James' place was a quiet and comfortable retreat for me and my husband. Although it may feel remote as you drive down the unpaved road, in reality it's only an 8 minute drive into the small and charming town of Carovigno (where you can find fruit and vegetable vendors, grocery stores, an excellent bakery, enoteca, a pharmacy with €20 COVID testing, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and several other charming bar and restaurant options)! At the same time, it's only about a 15 minute drive into the bigger city of Ostuni, where you can find all of the above and more, if needed.
James has put so much thought and love into the entire accommodation.
For the outdoor spaces: The garden smelled amazing and looked incredible. The pool area was relaxing, outfitted with plenty of loungers and an umbrella, though it was never crowded as there are only 4 rooms. James laid out a lovely breakfast every morning at 8:30am with warm croissants, breads, jams, yogurts, fruits, juices, teas, and cereals. Having the one-touch coffee machine in the common space made things super easy. The rooftop was decked out with furniture and plants and made for a picture-perfect sunset. There were plenty of other sitting areas throughout the property for guests as well. James also had a basket of beach gear/chairs/umbrellas for people who wanted to explore some of the more "DIY" style beaches nearby - such as Torre Pozzolla and Torre Guaceto. Each room also seemed to have it's own little terrace with sitting area and a drying rack for your clothes.
For the interior: The apartment-style room was perfect for a couple. We were so happy to sleep in a comfortable bed with pillows that were not made of foam (as seems to be popular in Italy). The linens all were so fresh and clean, and we saw a blanket in the drawer for colder nights. The shower pressure was excellent and the bathroom was complete with ample bath & beach towels, a bar of soap, plenty of toilet paper, etc. The lavender was a great touch :) The apartment also had a mini fridge, 2-burner stove, and all of the equipment needed to prepare small meals (eating and cooking utensils, pots and pans, oil, salt, pepper, a tupperware, glassware, plates and bowls, paper towels and napkins, etc.) We took advantage of this on days when we were too full from a large lunch!
James is an extremely engaged and helpful host, we were able to text or message him with any questions or requests along the way. He was also just great to be able to chat with (in English) and carry on a conversation, not just as a host but also as a friend. We will definitely be recommending The Proud Garden to any of our friends and family who plan to visit the area in the future.