At the heel of Italy lie fabulously exotic ‘masserie’: historic estates that transform Arabic, Greek and Spanish influences into distinctive local architecture. These hacienda-like farmhouses date from the 16th to the 18th century and are traditionally painted in dazzling white. They feature stately mansions decorated with vaulted stone halls and porches, private chapels, farm buildings and sometimes ‘trulli’ with cone roofs, opening onto airy courtyards. . Some grew up around ancient watchtowers on the coast overlooking the Seraphic Sea; others were fortified and lined with vineyards, arable lands, almond, olive and lemon groves.
Today, many have been converted into agriturismi, hotels or resorts where the passage of time is marked as ‘adagio’ and where people and nature still dialogue in harmony. Styles range from understated, rustic to uber-chic designer hotels, complete with landscaped gardens, pools, spas and gourmet restaurants, yet the sustainable ethos and convivial spirit of their origins linger. Here is our selection of the best masseria hotels in Apulia.
How we assess
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, usually hosted free of charge. They stay 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 to offer.
This sun-drenched, whitewashed, modern masseria is set in a landscape of centuries-old olive groves overlooking Ostuni and the Adriatic Sea. This boutique hotel offers a contemporary take on the traditional masseria, with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors alongside the original arches and whitewashed walls. The interior is rustic and minimalist in style, with design accents such as oriental rugs and aged wood furniture. All this provides the relaxed, bohemian setting for a stylish stay in one of four double rooms or two suites, which are connected by a communal dining area, bright lounge, gym, spa and outdoor pool.
Masseria Torre Maizza is a charming member of the Rocco Forte hotel collection, combining the authenticity and character of the historic, rural setting with the contemporary luxury of this hotel group. Within historic walls distinguished by original features such as a medieval tower and impressive arches, highlights of this Puglia retreat include traditional and contemporary rooms and suites, the Bougainvillea Bar, a pool bar and the Carosello Restaurant, inspired by the tradition of Puglia, as well as an open-air gym and a Roman-inspired swimming pool, a small spa and a nine-hole golf course. A shuttle takes guests to the hotel’s stylish beach club.
Built around a 16th-century farmhouse, this 5-star hotel offers a family-friendly stay amid centuries-old olive groves between Fasano and the coast. From here it is a 15-minute cycle to the Adriatic coast, where the hotel also has two private beach clubs. The limestone buildings of the original farmhouse, complete with lookout tower, have been carefully adapted to now include chic bedrooms, food and beverage outlets and a spa that now occupies underground caverns formerly used for an olive mill. There are plenty of activities here, including horse riding, cooking classes and yoga. The family-run masseria hotel is set amid idyllic gardens which also include an inviting swimming pool.
Just eight suites accommodate guests in this intimate converted farmhouse, set among olive groves, just north of the town of Surbo. The restoration of this property preserved the many original design details of this heritage site, with the modernization of this space subsequently seen through the incorporation of glass walls, colorful carpets and finishes such as coffee table books and Moroccan cushions. No fewer than six walled gardens span this site with hundreds of orange and lemon trees. Traditional Puglia dishes are prepared in the hotel’s kitchen and you can spend your time on the sunbeds by the pool.
Set amid palm-shaded gardens, this five-star resort takes over a 15th-century masseria near the small fishing village of Savelletri and is one of many stylish countryside hotels in Puglia owned by the Melpignano family. Here, 40 classically decorated rooms and suites are joined by a collection of indoor and outdoor restaurants, a wellness center specializing in thalassotherapy, tennis courts and, according to many, a highlight of this property, a huge seawater lagoon pool. There are two private beaches, one rocky and the other sandy, nearby. A shuttle service is available during the summer months.
The centuries-old farmhouse that now houses Masseria Il Frantoio is set amid a vast expanse of olive groves and poppy fields northwest of the hill town of Ostuni and five kilometers from the sea. Beyond the courtyard of the 500-year-old farmhouse, where bougainvillea drapes whitewashed walls, the historic buildings now reveal 16 characterful guest rooms, a vaulted dining room showcasing Puglian cuisine and a swimming pool set among the ground’s centuries-old olive trees. The masseria has long produced its own olive oil and olive oil tasting is among the experiences offered on site, which also include cooking classes and bike tours.
Ancient Roman walls surround the 18th-century buildings of this masseria hotel with views over centuries-old olive groves to the Adriatic Sea, near Savelletri di Fasano. A sense of timelessness is felt as you step into the rural retreat which has now been decorated in a rustic Mediterranean style. There are just 14 rooms in this former farmhouse, the tower and associated buildings, all with rustic décor and farm objects as decorative accents, with the first floor tower suite offering views of the sea. Local dishes take center stage in the masseria’s restaurant, which is accompanied by a bar and lounge, and a small swimming pool, where bicycles can also be rented.
Set among olive groves at the end of a winding path, Masseria Le Carrube feels particularly remote, despite being within easy reach of the villages and towns of Valle d’Itria. Once used as an olive mill, the whitewashed farmhouse has managed to retain its rustic charm, with design details such as a giant olive press recalling the site’s past. The masseria’s vegetarian restaurant focuses on local and seasonal dishes. Tasting menus are served in the evening. This masseria has 19 rooms and suites, many with balconies and terraces overlooking the olive groves, as well as bicycles to borrow and two swimming pools.
Cervarolo is a 16th-century masseria with a quartet of the region’s characteristic trulli. It is a rural retreat full of charm in the green Valle d’Itria in Puglia, near Ostuni. The soul of this architecturally impressive location has been preserved through its transformation into a boutique hotel. Of the 17 rooms and suites, this retreat’s traditional and contemporary rooms are located in the main building, along with some junior suites that also have a terrace or balcony, while the remaining suites take over the site’s trulli. The restaurant takes over the lamia of the masseria and the bar is located by the pool, which is located in a natural sinkhole of the terraced gardens.
This former masseria places guests closer to city life thanks to its location on the edge of Lecce’s historic center. The resort pays tribute to both Puglia’s past and present with contemporary art and designer furnishings adorning the 18th-century site. A walled olive grove with outdoor swimming pool surrounds the inviting house. An art-filled sitting room, restaurant and garden terrace then join the accommodation offering, which includes 16 sophisticated rooms and suites. The hotel’s private art gallery is just a few minutes’ walk away and houses a sculpture garden. The main tourist attractions of this city are also within easy reach.
As the name suggests, this masseria hotel combines a rural resort with winemaking. The farmhouse and old manor house, plus a chapel, stables and other outbuildings, are set in approximately 170 hectares of land, largely composed of vineyards, on a plateau overlooking the Gulf of Taranto. Each of the buildings has been renovated by a local architect with a minimalist approach and use of the land’s natural materials. The family-run resort features 18 spacious rooms and suites and a restaurant inspired by the tradition of the masseria. Experiences around the vineyards include tastings and scenic tours.
Contributions from Clare Speak, Paula Hardy, Hayley Lewis and Jade Conroy