La Peschiera review, Puglia, Italy: A little piece of Puglian paradise

Check-in

Translated as "the fish tank", La Peschiera is an unforgettable accommodation experience on Puglia's Adriatic coastline. Under the Small Luxury Hotels banner, it comprises a mere 13 whitewashed rooms, a restaurant and bar, all of which focus on Puglia's prized sea.

The Look

A bougainvillea-covered verandah leading from the private car park escorts you under shade to a chic, beachy lobby where friendly and helpful front desk staff assist with check-in. The property is right on the ocean, with natural terraces made of bamboo providing shade from the hot summer's sun. On the seafront, a breakwater extends along the resort, providing a safe beach from which to swim. There is also a secluded beach with its own cabanas and lifeguard - and to rear of the property, a huge main pool with more cabanas, plus six other varieties, including one heated pool (very handy for a windy day even in summer). And if you want more sun with better views along the coastline, the roof of the building is filled with daybeds, accessible via a stone staircase. Guests can also access the spa at their sister property, Il Melograno.

The Room

The centrepiece of this all-white, breezy cavern is a beautiful four-poster bed with muslin drapes and a large screen television at its foot and a pop of coral from the cushions. Overhead is a white wicker lightshade decorated with seashells. Arched doorways in the room are typical Puglia style, dressed simply with wooden and wicker furniture. There's a minibar, coffee and tea making facilities. But all of these things are secondary to what's immediately outside - a private terrace facing the sea out front, and another facing the pool out back. Within 10 minutes of arrival, there's freshly cut fruit and a glass of prosecco on the table, persuading you to take the time to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Stone walls separate your terrace from others; along the sides there are benches long enough to snooze on. Even though you have two cabanas out front ,you can move out into the sun or shade. There's a ladder for you to wade into the ocean right out front. At night, you can listen to the waves crash against the rocks. With the white colour scheme, it's almost how one would imagine heaven might be.