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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.
Foodies
Romantic Break
Tennis
Other Activities
Watersports
Golf
Great walks
Child friendly
Family Suites
Sit-out Terrace
Full of character
Good wine list
Quiet
Gourmet
Free wifi
Luxury
Charming
Traditional
Beach nearby
Farmhouse
Restaurant
Rooms
16 rooms in this hotelChild friendly
Babysitting and childrens playground availableParking
Free parkingLibrary
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
Tennis
Other Activities
Watersports
Golf
Great walks
"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
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