Masseria Fontana di Vite

Masseria Fontana di Vite, a Michelin Key Selected property nestled in the hills overlooking Matera, offers guests a luxurious and tranquil escape in a picturesque rural setting. This converted 18th-century mansion, meticulously renovated in 2014, seamlessly blends historic charm with modern comforts, earning high praise from visitors.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Masseria Fontana di Vite is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing their stay as "wonderful" and "beyond words." Review scores consistently reflect high satisfaction, with categories like cleanliness, comfort, and staff all receiving excellent ratings (e.g., 9.6 for cleanliness and comfort, 9.7 for staff on one major booking platform). Many consider it a "dream come true" and express a desire to return.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Masseria Fontana di Vite:

• Location & Views: The stunning pastoral setting, surrounded by golden fields and olive groves, offers breathtaking views, including glimpses of Matera from a hilltop.
• Exceptional Service: The staff's kindness, attentiveness, and professionalism are frequently highlighted as a major strong point.
• Beautiful Design & Ambiance: The property itself is described as beautiful, elegant, and well-curated, with an interior that tastefully mixes modern and antique Italian elements.
• Comfortable Rooms: The spacious and extremely comfortable rooms are a recurring theme in positive reviews.
• Delicious Breakfast: The breakfast receives enthusiastic praise for its quality and variety.
• Relaxing Amenities: The lovely seasonal outdoor pool, complete with loungers and a poolside bar, provides a perfect spot for relaxation. The presence of animals like Renato the Donkey and Nina the Mareema also adds to the charm for some guests.

3. Room Quality

The 19 rooms and suites at Masseria Fontana di Vite are described as spacious, comfortable, and clean, featuring a blend of Italian and modern styles. Many boast warm, neutral-colored interiors with Lucanian décor, creating a crisp and rustic atmosphere. Modern amenities are integrated to ensure a comfortable stay.

• Features: Rooms are air-conditioned and include a wardrobe, kettle, fridge, minibar, safety deposit box, and a flat-screen TV.
• Bathrooms: Ultra-modern bathrooms are attached to bedrooms that often lie beneath weathered stone vaults, creating a unique contrast. They typically include a bidet, separate toilet, and shower, with some even offering a hot tub or hydromassage showers.
• Outdoor Spaces: Many accommodations come with a private patio, balcony, or garden, offering views of the garden or pool.
• Comfort: Guests frequently highlight the "best beds" and premium bedding, along with blackout drapes, contributing to excellent sleep conditions.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Masseria Fontana di Vite is generally highly regarded, particularly the breakfast.

• Breakfast: The complimentary buffet breakfast is "exceptional," "amazing," and "very good and plentiful," offering a wide selection of local and chef-prepared sweet and savory, hot and cold options. Guests appreciate the variety and quality of the local products.
• Restaurant: The on-site restaurant, beneath vaulted ceilings, serves fine Italian dishes for lunch and dinner, drawing from a rich Southern Italian culinary tradition. The spirit is one of abundance, including aperitivi and local Southern wines. Vegetarian, dairy-free, and vegan options are available upon request. While generally positive, one guest did find dinner to be "mediocre."

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Masseria Fontana di Vite receive outstanding reviews. They are consistently described as "amazing," "kind," "helpful," "attentive," "friendly," and "professional." Specific mentions include staff members like Analisa and Erasmus, praised for their kindness. Guests feel truly touched by the staff's attentiveness, making their stay special.

6. Location & Accessibility

Masseria Fontana di Vite is situated in a splendid rural environment, approximately 9-10 km (about a 10-minute drive) from the historical center of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Tranquil Retreat: Its location in the hills provides a quiet and restful pastoral setting, offering a tranquil retreat away from the crowds of Matera while still providing views of the city.
• Transport: Having a car is highly recommended and considered a "fantastic option" for guests to easily visit Matera and explore the surrounding picturesque villages of Puglia and Basilicata. Free private parking is available on-site. An airport shuttle service is offered for an additional charge.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally perceive Masseria Fontana di Vite as offering good value for money, reflected in a high "Value for money" score of 9.2. While pricing can vary by season and room type, rates have been observed starting from around $178. The luxurious experience, combined with the quality of service, amenities, and location, makes it a worthwhile investment for many travelers. Additional charges apply for cribs (€30 per night) and rollaway beds (€80 per night). A city tax of EUR 4.00 per person, per night, also applies for guests over 15 years old.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

• Internet Connectivity: Some guests have reported that the internet/Wi-Fi can be very poor and needs improvement.
• Shower vs. Bathtub: One guest specifically mentioned that their room had "just a bath tub" and no shower, which might be a preference for some travelers. This could vary by room type, as hydromassage showers are also mentioned in some descriptions.
• Dinner Consistency: Although breakfast is highly praised, at least one guest found the dinner to be "mediocre."
• Pool Hours: A guest expressed a wish for the pool to be accessible after 8 PM, noting the seasonal outdoor pool typically operates from 9 AM to 7:30 PM, from June to September.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. materacollection.com
3. booking.com
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5. wedinspire.com
6. voyage-prive.co.uk
7. booking.com
8. booking.com
9. hotels.com
10. materaahotel.com
11. expedia.com
12. thewhiteedit.com
13. kayak.com