MASSERIA LE MANDORLE

MASSERIA LE MANDORLE, Ugento’s hottest new boutique hotel, is the sister property

to Castello di Ugento. Once an eighteenth-century farmhouse, the property impressively

blends ancient ambiance with a posh modern aesthetic. Whitewashed walls, rustic wooden beams, wrought iron accents, and flagstone floors impart a distinctive Italian elegance, while the sleek designer pool, state-of- the-art sports facilities, proximity to sparkling beaches, and a renowned restaurant make it a getaway both rejuvenating and indulgent. The nine rooms and three suites exude chic minimalism, with their soft color palattes, clean and crisp white linens, honey-hued stone floors, and vintage/handmade furnishings. Each of the twelve rooms and suites comes with walk-in wet rooms and monsoon showers, and four suites have their own patios. Just as the kitchen is at the heart of the sister property, so it is at the heart of Masseria le Mandorle, which epitomizes the Italian saying, “A tavola non s’invecchia,” or “You don’t become old sitting at the table with good friends and family.”

Overseen by famed Italian House Chef Odette Fada, the menu is a delightful celebration of Puglia’s cucina povera. Gourmet breakfast and dinner buffets are served family-style in the courtyard, in the dining room, and on the rooftop terrace. Lunch by the pool is also available—just ask for the menu of mouthwatering panini and insalate. The magnificent restaurant, with its eighteenth-century vaulted ceiling, has whitewashed walls with stone-flagged floors and rustic wooden tables. The bespoke wrought-iron lighting adds to the room’s grandeur, as does the giant fireplace, where a log fire crackles in the grate during the winter months. In summer, the room is a cooling respite from the heat. An outdoor wood-fired pizza oven and open-air kitchen on the rooftop terrace provide yet another truly exceptional gastronomic experience.

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