Masseria Montenapoleone

We recently enjoyed four nights at Masseria Montenapoleone. Everything is very spread out in this most beautiful and rural of settings, surrounded by wonderful olive and almond trees. This place is a great centre for exploring the wider area on the coast as well as the lovely villages further inland. None are particularly far away. Although our satnav struggled to find the place, but our troubles were soon forgotten on arrival at the imposing gates and the great welcome and tour of the facilities which followed. Our rooms were peacefully situated, with outside private space for relaxation and comfortably arranged inside. Breakfast was a stone's throw away and offered an excellent choice of continental and cooked eggs either inside or outside. The restaurant, located near the spectacular pool, offered good choices at reasonable prices and very friendly service. We were persuaded to take the barbecued steaks, which, although quite expensive, were a revelation in excellent quality meet and heartily recommended at least once. Although we had planned to small other restaurants in the area, so good was the food here that we dined every night at the hotel.

The hotel and experience is as good as stated in the reviews. If you have mobility issues though, please be aware that there are uneven cobblestones, rough patches of ground to walk on, and numerous stone steps. We brought walking sticks but it was still an effort to get around. For younger people with no issues the place is absolute heaven.

Booked this magnificent Masseria Montenapoleone after seeing it on Gino D'Acampo's tour down the Adriatic Coast. We brought our sat nav from the UK and this was essential to enable us to safely negotiate away from Bari or Brindisi Airports and find the Masseria. On arrival you are met by very imposing gates which swing open to reveal a long driveway through Olive Trees down to the Masseria reception. The welcome here far exceeds expectations especially when the lovely Mariangela smiles at you for the first time. After checking in we were given a complete tour of the Masseria by her before being taken to our room Rifugio in it's own private garden not far from the restaurant and salt water swimming pool. With temperatures approaching 30 c at the beginning of September it takes a while to adjust and the airconditionng of our room was very welcome. As the temperatures drop to around 20 c overnight you can leave your windows open at night since they have mosquito screens attached permanently. Local produce is used to decorate the Masseria with huge Prickly Pear Cactus leaves with fruit attached are hanging on the walls and in the restaurant large bunches of a special red tomato are hanging from the beams. Some of the produce is available to buy in reception especially the Olive Oil in carefully packaged tins suitable for your suitcase. There is plenty of shade around the restaurant where you can have a glass of Prosecco before indulging in a new dish every night from the fantastic menu. The Coppacollo with Mascarpone and a Fig Syrup Dressing is wonderful as is the Orrechietti with Prawns and a Beetroot Cream. There is a barbecue almost every night and the steaks are magnificent. A different menu is available for a light lunch. Wines are excellent otherwise they wouldn't be on the list and you must try Prima Pazzi a Primitivo Red made at the Masseria. The staff are all wonderful especially Ilaria, Laurenza and Vicenzo and nothing is too much trouble. I am so sorry that I cannot remember all of their names. Even Pina the beautiful restaurant cat will come and keep you company while you eat and surprise surprise she loves a bit of fillet steak. Breakfast is a real treat and I am surprised that I only put on 5 pounds in 14 days in Italy. Visiting the surrounding area of Alberobello (trulli houses), Cisternino (barbecueing butchers) and Ostuni the white city is easy from here by car and the Masseria is a great location for a wedding. We loved being at Masseria Montenapoleone and we are grateful to Giuliano for welcoming us into his home and lavishing such generous hospitality upon us.