The white-washed country homes called ‘masseria’ rise above the silvery olive groves of southern Puglia. In recent years, a trend has emerged of renovating these gorgeous old piles, many dating back centuries, into atmospheric boutique hideaways. The stately Il Giardino Grande is both part of this trend, and something new. It was once an aristocrat’s summer house on Parabita’s rural outskirts, a short, bouncing bicycle ride from the sun-warmed beaches of the Ionian Coast. Now its well-groomed grounds have been lovingly restored and updated. Sibling owners Valentina and Marco have poured their experience with Mandarin Oriental and BVLGARI Hotels into this cosy six-bedroom oasis in Salento’s sun-soaked hinterland.
It’s this level of warm hospitality and sophisticated service that sets it apart – making it a ‘dimora’, or ‘abode’, rather than just another masseria. Everything here feels relaxed yet exclusive: ideal for a couple’s retreat or a family getaway with particular appeal for those with older children. Each room is unique; breakfast is served in a Secret Garden (just follow the smell of fresh pastries); Valentina and her staff have loads of brilliant suggestions for the surrounding area; and cocktails are served poolside as you watch the shimmering sunsets.
Highs
- Gorgeous rooms with design-led furnishings, warm colour palettes, and high, airy ceilings
- Besides the sizeable pool, the hotel has gorgeous sprawling gardens full of little pockets to discover, including a converted chapel
- The level of hospitality will knock your socks off – they’ll recommend and book restaurants, discuss the local culture and more while you sip spritzes by the pool
- Excellently situated for discovering the blissful, long white-sand beaches of the Ionian Coast
- Gallipoli, set on a limestone island with a historic old town, is only 10 minutes away
Lows
- There is no dinner service, but Parabita’s restaurants are an under-ten-minute cycle or car ride away
- No kids under 12: a high for many!
Best time to go
In Puglia, temperatures soar in the summer and the crowds flock to the warm seas. High summer is also festival season, with traditional celebrations sharing a crowded calendar with newbies like Gallipoli’s Fish and Gin Festival. The vacation sweet spot is in June and September, with short-notice tables easily found at local restaurants, balmy weather, and pleasantly swimmable seas. Staying in autumn? Book the Melograno room and pick fresh pomegranates from the tree by your door. The hotel is closed November through April.
Our top tips
Check out Foscolo Ristorante in the historic heart of Matino, just a 5-10 minute drive away. The whole building has been renovated with an artistic eye; enjoy cocktails on the ground floor, then head up to the enchanting roof terrace for fine dining.
- Boutique Guesthouse
- 6 rooms
- Breakfast (+ dinner on request), restaurants nearby
- Over 12s only
- Closed: November-April
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
- Electric car charger
Rooms
Six tastefully renovated, light-filled rooms, named for trees and fruits found in the gardens, balance the dimora’s traditional honeyed stone with colourful modern décor. Ornate iron headboards provide a focus amid terracotta wardrobes and mid-century writing desks. The high ceilings, whether barrel vault or cane, provide an airy sense of space.
Three of the rooms (Carrubo, Cilegio and Ulivo) come with cementine tile terraces; honeymooners will be happy in any of these. Sit in vintage wicker armchairs and take in the lovely views over the umbrella pines and carob trees, while a gentle floral fragrance drifts in from the ornamental gardens below.
Of the three other rooms, Loto offers garden views from the bedroom, Melograno is on the ground floor and closest to the gardens, and only Fico has an Antonio Lupi bath (so deep it almost qualifies as an immersion tank). All bathrooms have generous rain showers and Essentia Puglia toiletries.
Loto and Ulivo can interconnect, with the addition of a living area overlooking the main colonnade, to create the Salice Family Suite for those travelling in a group or with teenagers.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
The breakfast buffet is fresh and delicious, served within the Soleto stone walls of the Secret Garden. Expect glistening fruit (bursting with that Italian vividness of flavour), fresh pastries, crispy-yet-fluffy Puglian focaccia, fresh cheeses, tangles of prosciutto, and pots of Nutella to be nabbed by the kids. And naturally rich and delicious espresso is on tap to set you up for the day.
The Pergola Bar by the pool is open from 10am and serves light bites and snacks from 1230-7pm. Think prosciutto speared to quartered figs, bite-size bruschetta, and generously speck-laden focaccia. Have a sundowner before cycling into Parabita for a romantic dinner alfresco at Il Contenitore.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- This part of Italy is low-rise and therefore superb for easy-going cycling jaunts. Hop on one of the free-to-use bicycles and speed off along winding country roads until the sea shimmers into view
- You can arrange yoga or fitness classes at the hotel's fitness room to help offset the focaccia indulgence during your stay. In-room treatments with a masseuse are also available
- Take a day trip to the water-encircled centro storico of Gallipoli, or drive northeast for forty minutes to arrive at Lecce. Known as the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is as famous for its Baroque historic heart as for its delicious pasticciotto pastries
- You’re close to some of the Ionian coast’s most come-hither beaches, so drive or cycle west to Baia Verde (10km) or protected Porto Selvaggio (27km, ideal for secluded bathing) at Gallipoli or Nardò respectively. There are beach clubs for lunch and drinks – you'll need to book sunbeds in advance
- Book activities through the hotel including nosing into sea caves in a traditional gozzo (wooden boat with sundeck), tasting Primitivo wine amid the vines, or riding horses through the countryside
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Swimming
- Well being
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
Kids
The hotel welcomes youngsters aged 12 years and over. The warmth of the staff means your kids will feel immediately at home, and between the pool, bikes, and the reading chapel there are enough youthful distractions/boltholes. Beyond the hotel, there are beach trips to plan, medieval fortifications to explore, and local gelato to taste. Their stay at the hotel is charged.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Melograno Room can fit two plus an extra single bed (charged) within its warmly hued walls. Or combine Loto and Ulivo to create the Salice Family Suite offering a maximum occupancy of five. Salice also has a private terrace, while its two bathrooms offer even more independence for strong young personalities.
Extra Beds Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Il Giardino Grande is situated inland from Gallipoli, near beaches and the small town of Parabita, amid the rustic hinterland of the beautiful Salento Peninsula – typically referred to as Italy’s “heel”.
By Air:
Brindisi is the nearest airport, just over an hour’s drive away.
By Car:
A car is essential to discover the treasures of this sleepy region, with public transport somewhat unreliable. The hotel can arrange an airport transfer from Brindisi, or there are car rental services available at the airport. If coming in an electric car, there are two complimentary electric car chargers on property.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Aeroporto del Salento, Brindisi 96.0 km BDS
- Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla 209.0 km BRI
Other:
- Beach 11.0 km
- Shops 1.8 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km