Tenuta Il Gambero

The breakfast was lovely, but the rest of this stay was so upsetting that we left after the second night. We chose this remote location because we expected to eat at the hotel restaurant each evening. There was nothing during booking to say it would be closed, which felt misleading. So much about this Masseria did. We paid £1.8K for a Junior Suite that looked much larger in the pictures than it was in person. The photos of the bedrooms seemed to use a fisheye lens. As soon as we entered, the tiny plunge pool filled the room with a strong chlorine smell. There were no windows to air it out, and the bed linen felt very damp, almost as though water had been sitting there all winter. The pool was so small that it seemed more sensible to fill it on the morning of a guest’s reservation than leave chemicals in the air for people to breathe. We said right away that we couldn’t stay in that room, mainly for health and safety reasons. We asked to move to another room, preferably a better one given what we’d paid. They said only a Deluxe Double was available, so we had to accept it because we’d planned a six-night stay. We spent one night there and hated it. It wasn’t the stay we’d wanted, and there was no suite area to sit and relax, just the bed upstairs. The hotel had also advertised a restaurant, but it was closed. We’d already seen how cutting and nasty the hotel could be when replying to reviews it didn’t like. I didn’t want more stress on an important holiday, so as Gold members we asked hotels.com to help. The hotel refused our request for a refund of the difference between the room we’d booked in good faith and the downgraded room we were given. We were disgusted by the way they handled it. Guests should be treated as right in this situation. We’re considerate, experienced travelers from around the world, and leave places just as we found them. This place had a lot of potential, but after this experience I’d urge you to stay somewhere else. :(

The staff’s care and kindness made our stay at Masseria dei Monaci unforgettable. They went out of their way for us, and the personal, welcoming atmosphere helped make it the perfect place for my very special proposal. It was everything I’d hoped for and more. Our room with a private pool was a peaceful little retreat, beautifully designed and spotless, with a lovely balance of comfort and luxury and the masseria’s authentic character. Every detail felt considered. From the moment we arrived, the service was warm and professional, and we felt completely at home. Masseria dei Monaci has stunning surroundings and a truly personal touch. We can’t wait to return, it’ll always mean a lot to us.

The setting and rooms really were as lovely as the photos, and the grounds are beautiful. But the masseria is only about a foot from a very busy highway. Fast cars and Vespas pass all day and night, and the traffic noise took away from the peace by the pool. The mattress in our suite was another letdown. It was so thin that all the springs showed, and we had a very uncomfortable five nights. Breakfast was good. We’d chosen what looked like a truly exceptional place for our holiday, but the stay was disappointing.

The quiet countryside felt like a welcome break from the busy cities on our Italy tour. Masseria dei Monaci has a calm, authentic atmosphere, and you can tell it’s family-oriented, with care put into every detail. The whole team made us feel warmly welcomed and gave the place a personal touch that made our stay memorable. If you’re after a peaceful stay in Italy, I’d highly recommend it.