Masseria Cervarolo

Masseria Cervarolo in Ostuni, Italy, is celebrated as a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently garnering high praise for its enchanting blend of traditional Puglian charm and exceptional hospitality.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

Masseria Cervarolo consistently receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, often rated as "Wonderful" or "Exceptional" by guests, with scores typically ranging from 9.0 to 9.7 on various platforms. The general sentiment highlights a truly special, relaxing, and memorable experience, with many guests expressing a desire to return.

Key Highlights

Guests frequently commend Masseria Cervarolo for several standout features:

• Fabulous Setting and Design: The property is described as a beautiful, traditional 16th-century Puglian farmhouse, complete with picturesque trulli and whitewashed stone walls. The grounds, terraces, and the enormous infinity pool are particularly appreciated for their beauty and relaxing atmosphere.
• Exceptional Service & Staff: The staff's friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness are recurring themes, often making guests feel welcomed and pampered.
• Outstanding Dining: The traditional Puglian cuisine, fresh local produce, and generous breakfast receive high acclaim.
• Peaceful Ambiance: The masseria offers a serene and peaceful countryside escape, ideal for relaxation.
• Eco-Friendly Practices: The hotel generates its own solar power and uses eco-friendly Malin + Goetz toiletries, earning an EU Ecolabel for its sustainable practices.

Room Quality

The 17 rooms and suites, housed in the main building and historic trulli, are uniquely furnished with antique and handmade furniture, reflecting a rustic yet stylish design.

• Comfort and Design: Rooms are generally described as having character, being comfortable, and featuring traditional elements like whitewashed stone walls and four-poster beds. Quality linen and towels are often noted.
• Amenities: All rooms include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-bars with organic drinks, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms feature Essentia Puglia product lines.
• Variety: Some rooms are located in original trulli, while others are in the main building, including some in a 1950s extension that may lack the antique features of older rooms. Specific rooms like Room 9 (a junior suite in a former palmento with an original cisterna) and Room 15 (overlooking the pool with a star-shaped vaulted ceiling) are highlighted.

Dining Experience

Masseria Cervarolo's restaurant is highly recommended, focusing on typical Puglian cuisine reinterpreted by the chef.

• Dinner: The degustation menu of local produce is consistently praised as "tasty" and "perfect." Dinner is served either alfresco on the terrace or in a stylish dining room with an open kitchen, allowing guests to observe the chefs. The menu changes daily, featuring local specialties like orecchiette pasta, and offers an excellent selection of over 80 Puglian wines with expert recommendations.
• Breakfast: Guests rave about the "excellent" and "generous" buffet breakfast, which includes homemade cakes and jams, fresh juices, seasonal fruits, local salami, and typical cheeses.

Service & Staff

The service and staff at Masseria Cervarolo are consistently highlighted as a major strength. Guests describe them as "wonderful," "friendly," "helpful," "attentive," and "exceptional." They are often noted for their passion, professionalism, and willingness to accommodate requests, contributing significantly to the overall positive guest experience.

Location & Accessibility

The masseria is nestled in the heart of the picturesque Valle d'Itria, a tranquil rural setting about 6 km (4.3 miles) from the famous "White City" of Ostuni.

• Proximity to Attractions: It serves as a great base for exploring central Puglia. The village of Cervarolo is 15 km from the coast, and the Torre Guaceto nature reserve is about a 30-minute drive away.
• Transport: While a car is helpful for exploring the region, free private parking is available on site. The nearest train station is Ostuni. Brindisi-Casale and Bari-Palese are the closest airports, with taxi services available.

Value & Pricing

While specific pricing can vary, reviews suggest that Masseria Cervarolo offers good value for the experience it provides. Rates may start from approximately $180 or €169 per night. Guests often find the overall quality of the property, services, and dining to be well worth the cost.

Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few minor criticisms have been noted:

• Room Lighting/Size: Some guests found certain rooms, particularly "trullo" rooms, to be small and dark, requiring lights on during the day, and bathrooms to be tiny with limited space for toiletries.
• Wi-Fi and Mobile Service: Wi-Fi can be average in some areas, and mobile service might be limited until about a 5-minute drive from the property.
• Air Conditioning: One guest mentioned the air conditioning might not be adequate in extremely hot weather.
• Dining Timing/Rules: The 7:30 PM start time for dinner was considered late by some, and a rule against eating at lounge chairs by the pool (requiring guests to use the bar area) was mentioned.
• Minor Charges: A minor complaint included a 1 euro charge for tea or coffee in the common area.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. booking.com
3. masseriacervarolo.com
4. thehotelguru.com
5. michelin.com
6. tablethotels.com
7. booking.com
8. priceline.com
9. mrandmrssmith.com
10. masseriacervarolo.com
11. wanderlog.com
12. masseriacervarolo.com
13. booking.com