Palazzo Margherita 5*L

The sleepy hillside village of Bernalda, in Italy’s Basilicata region, was the birthplace of Francis Ford Coppola’s grandfather Agostino. More than a decade ago, the filmmaker bought a dreamy nineteenth-century palace here—it was the setting for his daughter Sofia’s wedding—and turned it into a hotel four years ago. Elegant and sophisticated with a vintage style and a residential feel, this charming Villa Hotel features lantern-lit archways, wisteria-draped walkways, a small courtyard and a herb and citrus tree garden with a Baroque fountain! The Italian- and French-inspired décor lends a palatial feel, from its domed high ceilings with hand-painted frescoes, chandeliers and restored original marble floors, to bold, patterned floor tiles and wall borders. The antique-style furnishings have been custom-designed or selected by French interior designer Jacques Grange. The nine rooms & suites are different one another. Suite Nine nods to Francis’s Tunisian grandmother with its North African–inspired tilework and turquoise herringbone floor tiles, Suite Four has French doors and Juliet balcony overlooking the courtyard, while Suite Eight enjoys pink-frescoed ceiling. Both cinematic and lost in time, it’s a place where morning coffee and grilled toast with whipped ricotta followed by a stroll in the gardens can—and should—take you right into the next meal. The graceful and spacious Salon is a shared public space as well as the Cinema Room, where guests can watch old films, including a collection of Italian classics curated by Francis, on a large projection screen! There is a small bar in the garden, a pool and a private dining area.