Casale del Murgese

Why it’s on the Edit

Casale del Murgese is a baronial masseria of the 18th century in Savelletri di Fasano, run today as a four-star resort. A masseria is a fortified Puglian farm, and the resort places this one in the Piana degli Ulivi Millenari, the plain of ancient olive trees between Monopoli and Ostuni.

It makes the list on practical grounds: a historic building, 33 rooms and suites, a large pool and two restaurants, in the second of five price bands (an estimate, since no official rate was found).

The resort also lists pets as allowed in all rooms, and it is an authorized civil wedding venue.

The rooms

There are 31 rooms and 2 suites. The rooms are in a complex a few steps from the pool and the main body of the masseria. Some look toward the sea, others toward the green hills of the Murgia.

The suites are in the historic building. Suite del Casale sits in the highest part of the masseria, with airy master rooms, a panoramic view of the sea at Savelletri, a large terrace and two bathrooms. Suite della Corte is on the ground floor of the oldest building, with a large private courtyard, high barrel vaults and a Mediterranean style.

Every room has air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The resort lists buffet breakfast, free parking, the pool, bicycles, daily cleaning and pets among the services included in all rooms. Room sizes are not confirmed here.

Eating and drinking

The resort has two restaurants and one kitchen. Ristorante Del Murgese is the main dining room, and La Tufaia is in the garden. The chefs cook typical Puglian dishes in a gourmet style, with fish from the Adriatic, and offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

The site lists breakfast from 7:30 to 10:00, lunch from 12:30 to 14:30 and dinner from 19:30 to 22:30. Breakfast is a buffet of home-made sweets and biscuits, cured meats, local cheeses and fruit from the garden.

At sunset the pool bar opens for aperitivo, with Puglian wines such as Primitivo, Negroamaro, Fiano and Verdeca. It is open to guests and, by reservation, to outside visitors. On request the resort arranges private dinners by the pool and guided tastings of oil and wine.

The setting

The masseria stands on Contrada Sarzano in a wide garden of olive and fruit trees. The 525 square meter salt-water pool looks over the olive groves, with loungers, umbrellas and a lawn around it.

The resort puts the Savelletri marina a short drive away, and bicycles are included in the rate. For swimming it points to the beach clubs at Il Capitolo in Monopoli and those between Savelletri and Torre Canne, and it notes numerous free coves along the same coast.

The Itria Valley towns of Alberobello, Locorotondo and Cisternino are the other outings it names. The small fishing harbor of Savelletri is a few minutes away, and the resort calls the masseria a starting point for villages, beaches, trulli and local food.

Good to know

• 31 rooms and 2 suites. The 2021 regional register lists 33 rooms and four stars.
• Buffet breakfast, free parking, bicycles, pets and daily cleaning are listed in the room rate.
• The pool is 525 square meters. Heating and opening months are not confirmed here.
• The 2021 register gave an opening period from April 12 to October 31. Check the current season.
• Civil weddings and exclusive use of the property are offered.
• Children are welcome. Age rules are not confirmed here.
• A spa, a gym and a kids club are not confirmed here.
• Price band: 2 of 5 (estimated: no official rate found).

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

Casale del Murgese suits couples and families who want an 18th-century masseria with a large pool and a choice of two restaurants. Guests who travel with a dog can ask about the pet rules, since pets are listed as allowed, and wedding parties can take the property over.

If a spa or a private beach decides the trip, look at Borgo Egnazia, which lists the Vair Spa and two private beaches. If you want a trullo to sleep in, the Valle d’Itria is the better place to look.

Getting there

Casale del Murgese is in Savelletri di Fasano, in the Fasano and Savelletri area. Brindisi airport is the nearer of the two airports, and Bari the alternative.

You want a car. The Itria Valley towns and the beach clubs are separate drives, and parking is free on the property.

Whether the resort arranges airport transfers is not confirmed here, so ask when you book if you plan to arrive without a car.