Masseria Torre Maizza, a Rocco Forte Hotel

It’s historic, surrounded by oil-producing olive groves, fuses irresistible old-meets-new design styles and, perhaps even more importantly, showcases the best regional produce via its delectable fine dining restaurant and private Beach Club bar.

This is an Italian coastal hotel that has it all, beginning with the guestrooms, each being a white-washed haven of traditional floor tiles and curved ceilings on one hand, yet cutting-edge Art Deco interior design and finishing touches on the other. Wonderfully well-equipped too, these super stylish abodes feel spacious thanks to lots of light, large windows and glass doors, though also feature luxe walk-in rain showers, plentiful mod-cons, a fireplace for the larger rooms and in some, a private garden, sun terrace, pool, or all three.

Masseria Torre Maizza, a Rocco Forte Hotel itself is an ancient fortified farm building, which for lucky guests who stay here means two things. First, the surrounding lands are fertile and produce not only olives for oil in the restaurant and spa therapies, but other seasonal produce which goes into the hotel’s fine dining menu.

Second, exploring the properties many nooks and crannies is all part of the fun! This goes from the crumbling walls and Romanesque pillars surrounding a lovely outdoor swimming pool and patio, to the Aveda spa hidden away in the original Masseria watchtower, where eagle-eyed guards have since been replaced by expert masseurs, a Hammam and Jacuzzi tub.

Then, with easy access to the surrounding ancient sites of Gargano Peninsula and Bari Old Town (a little further), lots of outdoor activities, watersports and private yacht hire between this, the Beach Club and nearby sister hotel Torre Coccaro, Masseria Torre Maizza, a Rocco Forte Hotel just continues to shine.