Southern Italy: The Most Beautiful Hotels in Puglia
Masseria Potenti
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Puglia hotels
Puglia is a region in Southern Italy and occupies the area that is the “heel of the boot.” The region is made up of a Mediterranean landscape, and sits on a peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, lined with almost 500 miles (800km) of coastline.
This coastline is dotted full of secret beaches frequented by locals and travelers from the North, and the inland of Puglia is a landscape of endless olive trees.
Amongst these Puglian olive trees you can find some of the most beautiful designer hotels in the world, from ancient Masserie (farmhouses) that have been restored to modern designs with inspiration from the past.
Regardless of whether you choose the ancient or the modern, the roundup of beautiful Puglia hotels below are sure to bring you a vacation full of Italian design, stunning light and nature-filled relaxation.
Where we stayed in puglia
During a portion of our travels to Puglia, we had the joy of staying at the family owned Masseria Potenti. Although not a secret Puglian spot by any means (they have over 100K followers on Instagram) I chose this particular masseria over some of the other hotels listed below because I wanted to experience the authentic more than the curated.
Masseria Potenti is a traditional masseria, or farm house, that sits on about 130 hectares of farm land which has been settled since the late eleventh century.
Today, the masseria is owned and run by family members Maria Grazia, Paolo, Chiara and Walter, who initially purchased the property for personal reasons and have since opened it to the public.
Staying at Masseria Potenti feels like staying at a family member’s house, as you discover all of the hidden corners of the masseria, while enjoying the privacy of your own beautiful suite.
At dinner, all guests gather in the outdoor eating area for a traditional Puglian meal under the sprawling fig tree. During the day, guests gather around the singular swimming pool, or head off to various beaches in the area. During our stay, we had the privilege of taking a cooking class with Maria Grazia, where we learned how to make orecchiette pasta and make the most of the summer harvest.
The property itself maintains the feeling of ancient fortress, covered in the bright colorful love that Maria Grazia and family have poured into the space. As you wander amongst its walls, you’ll discover nature in abundance, the various collections of Puglian ceramics and linens and knickknacks that are stored throughout the masseria and a staff that is ready to shower you with all of the Italian love your heart can receive.
(Images from our stay at Masseria Potenti in Puglia)
Except for the images of Masseria Potenti, all photos in the remainder of this post are from the hotel or booking.com websites and are not my own.
✤ - this symbol next to a hotel in any post on The Weithouse means we have personally stayed at the hotel.
From the Reviews: Borgo Gallana is an absolute MUST for everyone who loves architecture, design and elegant minimalism. The three beautifully designed and furnished houses are located in the heart of the Puglia countryside, surrounded by olive trees. Great location and base for trips to charming towns nearby. The team, especially the owner Giuseppe, always recommends the best local spots. It's a perfect place for rest in any configuration: for a couple, for family with kids or for friends. Definitely our favourite place in Puglia, can't wait to be back !
Google Rating: 5/5.0 (30 Reviews)
Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)
Why this is one of the most beautiful hotels in Puglia: For Borgo Gallana’s stunning modern Puglian design combined with simple interiors from the past.
From the Reviews: I have been traveling the world for decades. It was the most beautiful place I have ever visited. You think you're living a dream, and when you wake up, the reality is even more magical and transcendent. The staff is both discreet and paradoxically always in the right place at the right time. The place of discreet luxury fills you with what is not seen and allows you to settle down in complete peace. A timeless experience that we would like to last forever.
Booking.com Rating: 10/10 (13 reviews)
Price: $$$$ ($300-$400 USD/night)
Why this is one of the most beautiful hotels in Puglia: For Masseria Tarsia Morisco’s timeless interiors and tranquil elegance in the heart of Puglia.
(✤) Masseria Potenti
From the Reviews: More than just a masseria, It’s a unique experience. It was my wife’s dream to visit this fabulous place. One week after returning she is still on a cloud and kissing the vibes, the elegance, refinement, kindness, authenticity, & the beauty of the masseria. On top of that, the restaurant is heavenly. We visited another place on bari but it appeared so bland after this fairytale stay. Big kisses to Chiara & her team who spread love all over their magical paradise.
