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Ancient olive groves, a restored farmhouse, beach-club lunches and some of Puglia’s prettiest towns – Sally Stileman finds plenty to love at Masseria Torre Maizza.

Eden original

Words by SALLY STILEMAN | TRAVEL DIRECTOR

MASSERIA TORRE MAIZZA, A ROCCO FORTE HOTEL

PUGLIA, ITALY

“Masseria Torre Maizza sits near Savelletri, more or less midway between Bari and Brindisi, right down in the heel of Italy in the Apulia region. Originally a 16th-century fortified farmhouse, it has been carefully restored and is now part of Rocco Forte Hotels, surrounded by centuries-old olive groves. Puglia itself is a big part of the pull – olive oil and wine, a long stretch of coastline, traditional masserie and a string of historic towns. And we were lucky enough to see a little of it during the trip too, including Alberobello and Polignano a Mare. But what stayed with me most about Masseria Torre Maizza was how peaceful and serene the whole place felt.

Choose Your Gateway

Almost equidistant from Bari and Brindisi airports, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to your flights. I flew into Bari with easyJet – BA and Ryanair serve it too, from both Manchester and London – and it’s a small, easy airport to get out of, with the transfer coming in at just under an hour. Other members of our group came via Brindisi and had much the same experience, so book whichever suits your needs best.

Once you’re there, the hotel can arrange tours of the nearby villages, which are a lovely way to get your bearings and get a real insight into what Puglia is about. We did our first tour on golf carts, which was great fun – and really handy on what was a boiling hot day – especially as there were plenty of steep slopes to contend with, so that’s a great choice for anyone who finds a lot of walking tricky. Or, for the more adventurous, you can do them on Segways too.

Estate of Grace

The Masseria has been carefully restored without losing any of the character that makes it all feel so rooted in Puglia. Old stone walls, original architecture and the surrounding olive groves have all been retained, while the interiors and facilities bring in the level of luxury you’d expect from Rocco Forte. It’s a tricky balance to strike, but they’ve managed it really well. The hotel still feels relaxed and brimming with history without ever feeling basic or rustic, and the service was top-notch throughout.

The 51 rooms and suites are spread over several buildings within the estate, which gives the whole place a more private, intimate feel. The interiors have whitewashed walls inspired by traditional Puglian buildings, handcrafted ceramics from local artisans and individual furnishings, some with a white and blue palette, and others using warmer, rusty red and white tones. One thing worth noting if you enjoy a relaxing bath at the end of the day: the standard rooms only have showers, so if a tub is a non-negotiable, book a Junior Suite or above. There are also a few special suites that would be fantastic for a honeymoon or big anniversary – the Tower Suite among them – though that’s reached by some steep steps, which could be a deal-breaker if stairs are a challenge.

Borgo degli Ulivi

Most of our group stayed in Borgo degli Ulivi, a newer wing added in 2025 with 11 luxury rooms and suites. Many of them connect, the corner suites come with huge private plunge pools, and the whole area can be taken as a single villa for larger families or groups travelling together too.

When it comes to families, children are more than welcome, but the mood is so calm and serene that I’d hesitate to bring very young ones. It’s a grown-up sort of peace, and personally I think Masseria Torre Maizza is better suited to adults or families with older children. It’s also quite particular when it comes to family accommodation. Even with all the space available, rather than using rollaways or sofa beds, families generally stay in connecting accommodation – what the hotel calls a Family Room, made up of two connecting rooms or suites.

Stable Fare

The focus at the Masseria is firmly on Puglian cooking and locally sourced ingredients, and the food and service were excellent. Carosello is the main restaurant here, serving breakfast and dinner in the former stables, surrounded by the bougainvillea you see throughout the property.

During the day, Violetta by the pool serves light lunches and snacks and there’s also the Bougainvillea Bar with its outdoor terrace, as well as a beautiful rooftop bar.

Grounds for Escape

One thing that really stood out to me was how popular Lido Bambù was with guests. The hotel’s private beach club sits on the Adriatic coast near Capitolo, with a complimentary shuttle that runs daily from 10am and then approximately every 45 minutes thereafter. It’s a really spacious spot, with reserved loungers and umbrellas, private cabanas, changing rooms and showers, direct access to the sea and watersports including paddleboarding. On selected evenings there’s live music and a sunset aperitivo, and four-legged guests are welcome too. The beach club also has its own restaurant, serving fresh seafood, Puglian dishes, salads, light lunches and cocktails under a shaded pergola looking out to sea. We had lunch here and everything was delicious!

Back at the resort, the main pool is heated, as are all the private plunge pools, and sits among landscaped gardens, colourful bougainvillea, cabanas and loungers. It doesn’t usually open until 10am each day because access is gated, but if you do fancy an early dip, you only have to ask. For golfers, there’s a nine-hole executive course running through the ancient olive groves with views towards the Adriatic and practice facilities for different levels, plus horse riding, sailing, yoga, watersports, bikes for hire and a range of culinary experiences. When it comes to the Irene Forte Spa, it may have just two treatment rooms, but that’s plenty for a hotel of this size and there’s a good-sized gym with modern equipment too.

Trulli Wonderful

This region offers plenty of local exploration, so hiring a car is a great idea if you want the freedom to get around independently. We visited Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its trulli – those distinctive little houses with cone-shaped roofs – and Polignano a Mare, which sits dramatically on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic.

Both were really charming, but Polignano a Mare – one of the most photographed places in southern Italy – is particularly special, with its historic centre, coastal scenery and collection of sea caves – each with its own personality, its own light and its own legend – and well worth seeing by boat. There’s plenty more within easy reach too: Ostuni, the “White City”, with its narrow streets and views across the olive groves; the harbour town of Monopoli; Locorotondo and Martina Franca in the Valle d’Itria; and the underground chambers of the Castellana Caves. And, this being Puglia, there are plenty of opportunities for olive oil tastings, vineyard tours and cooking experiences too.

Final Thoughts

For me, Masseria Torre Maizza is best suited to adults, couples and families with older children. It has such a calm, relaxed feel that I think it works particularly well for anyone who wants somewhere luxurious and peaceful, with plenty of time to simply take things slowly. I’d say four or five nights is ideal, although you could easily stay for a week and use the hotel as a base for exploring even more of Puglia. A couple of the guests I met during our stay were including Masseria Torre Maizza as part of a longer trip around Italy, and both told me it was their favourite hotel. After staying there myself, I can understand why.”

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