Hum.. I don’t know what you are dreaming about this Sunday.. but me, it is about going to the new hotel that Francis Ford Coppola opened in south of Italy (must be my summer hormones!). Francis Coppola indeed completely restored, with French super star interior designer Jacques Grange, an old 19th century palazzo in Bernalda, the town where his grand father came from. The director of The Godfather wanted to save this building which was a listed building and transform it into a small, luxurious hotel, believing it was time to introduce visitors to this stunning and still undiscovered part of Italy. The result is outstanding.. and ps: it is here that Sofia Coppola got married last year (and she apparently also filmed some scenes from Nowhere there.. can you recognise them?). Anyway, let’s the visit begin! 

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

View of the dream courtyard.. surrounded by luxurious gardens and a swimming pool of course..

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

The opulent “Salone”, inspired by the films of the great Italian director Luchino Visconti, is during the day a place for reading, playing cards, enjoying afternoon tea and drinks; at night, it becomes a cinema, equipped with professional-quality sound and projection, and watch one of the 300 Italian movies selected by Mr Coppola himself!

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

The bar has been furnished with vintage pieces coming from Turin.

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

At the front of the Palazzo, the Cinecittà Bar is a traditional café and pizzeria that spills out onto Bernalda’s main street and looks onto the town square.

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

Fresh flowers are brought to all the rooms every day!

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

There are only 9 rooms. Each member of the family chose the decoration of one room, even the kids, hence the names of the rooms are Roman, Francis, etc.

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

The interior is styled with tiled floors as well as Moroccan and Baroque-inspired hand-painted fresco ceilings. Grange designed some of the exotic tiles and furniture, including one of the most beautiful suites, which is in a Tunisian style to honor Francis Coppola’s Tunisian-born grandmother. All of the floors in the Palazzo have been restored from the original Carrara marble.

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

Palazzo Margherita, Bernalda, Italy

How romantic and decadent no? For further information, check out their website here. And you.. what are you dreaming about this Sunday..?