Masseria Tinelli

The photos give a lovely impression, but our stay was awful. The owners made us feel completely unwelcome, and the welcome itself was terrible. The water in the accommodation isn't drinkable, there was no shower by the pool, and the air conditioning barely worked. We ended up putting the mattresses on the floor to escape some of the heat. Getting there also means taking a very narrow road where two cars can hardly pass. Avoid this place. 0/10.

We spent two weeks at the masseria with our child, who was just under four. The setting and pool are lovely, and the location works well for visiting nearby villages. Beaches are less convenient, though, about 40 minutes from either the Adriatic or Ionian coast. We stayed in an apartment, which is more practical for a family than the charming trulli with their shared outdoor kitchen, especially on a longer visit. The apartment itself was very basic and short on equipment: no closet in the main bedroom, not even a grater in the kitchen. The biggest problem was the water from the tank. It smelled and wasn't drinkable, something that wasn't mentioned when we booked and made daily life unpleasant. For over €1,000 a week, I'd also expect better mattresses and pillows. The beautiful exterior might earn the place another star, but I couldn't get past the water issue.

The Itria Valley around the property is lush and beautiful, with country lanes nearby that are ideal for wandering through the unusual landscape. The tholos-vaulted rooms feel authentic, and the whole place is pleasant and restful. A pool and restaurant round out the stay.

We had a peaceful, easy week here, with what we needed to relax. The hosts were friendly, the pool was great, and their homemade olive oil was delicious. We’d happily come back.