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Jewelry Designer Thelma West’s Guide to Puglia

Transforming an 18th-century manor house into a chic new hotel, Casina Cinquepozzi, West shares special insight into her favorite place

By Lucy Rees
Traditional Italian trullo houses with conical roofs and stone walls on a sunny day in a quaint village setting.
Conical stone houses known as the Trulli of Alberobello. Photo: IMAGE PROFESSIONALS GMBH/ALAMY

For Nigerian-born, London jewelry designer Thelma West, a visit to Puglia was love at first sight. Known for crafting ravishing bespoke diamond jewels that marry a contemporary look with traditional techniques, West now applies that creative ethos to an 18th-century manor house turned hotel, Casina Cinquepozzi, which she and her husband opened this spring.

There are some extraordinary artisans in Puglia, each of whom has brought their own magic to Casina Cinquepozzi. Peppino Campanella created sculptural lights that don’t just illuminate rooms but also tell stories. He has a dreamy studio full of treasures in Polignano a Mare. Deni Bianco’s cartapesta (papier-mâché) is another layer of poetry. His works have been a staple at the Putignano Carnival over the years. Le Costantine’s linens are heirlooms in the making. Enza Fasano, a ceramic visionary in Grottaglie, creates a dialogue between heritage and modernity.

Person in yellow pants and white shirt standing near a stone wall and small church under a clear blue sky.
Jewelry designer Thelma West at Casina Cinquepozzi, an 18th-century manor house in Puglia, Italy, she transformed into a boutique hotel. Photo: ALESSANDRA FINELLI

Some must-try local restaurants are Goodo, a stylish spot in Locorotondo. Gaonas Officine del Gusto in Martina Franca will blow you away with its range of flavors and flair. We also like Angelo Sabatelli, the Michelin-starred gem in our very own Putignano.

Cozy living room with arched stone ceilings, a brown sectional sofa, illuminated bar shelves, and sunlight through curtains.
Bar. Photo: Courtesy of Casina Cinquepozzi
Elegant dining table set with plates, glasses, and cutlery, featuring a centerpiece of vegetables and rustic decor.
Guest dining. Photo: Courtesy of Casina Cinquepozzi
Elegant bedroom with arched ceiling, canopy bed, cozy seating area, soft lighting and minimalist decor.
Guest suite.
Elegant bathroom with green curtains, arched glass doors, and a circular tub surrounded by ornamental tiles and plush chairs.
Amenities. Photo: Courtesy of Casina Cinquepozzi

Some of my favorite artisanal boutiques include Civico Tre in Ceglie Messapica, which features a curated assortment of art, objects, and design pieces. Antonio D’Erasmo in Bari is a dream for those who love antiques and salvaged wonders or modern exotic pieces. Aurelia Leone in Rutigliano is a terra-cotta artist and illustrator, but it was her jewelry that caught my eye.

Everyone should experience a visit to Matera, a historic rock-cut town located on the border of Basilicata and Puglia. It is out of this world. The Trulli of Alberobello are also unmissable. These conical stone houses, built without mortar, are an architectural rebellion, a response to history and necessity.

Large white villa with a robust brick wall and tall trees, against a blue sky.
Casina Cinquepozzi. Photo: Courtesy of Casina Cinquepozzi

Puglia rewards those who explore. Some of my best swims are in quiet pockets of the Adriatic where the sea meets limestone. There, the only soundtrack is the wind and the waves. One of my absolute favorites is Cala Verde, a secluded little paradise near Monopoli. Torre Guaceto, a protected marine reserve, is pure, unspoiled magic. For something wilder, there’s Lido Morelli, a long stretch of soft, white sand tucked inside a protected nature reserve.

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2025 Summer Issue in the section “Insider’s Guide.” Subscribe to the magazine.