Google Rating: 4.5/5.0 (600 reviews)
Price: $$$$ ($300-$400 USD/night)
Why this is one of the most beautiful hotels in Puglia: For Masseria Potenti’s enchanting family atmosphere combined with the hundreds of years of history of the masseria.
From the Reviews: An incredible gem in beautiful Puglia!! We had the opportunity to spend a week at this stunning Palazzo, in the cute village of Neviano. We were welcomed by the lovely host Elisabetta who is from the area, who was always very attentive and helpful throughout our trip. The pictures don't do justice for how beautiful this townhouse really is. They have really managed to keep the essence of what a typical Palazzo should be like while restoring it tastefully and comfortably. Our favorite part of the Palazzo were all the amazing different chill out areas spread out across the house. The location is also ideal, within easy access to both coastlines as well as the more vibrant city of Lecce. I would definitely recommend this property 100% for anyone wanting to explore this fantastic region of Italy.
Google Rating: 5/5.0 (7 Reviews)
Price: $$$$ ($300-$400 USD/night)
Why Palazzo Nianu is one of the most beautiful hotels in Puglia: For the intentional preservation of this stunning Puglian building in Salerno, Italy.
From the Reviews: I love staying in beautifully designed hotels and this Masseria is really beautiful. Starting with the great location, in the middle of the olive trees, the tasteful rooms, the great pool and the breakfast, where the eye also eats. The owners are nice and attentive. You have a great view of Ostuni. Definitely a very pretty hotel.
TripAdvisor Rating: 5.0/5.0 (29 Reviews)
Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)
Why Masseria Dagilupi is one of the most beautiful hotels in Puglia: For its small capacity, intimacy and peaceful environment.
From the Reviews: Everything about our stay was perfect. Masseria Calderisi is stunning, it’s truly magical. We stayed in one of the Garden suites which was spacious and had its own private garden out the front. There were Aesop toiletries which were a lovely touch! The food and service was absolutely exceptional, we loved every meal we had. For breakfast there is an extensive buffet and the option to order eggs and pancakes etc. There is a shuttle service which takes you to and from the private section of beach which the Masseria own on a lovely sandy beach, 10 mins away. There is a pizzeria there for lunch and drinks and great music. We can’t wait to come back soon and tell our friends and family! Grazie Mille !
Booking.com Rating: 9.6/10 (71 reviews)
Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)
Why Masseria Calderisi is one of the most beautiful hotels in Puglia: For its large suites and colorful interior design.
From the Reviews: I adored this Palazzo. I loved that the restoration allowed the original building and grounds to shine through and these were still able to be experienced and appreciated. We stayed in the room with the amazing shower, frescoes on our ceiling and a lemon tree outside our window. I also loved the linen sheets on our bed and the beautiful bed coverings. It was such a privilege to stay and have time to experience this beautiful, old building and its garden. Simply magic.
Booking.com Rating: 9.3/10 (100 reviews)
Price: $$$$$ ($400+ USD/night)
Why Palazzo Daniele is one of the most beautiful hotels in Puglia: For its grand and historic architecture and uniquely designed rooms and bathrooms.
DIDN’T FIND YOUR ideal PLACE TO STAY IN PUGLIA?
If none of these Puglia Hotels fit the bill, then be sure to check out our roundup of the best Airbnbs in Puglia.
STICK AROUND FOR A WHILE
Need help planning the rest of your trip to Italy?
If you’re visiting Puglia as part of a larger trip through Italy, be sure to check out some of our other Italy Travel Guides, like this guide to Rome, this guide to Florence (or our favorite Airbnbs in the city), this guide to Venice or this guide to Positano.
FOLLOW ALONG
For all of our live travel content and behind-the-scenes, be sure to follow us on social media. You’ll get to see what our life looks like as expats and virtually come along with us whenever we are exploring somewhere new.
In this Airbnb roundup, we’re sharing our curated list of the best Airbnb rentals to book for your next holiday in Puglia. Our list includes the most beautiful Airbnb properties across the Puglia region, from apartments to rent in Polignano a Mare to Puglia vacation rentals with a pool in the Vallée d'Itria.