Hotel Grotta Palazzese
Italy
Hotel Grotta Palazzese
Via Narciso 59,
70044 Polignano a Mare (Bari), Italy
www.grottapalazzese.it
Hotel Grotta Palazzese
Group
Grotta Palazzese SRL
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
2007
Hotel General Manager
Francesco Stoppa
Hotel Positioning
5-star
Development Strategy
Our development strategy is guided by one simple goal: to create unforgettable experiences. By combining the charm of history with modern comfort, we continue to expand spaces where guests can dream, relax, and celebrate life, from the iconic cave to the seaside and beyond.
HOTEL NAME
History & Story
The Hotel Ristorante Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare is one of the most celebrated destinations in Puglia. Perched on cliffs above the Adriatic, it is famed for its extraordinary natural cave that has enchanted visitors for centuries. The hotel offers refined rooms and suites suspended between sky and sea. Modern design, panoramic terraces, and careful details create tranquility and elegance, enriched by exclusive comforts. The renowned restaurant inside the cave, among the most iconic worldwide, serves creative cuisine where the sea seems to flow into the dining room. Completing the experience, the panoramic Casanova Restaurant enhances the hotel’s unique hospitality.
Date Renewal
2019
Date added extensions
N/A
Main Strengths, Special Touch
The restaurant inside the cave offers a unique experience, set in a natural cavity overlooking the Adriatic Sea. On the cliffs of Polignano a Mare stands the exclusive hotel, in the heart of one of Puglia’s most charming villages. Guests enjoy elegant rooms and suites suspended between sky and sea, with panoramic terraces and modern design. The atmosphere is intimate and romantic, perfect for escapes. The Casanova Restaurant adds refinement, views, and enriches the hotel’s gastronomic journey.
Location
Set in the heart of Polignano a Mare’s historic center, Grotta Palazzese overlooks the Adriatic from dramatic limestone cliffs. Narrow alleys, whitewashed houses, and lively piazzas surround the hotel, while its unique position offers both privacy and charm in one of southern Italy’s most enchanting coastal villages.
Key sites/activities in the area
From the historic alleys and terraces of Polignano a Mare to the picturesque harbor of Monopoli, guests can easily explore Alberobello and its UNESCO trulli, the whitewashed villages of the Valle d’Itria, and the spectacular Castellana Caves. Bari’s historic district, with its cathedral and lively streets, completes a journey through Puglia’s most iconic treasures.
Fun Facts
Grotta Palazzese is renowned for its iconic cave restaurant and refined cliffside hotel in Polignano a Mare. Guests may also request access to the nearby Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel, with its private beach and elegant facilities, for a different perspective of the Adriatic. Two signature restaurants, including the panoramic Casanova, complete this unique hospitality experience.
Children’s Corner
Access to the Hotel Grotta Palazzese and the Grotta Palazzese Restaurant is reserved for guests aged 12 and above.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites: 7
The Suites at Hotel Grotta Palazzese, with their large windows overlooking the sea, offer a panorama unique in the world, where the blue of the sky and the Adriatic merge to enchant and amaze guests from every corner of the room. Spacious and refined, some suites also feature a private jacuzzi for moments of pure relaxation. Each suite includes among its finest details linen bedding, a wall-mounted bio fireplace, the latest generation Sony Bravia Smart TVs, and an advanced home automation system. The luxurious bathrooms, clad in white marble with ceramic fittings, include panoramic sea-view showers and BULGARI courtesy products. Fine cabinetry and upholstery, crafted by master artisans exclusively for the hotel, complete spaces that blend comfort, sophistication, and authentic Italian charm.
• Number of Luxury rooms: 12
The rooms at Hotel Grotta Palazzese offer guests a unique panorama, with windows and balconies overlooking the Adriatic Sea, where the blue of sky and water merge to create unforgettable views. Each room is elegantly furnished and enriched with fine details: high-quality linen, bathrooms clad in white marble with refined ceramic fittings, BULGARI courtesy line, Smart TV, and state-of-the-art home automation systems. The furnishings, crafted by master artisans, combine tradition and elegance, ensuring a welcoming yet sophisticated atmosphere. Intimate and evocative settings complete the experience, making every stay at Hotel Grotta Palazzese a moment of authentic luxury and enchantment, suspended between sky and sea.
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 19
Restaurants & Bars
• Grotta Palazzese: The Grotta Palazzese Restaurant in Polignano a Mare is one of the most iconic dining venues in the world. Set inside a natural cave overlooking the Adriatic, it offers an unforgettable atmosphere where the sea and sky embrace, enhancing refined cuisine with spectacular views and timeless Italian charm.
• Casanova Restaurant: The Casanova Restaurant, part of the Grotta Palazzese Group and featured in the MICHELIN Guide 2025, is set within the majestic Palazzo del Suono del Mare and overlooks the Adriatic from the cliffs. With breathtaking views of Hotel Grotta Palazzese and its iconic cave, it combines refined atmosphere and cuisine that reinterprets Apulian and Italian traditions.
Wellness
• For guests wishing to enrich their stay, it is possible to request access to the private beach of the sister property, Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel, located just 3 km from Hotel Grotta Palazzese. Here, the Adriatic reveals its most authentic charm, with crystal-clear waters, refined seaside facilities, and an atmosphere of relaxation and elegance. The Beach Hotel represents a natural extension of the Grotta Palazzese experience, offering moments of leisure and well-being by the sea, surrounded by comfort and beauty.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Palazzo del Suono del Mare, is the perfect setting for events and unforgettable celebrations. Its spacious interiors, featuring two elegant halls and spectacular terraces overlooking the Adriatic, provide a unique and evocative atmosphere, ideal for weddings, receptions, or exclusive meetings. The versatility of the venue allows every detail to be tailored, creating refined and memorable occasions. Thanks to its privileged location, impeccable service, and architectural charm, every event becomes an extraordinary experience, blending professionalism, style, and emotion in a truly incomparable setting. In addition, the elegant rooms of the Hotel Grotta Palazzese can accommodate event guests, ensuring comfort and luxury hospitality, while selected moments of the celebration can be enhanced by the unparalleled atmosphere of the iconic cave, making the experience even more exclusive.
Extra Notable Features
Guests may request access to the private beach of the sister property, Grotta Palazzese Beach Hotel, located just a few kilometers from the hotel.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
N/A
Number of employees
80