Martino, which skilfully uses seawater to give dishes an intense and natural flavour.
"For us, it is an important step forward to work with Accor's Handwritten Collection brand. We have invested heavily in the development of our hotel over the past few years and believe that the Relais San Martino Salento - Handwritten Collection, as part of Accor's portfolio of customised properties, will attract tourists from all over the world with its excellent location, unique philosophy, and happiness-oriented approach to its guests," said Angelo Ria, CEO & Founder of Ria Hotels, owner of the relais.
"We are extremely proud to open the first Handwritten Collection hotel in Italy. This new brand, launched by Accor earlier this year, is perfectly suited to the hotel reality in our country, which is full of unique and original properties that reflect the personality of their owners. The Handwritten Collection brand will give international visibility to these structures by enhancing their uniqueness to travellers from all over the world." says Ettore Cavallino, Senior Director Development, Italy Greece & Malta