Southern Italy: A Stay at Masseria Potenti in Puglia

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If this is your first time on The Weithouse - welcome! My name is Taylor and I’m the girl behind the screen and camera bringing you resources to help you plan the trip of your dreams.

In January of 2022, my husband and I left our home in Atlanta, packed our bags and moved to Paris! Every day we wake up in disbelief that we get to call this incredible city our home, a city full of rich history, world-renowned food, and beauty hidden around every corner.

In this Masseria Potenti Review, I’m sharing our experience of staying at the beautiful family-owned masseria of Masseria Potenti in Puglia, Italy.

where to stay in puglia

I initially began planning a trip to Puglia simply based on the beautiful hotels and accommodations I had discovered in the region. Their soft, white, light and airy designs drew me into the region in a way that I knew I had to discover.

So when it finally came time to plan our trip to Puglia, I started with where I wanted to stay first. I knew I wanted to stay at one of the stunning masserie I had discovered in the region, like all of the ones I’ve included in this post.

why we chose masseria potenti

As I continued to research where to stay in Puglia, I ultimately decided on Masseria Potenti over some of the other properties because of the overall feeling of authenticity the property provided. Although many of the other Puglia hotels I was looking at had stunning architectural designs and spaces, I felt that they were going to give me less of the human experience I desire from my travels.

I was hesitant to book Masseria Potenti at first, as it looked slightly less curated than what I would usually look for in a hotel or accommodation, but I could tell from their website and Instagram that the owners poured their heart and Puglia lifestyle into this property in a way that I was curious to experience for myself.

A puglia holiday at masseria potenti

Similar to the Provencal region of France, part of the experience of traveling to Puglia is soaking up all of the sunshine and nature the Mediterranean region has to offer. Of course there are always villages to jet off to and beaches to discover, but there is also the beauty of relaxing under the sun’s warmth, smelling the fragrance of the fig tree and enjoying a glass of wine with your favorite book.

At Masseria Potenti, you can fully immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the region, as you enjoy the protection of the fortress-like walls all around you, the nature of the endless rows of olive trees, and the intimate interactions you’ll have with the staff and other guests staying at the property. You can deepen this immersion by requesting one of the activities available onsite, such as taking a cooking class, an organized stroll in the countryside, yoga events or a wine and olive oil tasting.

The masseria

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 arriving for vacation 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.

The property itself maintains the feeling of an 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 Puglia 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.

The room

A close tie with our stay at Le Galinier Villa in Lourmarin, France, our suite at Masseria Potenti is one of the most beautiful spaces I’ve ever had the chance to sleep in. When booking our travels, I had no idea just how vast and private our suite would be, and upon entering the exterior door I was overwhelmed by the space.

The domed ceilings of the bedroom and bathroom made it feel like I had just stepped into a sacred space, outfitted with white-washed walls, white and cream linens and soft natural details scattered throughout the room.

The most stunning area of the suite was still yet to be discovered as I wandered my way into the large on-suite bathroom, featuring two toilets, two sinks, a huge bathtub overlooking our private courtyard and a stunning walk in shower, that was the canvas for the long Puglian light and shadows dancing through the bathroom window.

Both the sleeping area and the bathroom immediately washed me in a sense of calm, and over the next few days, we thoroughly enjoyed soaking up as much as possible of this relaxing, tranquil space.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Puglia that will provide peace from the chaos of your life, or feels soft, private and romantic, the suites at Masseria Potenti will wrap you in their tranquil charm.

All rooms at Masseria Potenti benefit from exclusive privacy and include a living room, fireplace, air conditioning, mini-bar, and a private garden. You can find details on the types of suites offered and book your private suite on their website here.

The food

Meal times are when Masseria Potenti comes to life, as all the guests gather in a singular place to enjoy a local breakfast, fresh lunch or string-lit dinner under the fig tree.

Breakfast was an event of endless Italian cakes and fruit, and I especially enjoyed the green figs that were available when we visited during June. You can get any of your Italian espresso drinks or juices and enjoy your leisurely morning surrounded by the soft glow of the Puglia sun.

At dinner, guests gather in the outdoor eating area for a traditional Puglia meal, where you can order traditional dishes from the seasonal menu. It’s a great place to enjoy the company of your fellow travelers and to people watch the other staying guests. The menu items are all farm to table, with ingredients either coming from within the walls of the masseria itself or from the surrounding landscape.

During our stay, we had the privilege of taking a cooking class with Maria Grazia, where we learned how to make orecchiette pasta with cold appetizers made from the summer harvest. We then consumed this delicious meal for lunch one afternoon in the large dining hall of the masseria.

what’s nearby

Masseria Potenti is located in Manduria, a region of Puglia facing the Ionian Sea. Although its opposite of more famous areas of Puglia, such as Polignano a Mare and Ostuni, you can still easily access all of the Puglia region from the Masseria. Not that you’ll want to leave the Masseria’s walls once you’re inside.

During our stay at Masseria Potenti, we drove to the ceramic town of Grottaglie (a 38-minute drive), and then drove to the beach and Ostuni before heading back to the Masseria. It’s a 56-minute drive from Ostuni to Masseria Potenti, and you can access the majority of the Puglia region under an hour from the Masseria.

You can read about our complete Puglia itinerary here.

STICK AROUND FOR A WHILE

Need help planning the rest of your trip to Puglia?

Be sure to discover our other Puglia resources, like our lists of the Best Airbnbs in Puglia and the Most Beautiful Hotels in Puglia. You can also discover all of our Italian travel resources here.

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