Palazzo Melogna: Our Airbnb with a Rooftop Over Ostuni
The Airbnb That Made the Drive Worth It
The Short Version
A beautifully restored historic palazzo in Ostuni, with original tile floors, bold green bathrooms, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. The interior perfectly blends historic charm, like original tiles and arched ceilings, with modern upgrades.
Location: Ostuni, Italy
Sleeps: Up to 4
Layout: Two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, and rooftop terrace
Perfect for: Larger families, groups of friends, and anyone who appreciates architecture and outdoor entertaining.
Highlights: Original patterned tile floors, hot tub, panoramic rooftop views, and outdoor kitchen.
By the time my friend Bailey and I arrived at Palazzo Melogna in Ostuni, following our stay in Monopoli, I was fairly certain I was never getting behind the wheel of a rental car again. We'd picked it up at Brindisi Airport earlier that afternoon, and while the first part of the drive had gone surprisingly well, things took a turn when we reached Ostuni's narrower streets.
At one point, Bailey had her head practically hanging out the passenger-side window, telling me how many inches I had between the car and the buildings while I pressed against the windshield trying to make sure we didn't hit anything on the other side. After discovering that the parking lot our Airbnb host had recommended was full, we found ourselves trying to navigate yet another impossibly narrow street where a very impatient Italian driver started honking at us. I actually yelled, "I'm an American!" out the window, as though that explained it all.
We eventually found another parking spot, but not before hearing a horrifying crunch that convinced me I'd damaged the car. Fortunately, I was wrong, and we were finally able to collect our bags and make the walk to the apartment. By that point, I was just thrilled to have survived the experience, and walking into Palazzo Melogna made it worth it.
Original Tiles and Dark-Green Details
The property manager, Luca, met us at the apartment and gave us a tour, explaining that it had recently been renovated by an American family. I loved how they'd preserved the original character of the building while incorporating beautiful contemporary finishes.
Many of the original floor tiles had been kept intact, giving the rooms so much personality and clearly serving as inspiration for the color scheme. Rather than trying to make everything look brand-new, the renovation allowed those historic details to stand alongside more modern elements, and I thought the combination was beautiful.
My favorite design feature was the dark-green bathroom. It had a tall, sleek pedestal sink in a beautiful deep green, with a matching toilet and bidet. The same color appeared in the bedroom, where a green stripe ran around the walls and coordinated with the headboard. I loved how thoughtfully the color had been carried throughout the space without making everything feel overly coordinated. The same design concept was used in the master bedroom where Bailey was staying.
I'm always drawn to accommodations with incredible interiors, and this apartment was a great example of why. It felt like someone had really considered the design rather than simply renovating an old building and filling it with generic furniture.
Inside Palazzo Melogna
The apartment had two bedrooms, each with a queen-size bed and its own en-suite bathroom, plus an additional half bathroom just off the living area. Bailey had the larger bedroom, which even had a Jacuzzi tub that we never got around to using.
When you entered the apartment, you walked directly into a spacious living room with a couch, television, coffee table and a little dining area tucked into the corner. Beautiful balcony doors opened onto the street below, although we mostly kept them closed during the August heat. Both bedrooms were located to the left of the living area, while the kitchen was tucked around the corner to the right.
The kitchen was fully equipped, with a refrigerator, dishwasher, oven and stove. We didn't do much cooking during our stay, but it was a proper kitchen with everything you'd expect for preparing meals.
The apartment also had air conditioning in both bedrooms, which kept us comfortable despite the heat outside.
Another thing I appreciated was how quiet the apartment was at night. Palazzo Melogna was in a quieter part of town, away from the busiest tourist streets, and I didn’t have any trouble sleeping.
A Rooftop Overlooking Ostuni
As beautiful as the interiors were, my favorite part of Palazzo Melogna was, without a doubt, the rooftop.
A staircase through the kitchen led to an expansive private rooftop terrace, complete with a hot tub, outdoor shower, and kitchen with dining space. From there, you could look out across Ostuni toward the historic center, with the Adriatic Sea visible in the distance. The entire rooftop was ours to enjoy, and all of its amenities were available for our use.
Having a rooftop like that was one of the things that made this apartment stand out when I was choosing our accommodations. I love finding places where the outdoor spaces are just as appealing as the interiors, especially when I'm traveling somewhere with beautiful architecture and scenery.
I can also confirm that having a rooftop hot tub was a lot of fun.
Staying in Ostuni
Palazzo Melogna was a wonderful base for exploring Ostuni, particularly because we could leave the apartment and spend our time wandering through town on foot. After all, I'd sworn I wasn't getting back into that rental car until it was time to return it to the airport.
We'd originally planned to visit Alberobello and Locorotondo, but staying in Ostuni gave us more time to explore the town itself, and we were both happy with that decision. We spent our time wandering the streets, exploring little shops, visiting antique stores, and enjoying some wonderful restaurants. We also attended a cooking class at a beautiful masseria just outside town, and the host arranged transportation for us, which meant I didn't have to think about the rental car for the rest of the day.
For anyone planning to rent a car, I would recommend looking into the parking situation before arriving. Our host had provided recommendations for public parking, and although the first lot was full when we arrived, we ultimately found a space at his second suggestion and walked about ten minutes to the apartment. The parking wasn't reserved for guests, and reaching the apartment involved interior stairs, with another staircase leading up to the rooftop. Once we'd settled in, though, getting around Ostuni on foot was really easy.
Would I Stay at Palazzo Melogna Again?
Without a doubt. Between the beautiful original tile floors, the thoughtful details, and the incredible rooftop, Palazzo Melogna was one of the most memorable accommodations from our time in Puglia.
I'd recommend it to families, couples, friends, and anyone who appreciates beautiful design or outdoor entertaining. With two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a spacious living area and a private rooftop, it was a fantastic setup for our stay.
When I think back on our time in Ostuni, I remember how relieved we were to finally arrive, how happy I was walking through the beautifully renovated rooms, and how much we enjoyed having that rooftop overlooking the town. The apartment was everything I'd hoped it would be, and it certainly made me feel better about our rather eventful journey getting there.
Although, if I booked it again, I think I'd take the train.
