“Because the truth is, there's a lot of magical hotels out there. But what makes something truly unique is the location in which it is, because our hotels aren't buildings that were built. They are beautiful essences, that were renovated with love and were kept the same. They were just polished. Nothing from our hotels was changed.”
We’re in great company with Marialuisa D'Angelo, the Managing Director of The D'Angelo Family Collection, a thoughtfully curated portfolio of intimate boutique hotels and organic vineyards, woven across three of Italy's most evocative regions—Lecce, Matera, and Lake Como.
Alongside her parents, Marialuisa has rebuilt these rare sanctuaries with unwavering intention—spaces where local artisans and farms shape every sensory detail, where silence is luxury, and where the art of slowing down, “il dolce far niente,” feels like coming home.
In this episode, Marialuisa shares how a childhood spent moving between eight countries taught her that stories are humanity's shared currency, and how that belief now shapes every meal, every room, every moment at her family's collection.
Top Takeaways
[2:00] Born in Southern Italy but raised across eight countries, Marialuisa developed a profound love of storytelling and realized the power of human connection from an early age.
[5:10] Her parents' return to Italy was rooted in gratitude—a desire to give back to the country that shaped them. Marialuisa's path, however, was her own—a desire to return to the family business where she could tell stories that mattered.
[10:20] It started in Matera, her father's hometown, with a neglected palazzo. Success there sparked Villa Mojana on Lake Como, then Palazzo Zimara in Lecce—three intimate sanctuaries born from opportunity and deep regional roots.
[12:25] In a world where constant connection breeds disconnection, The D’Angelo Family Collection are sanctuaries designed to pause that cycle—where each space invites guests to simply be present.
[16:00] Three distinct landscapes, one philosophy—Lecce's baroque streets and limestone walls echo Florence's grandeur, Lake Como offers Alpine silence surrounded by green, Matera's neolithic caves whisper ancient history. Each property is lovingly restored—never reinvented—preserving the essence of places where culture and agriculture intertwine.
[18:40] Guided by her mother’s architectural motto "less is more"—guests feel home away from home, surrounded by the authentic essence of the place from the strategic lighting to the local artisans, and regional services.
[22:55] Menus shift monthly with the seasons, sourced in a true kilometer zero philosophy. Open kitchens invite chefs to share stories of local producers directly with guests, while communal tables turn strangers into friends and meals into memories.
[28:10] The D’Angelo Family’s organic wines anchor every property through tastings, wine baths, pairing menus, and workshops. Each sip connects guests to volcanic terroir and the belief that true hospitality is about meaningful experience, not just consumption.
[32:10] In a generation creating memories through screens, Marialuisa hopes to instill the magic of authenticity, identity, and real connection—believing family businesses leave the most meaningful footprints on earth.
Notable Mentions
The Sassi of Matera, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Arcidiaconata, Organic Aglianico del Vulture D.O.C.
Cuccù from Matera
Limonta on Lake Como
Visit For Yourself
The D’Angelo Family Collection Website | @thedangelofamilycollection
Palazzo Zimara | @palazzozimara | @labocca_restaurant_
Villa Mojana di Limonta | @villa_mojana_bellagio
Il Palazzotto | @ilpalazzottomatera
Radino Wine Bistrot | Francesco Radino Wine | @radinowine
10% off when you email directly with code SIGC25
