Il Melograno

"We spent three nights at Masseria Il Melograno and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The hotel has managed to retain the character of an old Puglian masseria while providing the space and comforts you’d expect from a luxury hotel. The property’s history is part of its appeal. Il Melograno is a genuine 17th-century fortified masseria, built among the olive groves outside Monopoli. Masserie were working agricultural estates as well as homes, their substantial walls providing protection for the people and produce within. The central courtyard, thick whitewashed walls and low, sprawling layout at Il Melograno still give you a real sense of that earlier life. Interestingly, it is also said to have been the first masseria in Puglia to be converted into a luxury hotel, something that has since become almost synonymous with tourism in the region. The grounds were a particular highlight. The hotel is arranged around an attractive open courtyard with plenty of space to wander, a lovely outdoor pool with both natural shade and umbrellas, a spa and tennis and padel courts. Ancient olive trees are peppered throughout the property, many apparently more than 600 years old, linking the hotel to Puglia’s long agricultural tradition. The enormous tree that greets you in reception is quite possibly the largest olive tree I’ve ever seen. Our room was spacious and comfortable, with thoughtful touches including an espresso machine and beautifully aromatic bath products. What really stood out, though, was the service, and particularly Alessandra on the concierge team. She took a genuine and enthusiastic interest in making sure we enjoyed our stay and our time in Puglia. What I particularly appreciated was that her recommendations never felt driven by what would generate revenue for the hotel. She listened to what we were looking for and gave us honest suggestions that she thought would suit us, whether or not they involved the hotel. It’s a relatively small thing, but exactly the sort of approach that builds trust and makes excellent hospitality feel genuinely personal. A beautiful, characterful place to stay and an excellent base for exploring Monopoli and this part of Puglia."

"Visited for three nights with my partner. We wanted somewhere quieter and more relaxed - this was it. It's a gorgeous 17th century former farm spread across lots of land, and has many quiet nooks and peaceful spots. It's retained original features and furniture and feels authentic, but not dated. There aren't loads of rooms and other guests so it never felt crowded or busy. The facilities are good and there are plenty of things to do on site (gym, massages, tennis, cooking classes etc). The private beach was also very nice and peaceful, although the sea itself is quite rocky there. If you want to venture further afield, you will most likely need your own car, as taxis are expensive and not easy to get hold of. It's a short drive to Monopoli from here but a car is the only way. I'm vegan but had a few dinner options, and the staff at breakfast brought me a croissant and cake without me even asking. The service was very good and the staff go out of their way to help give you a good experience. All in all a fantastic experience. For a couple or small group looking for a picturesque break or tranquil escape from Puglia's bustling old towns and attractions, this is the perfect spot. Peaceful, beautiful and memorable."

"Overall it was a mixed experience for us. Hotel is in the outskirts of the city so you need a car. Our room which has a living and sleeping area was adequate but dated. The tiles and steps between the two rooms made it a bit tricky with kids. We thought the breakfast was good however there are no lunch options and for dinner there’s only one restaurant which doesn’t have any kid friendly options. As a result we weren’t able to dine in. The amenities were adequate with the 2 pools. Service however was lacking with service staff being unresponsive and looked unhappy. The cleaning was inadequate, one afternoon after the room was turned over we found shards of broken glass that the front desk refused to believe was there, they did finally send someone but cleaning with a broom doesn’t suffice in a hotel you need vacuums. I also found a spider in the room another day. The beach club they claim you have access to will try to fleece you which was an unpleasant experience and so we didn’t return to it, not to mention the beach is very rocky and not swimmable. For what we paid per night we expected much more from this hotel."