by The heels of Italy are a truly exotic ‘masserie’ – historic country estates that incorporate Arabic, Greek and Spanish influences into their distinctive vernacular architecture. From the 16th to the 18th century these hacienda-like farms, traditionally painted white, feature baronial manor houses with vaulted stone porches and halls, private chapels, farm buildings and sometimes cone-roofed ‘trulli’, opening into aerial yards. . Some grew around ancient coastal watchtowers with seraphic views of the sea; others were fortified and belted with vineyards, croplands, almond, wool and lemon groves.
Today, many have been converted into agriturismi, hotels or resorts where the march of time is marked ‘adagio’ and between man and nature are still in dialogue. Styles range from laid-back rustic to uber-chic designer hotels with landscaped gardens, pools, spas and horticultural restaurants, yet the sustainable ethos and positive spirit of their origins is evident. Here is our selection of the best masseria hotels in Puglia.
How we review
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, and is usually hosted on a free basis. They stay for at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences (in this case, for example, the family facilities) that the hotel may have.
This contemporary masseria, sun-drenched, white-washed, is located in a landscape of ancient olive groves overlooking Ostuni and the Adriatic Sea. This boutique retreat provides a contemporary take on the traditional train station, with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors featured alongside the original archways and white-washed walls. The interior is rustic and minimal in style, with design accents such as oriental rugs and dotted wooden furniture. All this provides the relaxed, bohemian setting for stylish stays in one of four double or twin rooms, complete with communal dining area, light-filled lounge, gym, spa and outdoor pool.
As a charming member of the Rocco Forte hotel collection, Masseria Torre Maizza combines the authenticity and character of its rural heritage setting with the contemporary luxury of this hotel group. Within historic walls distinguished by original features such as a medieval tower and sweeping arch, the highlights of this Puglian retreat include traditional contemporary rooms and suites, the Bougainvillea Bar, a pool bar and the Carosello Restaurant inspired by Puglian tradition. such as an outdoor exercise area and a Roman-inspired swimming pool, a mini spa and a nine-hole golf course. A shuttle transports guests to the hotel’s own stylish beach club.
This five-star hotel, built around a 16th-century farmhouse, provides family-friendly accommodation among the old olive groves between Fasano and the coast. From here, it’s a 15-minute bike ride to the Adriatic Coast where the hotel also has two private beach clubs. The limestone buildings of the original farm, complete with watchtower, have been sensitively adapted to now include elegant bedrooms, dining and drinking areas, and a spa that now occupies underground caves that were once used as olive mill. There are many activities here, including horse riding, cooking classes and yoga. The family-run masseria hotel is also set within stunning gardens with an inviting swimming pool.
There are only eight suites serving guests in this intimate hotel turned farm among olive groves just north of the small town of Surbo. The renovation of this property ensured that many of the original design details of this heritage site were preserved, with the modernization of this space then seen through the integration of glass walls, colorful rugs and finishing touches such as coffee table books and Moroccan cushions. Up to six walled gardens comprise these cultivated grounds with hundreds of orange and lemon trees. Traditional Puglian dishes are cooked in the hotel kitchen and time can be spent lounging on the daybeds by the pool.
Taking over a 15th-century masseria near the small fishing town of Savelletri, this five-star retreat is set among palm-shaded gardens in one of several stylish Puglian country hotels owned by the Melpignano family. Here, there is a collection of indoor and outdoor restaurants, a wellness center specializing in Thalassotherapy, tennis courts and, many say the highlight of this property, a huge ocean lagoon swimming pool. There are two private beaches, one rocky and the other sandy, nearby with a shuttle available during the summer months.
The centuries-old farmhouse now the home of Masseria Il Frantoio is found within a vast area of olive groves and poppy fields northwest of the hill town of Ostuni and three miles from the sea. Beyond the courtyard of the 500-year-old farmhouse where bougainvillea pulls down white-washed walls, the historic buildings now reveal 16 characterful guest rooms, a vaulted dining room showcasing Puglian cooking and a swimming pool among ancient olive trees on the land The masseria has long produced its own olive oil and olive oil tastings are among the experiences offered on site, which also include cooking classes and bike tours.
Ancient Roman walls surround the buildings of this 18th-century masseria hotel looking across ancient olive groves to the Adriatic Sea in its setting near Savelletri di Fasano. There is a sense of timelessness as you enter the rustic retreat now decorated in rustic Mediterranean style. There are just 14 rooms to be seen throughout this former farmhouse, its tower and its outbuildings, each with rustic decor and farm objects as decorative touches, with the tower suite on the first floor offering views of the sea. Local fare is the focus at the masseria’s restaurant, which has a bar and lounge, and a small pool, with bike hire also available.
Nestled among olive groves at the end of winding tracks, Masseria Le Carrube feels particularly remote despite being within easy reach of the villages and towns of Valle d’Itria. The white-washed farmhouse, once used as an olive mill, has managed to retain its rustic charm, with design details such as a giant olive press among the reminders of the site’s history. The masseria’s vegetarian restaurant focuses on locally sourced and seasonal cuisine, with tasting menus available in the evening. This masseria has 19 rooms and suites, many with balconies and terraces overlooking the olive groves, and has bicycles to borrow and two swimming pools.
A masseria from the 16th century containing a quartet of trulli typical of this region, Cervarolo is a charm-filled rural hideaway in the verdant Puglia Valle d’Itria, near Ostuni. The soul of this architecturally significant site has been preserved through its transformation into a boutique hotel. Of the 17 rooms and suites, the traditional-meets-contemporary rooms of this retreat are in the main house, along with some of the junior rooms that also have a terrace or balcony, while the other rooms dominate the site’s trulli. The restaurant takes over the lamia of the masseria and the bar is found by the swimming pool, which is located in a natural sinkhole of the terraced gardens.
This former masseria brings guests closer to urban life and is located on the edge of the historic center of Lecce. The resort pays tribute to the past and present of Puglia with contemporary art and designer furnishings decorating the 18th century setting. A walled olive grove with an outdoor pool surrounds the guest house. A lounge, restaurant and art-filled garden terrace then join the accommodation offering, which includes 16 sophisticated rooms and suites. The hotel’s private art gallery and sculpture garden are just a few minutes’ walk away. The main tourist sites of this city are also within easy reach.
As the name suggests, this masseria hotel combines a rural option with winemaking. The ancient farmhouse and manor house, as well as a church, stables and other outbuildings, are set within approximately 170 hectares of land consisting mostly of vineyards on a plateau providing views over the Gulf of Taranto. Each of the buildings has been converted by a local architect with a minimal approach and use of the natural materials of the land. The family resort has 18 spacious rooms and suites as well as a restaurant that draws inspiration from the tradition of the masseria. Vineyard-based experiences include tastings and scenic tours.
Contributions from Clare Speak, Paula Hardy, Hayley Lewis & Jade Conroy
