Palazzo Daniele, the 163-year-old aristocratic hotel from the GS Collection located in Gagliano del Capo, Puglia, has unveiled its new suites and a reimagined common space.
The eleven-suite luxury hotel, known for its minimalist grandeur and dedication to contemporary art, has undergone a transformation by Palomba Serafini Studio, that preserves the palazzo’s rich heritage while introducing a refined contemporary aesthetic that seamlessly integrates past and present. The expansion of Palazzo Daniele plays with the idea of home, with the goal of making guests feel as though they were welcomed into the arms of an old friend.
Originally constructed in neoclassical style in 1861, the property was reshaped by Gabriele Salini in collaboration with Milan-based Palomba Serafini Studio to reopen as a hotel in 2019. Today, Palazzo Daniele seeks to honour its storied past while creating a contemporary canvas for art and design.
Rooted in a respect for Italian artistry and craftsmanship, the design strips back as much as possible to reveal the palazzo’s authentic character, dramatic ceilings and original architecture. By enhancing the project rather than altering, GS Collection and Palomba Serafini worked to ensure the continued expansion of the new guest suites and public spaces resonate with the timeless sense of place.
The new common area has been restored with a focus on the left wing of the palazzo, reclaiming previously unused spaces and unlocking a new architectural discovery – an oil mill embedded within the historic structure. Once a stable for horses and carriages in the 19th century, this space was later transformed into an oil mill in the 20th century.
Today, three original hydraulic presses have been meticulously preserved and incorporated into the communal living area, creating a striking dialogue between industrial heritage and modern refinement. The spacious living room opens onto a newly landscaped outdoor garden framed by a towering cypress tree, merging the concepts of indoor and outdoor living.
Anchoring the common area is the Osaka sofa by La Cividina, designed by Pierre Paulin, its proportions perfectly mirroring the grandeur of the room. Sculptural iron benches further enhance the materiality of the space, reinforcing the connection between past and present, while in the dining room, a custom-designed iron table and intricate lighting installation by Nassi pulls focus.
Meanwhile, Palazzo Daniele’s new suites feature subtly textured patinas on the walls, while the bathrooms serve as sculptural focal points. Each vaulted room is defined by meticulously restored & designed elements, such as recessed sinks and fabric partitions, 19th century mosaic tiles, custom lighting, alongside showers and bathtubs designed to enhance the original architecture.
Historic grandeur meets contemporary comfort in the three new Royal Suites, each of which brings its own distinctive character. In one, a lofty sitting area with a distinctive fireplace, is framed by the curved architecture of the original structure. The bedroom is anchored by a bedframe suspended between the ceiling and floor, creating a striking visual effect with the vaulted architecture.
The bathroom is accessible through a low, doorless passageway, rhythmically illuminated by parallel neon lights. One of the original basins has been preserved and transformed into a stone bathtub, while the other two now serve as freestanding sinks and fixtures slightly detached from the wall.
The second Royal Suite’ living space is accented by a towering bookcase built into the wall, adorned with colourful titles, and the bathroom reveals an eleven-sided stone rainfall shower in the centre of the room.
The final new Royal Suite similarly features a 6m shower, which also functions as a spa-like bathtub. This room’s defining modern light fixtures, artwork and mosaic tile flooring in the bedroom meld past and present, inviting guests to discover the history of the palazzo.
Overlooking the Palazzo’s Court of Honour, the new, refined Executive Suite features the original 19th-century mosaic flooring alongside luxurious modern finishes. The suite is complemented by an 11-square-meter cocciopesto bathroom, an ancient Roman material, with a spacious shower, double vanities and views of the orangerie and Kaffehaus. The toilet is tucked away behind a fabric screen in an understated, domestic touch that reinforces the feeling of home.
