Paragon 700

Awful decision to have picked this hotel in Ostuni. I’m very rarely fussed about writing reviews (even for bad experiences) but staying in an underground suite for over EUR 1000 a night is simply not worth it. Coupled with defensive hotel staff and just a rude manager who pushed back on every request and began all answers to questions with “unfortunately” is just not what you would expect from a 5 star hotel. The food was average, the SPA came at an extra cost and the whole experience just felt very money grabby (pretty much everything is on sale - even the vases in the bathroom had price tags on them). The hotel was so inhospitable we tried to checkout the second night and asked for a pro rata refund but the manager simply refused. Stay somewhere else.

I put some thought into this review -- I'll list out some highlights and low lights in the event they are helpful to other travelers and the hotel owners (who, from what I gather from other reviews, seem to not be too invested in reviews and might be in the wrong business). The team here is truly extraordinary. I was very impressed particularly with Dev and Luigi. Dev was incredibly responsive and so was the rest of the front staff. Including helping me get air put into my tires on my rental car - really appreciated that. And helped me get some restaurant reservations - thank you! The bartender (not sure his name) made 2 of the best cocktails I've in worldwide travels - he's an incredible add to this hotel and I hope they know what a gem they have with him. I liked that I got free parking for booking direct - I would have been very upset if I didn't so that was a lucky chance. The housekeepers are some of the best - very thoughtful, did an excellent job, clearly work very hard. For a hotel that says it's 5 star, there are multiple things that drop it down to a 4 and in some cases even a 3. The rooms are incredibly small. Much too small for the pricepoint. I could barely turn around in there. I found it truly outrageous to not have an espresso machine or kettle in a "5 star" hotel. Then, to have to pay SIX EUROS for an espresso upset me very much. The coffees are only included at breakfast time - should also be in afternoon. Or lower price point. Cocktails are 18 euros, worth it given the bartender's talent, but very high pricepoint for the area.No steamer/ iron given. I didn't need one but that seems absurdNo full length mirror. No TV? I've never been in a hotel room without a TV? I wasn't offered a towel for the pool either day - they should be out and available The breakfast was just ok. Should have been way better with way more available as options. The poached eggs were a disaster and so was the toast. Pastries were just ok. In all, good hotel with potential but entirely too expensive for what it offers. 250€ per night would be much more reasonable.

We loved the history of Paragon 700 and the opportunity to stay in a building with such a fascinating past. The staff were wonderful — attentive, courteous, and genuinely warm. We also loved the privacy and peaceful atmosphere, especially on days when we simply wanted to relax by the pool with a drink. The design is another highlight. We appreciated how the hotel retains its original architectural elements while elevating them with a chic aesthetic, without losing the building’s character. That said, we really hope the hotel will address a few important details. It would be a pity for such a beautiful property to miss out on a 5/5 experience because of a few relatively simple but significant things: 1. Air conditioning: The AC did not circulate cool air effectively to the bed and bathroom areas. We woke up several times because it was hot, and even after showering, we would start sweating again while getting ready in the bathroom. 2. Shower design: The shower has no divider, so the bathroom floor gets wet every time. We appreciated that the room was cleaned twice a day and the floor wiped dry, but it inevitably became wet again after showering. We found ourselves constantly walking carefully on the wet floor to avoid slipping — while doing my hair and makeup in the morning, or using the toilet at night. 3. Coffee machine: There was no coffee machine in the room. Although the staff kindly offered to bring espresso whenever we wanted, we needed 3-4 cups before breakfast, so we felt guilty calling each time. At this level, having a coffee machine would be much more convenient. 4. Iron/steamer: There was no iron/steamer in the room. While the hotel offers pressing services, during summer, when linen is a staple, having one feels like a basic amenity — especially at this price point. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and loved the character, design, privacy, and wonderful staff. With improvements to the room amenities and functionality, Paragon 700 could truly deliver a 5/5 experience.