“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. ”
“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. ”
Hotel Review
Armando Balestrazzi’s ‘crazy’ idea to leave stressed corporate life in Bari and move to the country resulted in the wonderful Masseria Il Frantoio, a 500 year old farm with a genuine, country feel - a rustic rural comfortable hotel with an excellent restaurant with a daily 8 course tasting menu. An extraordinary collection of furniture, objéts and memorabilia fills public spaces and the rooms are all different and have been cleverly incorporated into the main house and existing farm buildings, many of them are vaulted - all offer air conditioning and rustic antique cupboards and chest of drawers depending on the layout of the room.
The bourganvillea filled inner courtyard is the hub of the hotel with tables and chairs dotted around under large umbrellas and at night lit up with twinkling fairy lights. It’s impossible to resist an aperitif with home grown almonds and olives before approaching dinner served in the courtyard on balmy nights or the restaurant, at 8.30 on the dot ! The ever changing menu, inspired by the ethos of farm to table, is hearty and washed down with copious quantities of the local wine which is included. Enjoy recipes such as zucchini dressed with black chick peas, pizzelle fried bread and pomodore sauce, many of them passed down from generation to generation. To round it off, don’t forget to sample one of the Masseria’s home made ‘digestifs’.
The large pool is set amongst the thousand year old olive trees, no pool service but an honesty bar set in a sweet Wendy house. It’s all very low key but at the same time well thought out attracting a mixed clientele of all ages and nationalities.
Written by Hugh Graham-Watson
Recommended For
- Foodies
- Members of the slow food movement the kitchen, under Rosalba, create extraordianry cuisine from simple home grown ingrediants.
- Romantic Break
- Chic rooms with wisteria swathed stairways, enchanting interiors and antique furnishings are the epitome of fairytale romance.
- Tennis
- Make the most of the nearby tennis courts and work up an appetite for dinner.
- Other Activities
- Spend a day on the beaches of the Ostuni coast just a few minutes drive away.
- Watersports
- Beaches with ideal conditions for kite and windsurfing are just minutes away.
- Golf
- The villa is just a few minutes from a world class golf course.
- Great walks
- Meander through olive trees on walking trials from the hotel.
- Child friendly
- Babysitting and childrens playground available
- Family Suites
- Sit-out Terrace
- Full of character
- Good wine list
- Quiet
- Gourmet
- Free wifi
- Luxury
- Charming
- Traditional
- Beach nearby
- Farmhouse
- Restaurant
Facilities
- Child friendly
- Babysitting and childrens playground available
- Parking
- Free parking
- Library
- Bar
- Bicycles available
- Fireplace
- Outdoor dining
- Meeting Room
- Cots available
- Massage
- Air conditioning
- Sit-out Terrace
- Good wine list
- Family Suites
- Free wifi
- Wifi
- Room service
- Sitting Room
- Garden
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
Activities
- Tennis
- Make the most of the nearby tennis courts and work up an appetite for dinner.
- Other Activities
- Spend a day on the beaches of the Ostuni coast just a few minutes drive away.
- Watersports
- Beaches with ideal conditions for kite and windsurfing are just minutes away.
- Golf
- The villa is just a few minutes from a world class golf course.
- Great walks
- Meander through olive trees on walking trials from the hotel.
Map & Location
What's Nearby
Other Reviews
A slow travellers' guide to Italy
"The visitors' quarter is a series of beautiful rooms, ranging from fairytale with lace and toile to formal with antique armoires and gilt-framed art. It is a gloriously eclectic mix."
Originally published by The Guardian (view article)
