The fertile countryside of Italy's heel is largely flat and characterised by olive trees with huge, gnarled trunks, rich red soil, fields planted with tomatoes and artichokes, dry stone walls and a sense of endless space and far-reaching horizons. This is the place to come to if you want all the charm of Tuscany but with fewer crowds and more reasonably priced accommodation. The best hotels in rural Puglia tend to be converted masseria (farmhouses). These properties range from five-star hotels with swanky spas, gourmet restaurants and high-end services to relatively modest guest houses offering a back to nature experience and homely food. Our hotel experts have compiled a collection of their favourites in the region. With something for most tastes and budgets, why not browse through our collection to start planning your next getaway?
Monopoli
A five star family-run hotel with a delightful down-to-earth atmosphere. Renovated 16th century farmhouse with sprawling Moorish outbuildings and flower-filled courtyards, terraces, big pool and tennis courts. Charming rooms in florals, tiled floors and fireplaces. Excellent spa and beach club too.
Savelletri
One of Puglia’s best hotels offering a luxurious spa and golf course. Rooms and fabulous suites decorated with romance - white washed walls and rich drapes, some have private gardens, hot tubs and balconies. Fantastic selection of restaurants and stunning salt water pool. A heavenly spot.
Martina Franca
Five star country villa with great location for touring cultural sights and beaches. A peach-hued building surrounded by lovely gardens. Beautiful suites in elegant pastels with antique furniture. Excellent restaurant, spa and pool. A spoiling spot to explore Puglia from.
Savelletri
Rustic-chic and a laid-back atmosphere on an 18-hole golf course. Rough white walls, grey paintwork and candlelit rooms adorn this former Roman villa. Breakfast and superb set dinners are served on a covered terrace. A great choice for those who want understated luxury.
Ostuni (Brindisi)
Justly famous masseria with wonderful food and a vaguely eccentric air. Pretty bedrooms with white washed walls surround a bougainvillea-filled courtyards. Organic produce from the farm and olive grove is used in fabulous multi-course meals. A divine gourmet rustic retreat close to the beach.
Otranto
Relaxed retreat with a contemporary twist surrounded by olive trees, vines and date palms. Sophisticated, airy white on white rooms with cool flagstone floors, delicate wrought iron beds, Pugliese embroidery and Moroccan lamps. Lovely pool, local food and stunning surrounding farmland.
Savelletri
An elegantly restored historic fortified farmhouse, minutes from the sea. Wonderful rooms and suites with rough white washed walls, fine linens and silks - one suite occupies a cave and has its own olive grove and pool. Fabulous regional cuisine, Aveda spa and its very own private beach club.
Fasano
Sophisticated, contemporary hotel with a young, hip vibe. Smart contemporary bedrooms, some with open fires and private pools. Wonderful courtyard bar with Balinese sofas and excellent restaurant overlooking the pool. Irene Forte spa, golf course and private beach clubs.
Fasano
Simple yet stylish masseria on historic olive-growing estate. An ochre painted farmhouse with delightfully rustic rooms - bare stone, wood, wrought iron and earthy tones. The restaurant serves local produce and within the walled gardens sit citrus groves, a pool, hot tub and shady terraces.
Puglia
Laidback brick Masseria in a beautiful walled garden close to the sea. Rooms with an ethnic slant - kilims, colourful bedspreads, whitewashed walls and stone vaulted ceilings. A lovely shady pool and lounge area. A great beach spot.
Nardò
Contemporary design in an old shell within easy reach of charming Gallipoli and its lovely beaches. Original features complement contemporary furniture and ethnic textiles. Lovely courtyard garden and swimming pool for relaxing in, and superb breakfasts and dinners on private patios.
Ostuni (Ostuni)
This boutique hotel is set in a refurbished seventeenth-century farmhouse in beautiful Apulian countryside. Antique furnishings in simple but luxurious rooms add even more charm, and it has its own olive groves producing extra virgin oil. The perfect place to unwind.
Otranto
Stylish farmhouse conversion surrounded by olive trees and stunning scenery. Rooms are dotted round the grounds & offer classic country style with vaulted stone ceilings and four poster beds. The restaurant serves Italian dishes on the outdoor terrace. Perfect for both beaches & sightseeing.
Puglia (Pezze di Greco (Brindisi) )
A simply gorgeous rural property set in picturesque countryside surrounded by olive groves. Rustic chic throughout with uneven white washed walls and exposed beams. Whimsical rooms are full of character with exposed stone, floating white linen curtains and antiques. Rural Italy at its best.
Puglia (Puglia)
A chic converted Masseria set in the picturesque rural landscapes of Puglia. White washed rooms, uneven walls and well placed ornaments all lend an air of rural-cool. A good sized pool, fantastic restaurant (serving regional produce) and easy access to Puglia's sights make this a fantastic stay.
Puglia (Puglia)
An elegant masseria conversion just north of Otranto. Seventeen individually designed suites offer chic minimalist accommodation, and all come with either a private terrace or garden. Large outdoor pool, excellent restaurant specialising in Salento cuisine, and just steps from the beach.
Puglia
Once a traditional farmhouse this beautiful Trulli now offers guests a slice of contemporary Italy in a picturesque rural setting. Rooms see chic contemporary furniture perfectly set amongst the building's original features. The spa and excellent Mediterranean restaurant make this an alluring pick.
Puglia
A traditional masseria set within its own winery which has been carefully renovated to create the ultimate chic rural escape. Smart rooms are minimalist and contemporary with large floor to ceiling windows to take in the views. The cuisine is superb and wine selection (unsurprisingly) very good.
Puglia (Salento)
This hotel is nestled within an Apulian ‘masseria’, a historic limestone farmhouse located in Oria, surrounded by acres of olive groves, almond and palm trees. The beautifully appointed guestrooms incorporate exposed walls and stone arches to create a Mediterranean-inflected approach to rustic-chic.
Puglia (Puglia)
A stunning little hotel in the depths of southern Puglia. Its rooms and suites have been done in a contemporary chic style, plus you'll find a sleek pool and superb sports facilities on site. There's an excellent restaurant championing seasonal local cuisine and sister property for fine dining.
Puglia (Puglia)
An adults-only hideaway and retreat venue on Puglia's west coast whose ethos is centred around sustainability and relaxation. Four rooms and two suites offer a simple, rustic-chic minimalist vibe, plus there's a garden and vegetarian meals on request. Just a 15-minute stroll from the beach.
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