Masseria Fragnale

I rented the place exclusively for my 50th birthday and had the party there, but the owners' actions left me with a terrible memory of it. I had a DJ who was properly registered with SIAE under the contract. That cost felt like money wasted, since if I'd known there would be trouble I would have skipped the DJ and SIAE and made a donation to the Sacred Heart instead. At 10:30, the owners came over to the DJ and insisted the music be turned down to piano bar volume. The pool filter had also been off since I arrived to set up at 18:00, and the water was hot, cloudy, and yellowish. I still tried to enjoy the pool with my guests, but at midnight the owner, or someone acting for him, got rude and demanded we get out of the water. When it came time to pay, he disputed a few minor things: a supposed pile of glass in the pool, which wasn't true, three of the DJ's beer bottles that were far from the pool, and headphones not being worn. Fine, but he never acknowledged how badly my 50th birthday party had been spoiled. The venue itself is a nine-star place, which makes the experience all the more disappointing.

The owner was friendly and helpful, and we had a lovely two days. It was such a peaceful oasis. Breakfast was excellent, and the rooms and the rest of the property were exceptionally clean. Everything was impeccable.

Well kept and beautiful, a place that would suit all kinds of events.

The pool area was well maintained, but the owners' constant attention made the stay feel like a Stephen King thriller. They and his wife watched us and scolded us at every turn. I've never felt so monitored, even people in a maximum-security prison must get more privacy. At arrival, he didn't greet us. Instead he kept telling me to reposition the car to center it better in the parking space, so it wouldn't touch the tiny leaves along the edge of an otherwise walkable lawn, as if I were driving a semi-trailer. Then, still without saying hello, he gave us a long list of things we weren't allowed to do in his B&B. I wanted a relaxing weekend in the beautiful Itria Valley, but this isn't somewhere I'd stay again. I can only recommend it if the management changes.