Masseria Trapana hotel, Italy: Soak in modern luxury at Puglia's small, stunning hotels

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This was published 7 years ago

Masseria Trapana hotel, Italy: Soak in modern luxury at Puglia's small, stunning hotels

By Julietta Jameson
Masseria Trapana, a small beautiful hotel which opened at the end of last month.

Masseria Trapana, a small beautiful hotel which opened at the end of last month.

As residents of the water-surrounded heel of Italy's boot, with exposure to the pirates of the Aegean, Turk invaders and other unwanted visitors, the 14th to 18th century massaro, or landlords of Puglia, built huge fortified masserie to protect themselves.

These multi-use buildings would typically have the massaro's accommodation on the first floor, downstairs stables and living quarters for the workers and underground store rooms and work rooms.

Being large, handsomely built of thick local stone, usually including a chapel, orchards and kitchen gardens and surrounded by a large wall affording privacy, recent decades have seen them converted into beautiful small hotels, such as Masseria Trapana, which opened at the end of last month.

The pool at Masseria Trapana.

The pool at Masseria Trapana.

The striking property, with a main farmhouse dating back to the 16th century, and some other parts dating back to the 6th century, lay dormant for 200 years until Australian Rob Potter-Sanders purchased it in May 2013 and set about creating something special.

The hospitality professional who has worked in Australia, Britain, Morocco and Italy painstakingly restored, renovated and re-purposed the buildings, carefully picking out furnishings and finishes that speak to both the area's history and modern luxury.

The surrounding 60 hectares of gardens and orchard featuring 19 variations of fruit and nut trees, including lemon, blood orange, pomegranate, walnut and mandarin, have been restored and the courtyard and chapel brought to life again.

A room at Masseria Trapana.

A room at Masseria Trapana.

There are nine suites on offer and a glorious pool for soaking up the Puglian sun.

Suites from €250 a night including breakfast. See www.trapana.com

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