Secolario - Masseria del Viverbene
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Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional Service:** The attentive, friendly, and helpful staff receive high praise for making stays enjoyable and providing excellent hospitality.
Expert Review: Secolario - Masseria del Viverbene
Secolario - Masseria del Viverbene, located in Palmariggi, Italy, is a highly acclaimed Michelin Key Selected property that consistently earns praise for its serene ambiance, exquisite design, and exceptional service. Nestled amidst ancient olive groves, this beautifully restored masseria offers a tranquil escape in the heart of Salento.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Secolario - Masseria del Viverbene is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "stunning," "an oasis," and "beautiful." It boasts an exceptional rating of 9.5 out of 10 based on 113 reviews on Booking.com and a 9.4 out of 10 from 33 reviews on Voyage Privé. The sentiment highlights a perfect blend of relaxation, elegance, and authentic Puglian hospitality.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several key aspects of Secolario:
- Design & Ambiance: The masseria is celebrated for its beautiful, tasteful, and expertly decorated spaces, creating a calm and tranquil feel. Its architecture, featuring thick-walled limestone buildings, high vaulted ceilings, and exposed wood beams, is enhanced by elegant white and earth tones, with custom stonework by Álvaro Siza and art installations by international artists adding a unique touch.
- Peaceful Location: The serene setting among ancient olive trees is a major draw, offering a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
- Outdoor Pool: The great outdoor pool, often described as an oasis of relaxation set in clear Apulian stone, is a favorite among visitors.
- Exceptional Service: The attentive, friendly, and helpful staff receive high praise for making stays enjoyable and providing excellent hospitality.
- Dining: The on-site restaurant and superb breakfast are frequently highlighted as top-quality experiences.
3. Room Quality
The rooms at Secolario are described as spacious, comfortable, and impeccably clean, featuring elegant and refined designs inspired by Puglia. Guests appreciate the very comfortable king-sized beds and pillows. Each room includes a private bathroom, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a mini-bar, and tea/coffee making facilities, along with free WiFi. Many rooms offer pleasant views of the garden or pool, with some featuring balconies or patios. The ground-floor suites, in particular, are noted for their sliding glass doors opening directly into private gardens, offering exclusive relaxation. Interiors feature cool stone flooring, cream-colored linens, and artisan-made furnishings.
While largely positive, one guest reported issues with a dirty floor, a rain leak near the patio door, a loose toilet seat, and delayed Wi-Fi password delivery in their room. Another mentioned the possibility of water spilling from the shower.
4. Dining Experience
The "Volìvo" restaurant on-site serves high-quality local Puglian cuisine, utilizing fresh vegetables and herbs grown in the nearby greenhouse. Breakfast is consistently described as "amazing" and "superb," featuring a buffet with typical, genuine, continental, and Italian products. Guests praise the food in general as "formidable" and of good quality. The masseria also offers a lounge bar where guests can enjoy traditional Salento specialties and drinks.
A minor point of criticism noted by some guests is a perceived lack of variety in the dinner menu for longer stays. There was also an instance where a promised 10% restaurant discount was not automatically applied.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Secolario - Masseria del Viverbene is frequently highlighted as impeccable, attentive, and incredibly helpful. Guests consistently commend the staff for their kindness, professionalism, and readiness to fulfill requests, making visitors feel pampered and well-greeted from the moment of arrival. Staff members are also praised for providing excellent local recommendations.
One isolated complaint mentioned an indifferent staff attitude when dealing with a room badge issue, and another noted that breakfast replenishment could be slow during busy periods.
6. Location & Accessibility
Secolario is set in a peaceful location amidst olive groves in Palmariggi, offering a tranquil retreat in the Salento countryside. Its strategic position is a key advantage, being just 10 minutes from Otranto and its beautiful beaches and attractions. It serves as an excellent base for exploring southern Puglia, including destinations like Castello di Otranto (8.7 mi away) and Grotta Zinzulusa (13 mi away). Brindisi Airport is approximately 47 miles away, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
While the location is ideal for exploration, guests generally recommend having a car for convenience, especially if planning to dine outside the masseria in nearby towns, as the property can feel a bit isolated. Free on-site parking is available.
7. Value & Pricing
Guests frequently describe Secolario as offering "very good value" and "excellent value for money," with a strong rating of 9.0 for value on Booking.com. While specific price ranges are subject to dates and room types, the general sentiment indicates that the quality of accommodation, service, and amenities justifies the cost. Some booking platforms also offer discounts for longer stays, such as 10% off for stays of 7 nights or more, and 15% off at the Volìvo restaurant for stays of 3 nights or more.
8. Common Complaints
While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few recurring minor criticisms include:
- A perceived lack of variety in the dinner menu for guests staying multiple nights.
- The 10% restaurant discount not being automatically applied.
- The necessity of a car for dining out in local towns due to the masseria's somewhat secluded location.
- Occasional reports of the restaurant being quiet or empty even when the masseria itself is full.
- Isolated incidents of room maintenance issues (dirty floor, leak, loose toilet seat) or staff indifference.
- One review mentioned the potential for shower water to wet the entire bathroom area.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •One isolated complaint mentioned an indifferent staff attitude when dealing with a room badge issue, and another noted that breakfast replenishment could be slow during busy periods.
- •While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few recurring minor criticisms include:
- •Isolated incidents of room maintenance issues (dirty floor, leak, loose toilet seat) or staff indifference.
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