Masseria Corte degli Aromi

The rooms at the Masseria were stunning, thoughtfully designed, and comfortable, and the setting itself is beautiful. But our stay was a mixed experience. We booked half board and found the food disappointing for the high price. The pool looks lovely, though it isn't heated, so we couldn't really enjoy it during our stay. The hospitality also fell short. The owner didn't seem welcoming. We understand he doesn't speak English, but the interaction still felt cold. At checkout, after paying a very high bill, we weren't even thanked. The setting is beautiful, but the service left a lot to be desired.

Breakfast was a real highlight, with plenty of savory choices, fresh fruit, and sweet treats. In the evening we enjoyed cocktails during aperitivo as the sun went down. Everyone we met was kind and attentive, and the rooms were lovely. Having a private pool in each room was a great extra. It's a quiet, relaxing base for exploring the region, and we'd happily stay here again. Special thanks to Julia and Monica, who were there every day.

I left after five nights yesterday, frustrated that I couldn't get a decent night's sleep. The room's AC never got close to the temperature we set, even after running at full blast for all five days. My wife and I spent the first two nights awake and roasting. At 620€ a night, being stuck awake in a furnace was unacceptable. I told reception politely and was told a technician would come. I also asked to speak with the hotel manager about changing rooms, and was told the manager would come by. Neither showed up, and after I left reception it felt like we'd simply been forgotten. I work in hospitality, and in my hotels a guest saying they'd spent the night awake and drenched in sweat would be an emergency. We'd do everything we could to fix it. Here, I was ignored. It's a small hotel with some of the highest rates in Salento, so the lack of service left me dissatisfied. I wish I could have left thinking about the lovely gardens, beautiful design, or private pool instead.

We booked four nights for our mini moon. On arrival, there were rose petals, fruit, and a bottle of fizz in a beautiful room, and the hotel has impressive facilities. But once we settled in, we noticed cracks in the floor, a broken ceiling above the sauna, a neglected outdoor space, and a shower that smelled badly of damp. We reported it and were moved to a better kept, beautiful room. The outdoor area there was neglected too. The covers clearly hadn't been washed between guests, with bird poo and damp or mould patches; the table was broken and the plants were overgrown. We reported that in the morning, but the hotel took all day to respond and didn't fix it until the next day, so we couldn't use the space for over a day. My husband was also very ill and could barely leave the room, and the hotel showed little to no sympathy. We got barely an apology for the outdoor area. At checkout, after we argued about the poor service given the price, they reluctantly offered a 100 discount. That's a drop in the ocean when you're paying 350+ a night. It may sound picky, but at that price we expect well-kept 5* rooms and 5* service, especially when something goes wrong.