Surrounded by organic olive groves, the white-stone
Masseria Moroseta draws a bohemian crowd with its
pared-back style, timeless comforts and a sustainable
sensibility.

A modern country house with a sustainable sensibility, Masseria
Moroseta is something out of a Le Corbusier dream cycle – if
Corbusier was Italian, that is. Surrounded by more than five
hectares of organic olive groves, Masseria Moroseta is an
affordable, B&B-style hideaway in the Puglian countryside.
Built around an airy courtyard, this white-stone masseria is
structured like a typical “Pugliese” farmhouse, but with modern
enhancements of solar power, green building techniques and
energy-saving insulation. Thanks to its convivial atmosphere that
appeals to artists, bohemians and design aficionados, securing a
reservation at this cultish property is no small feat.

Rooms

Six elegant, simple rooms line the courtyard walls of the
masseria. Classic rooms are fitted with king-size beds made up with
crisp linen sheets and backed by chevron-patterned tiles
masquerading as headboards. Serving as reading lamps, exposed light
bulbs dangle from the ceiling over mismatched side tables, while a
small writing desk occupies the far corner, adjacent to your
private garden or terrace which overlooks the hinterland. Just as
rustic, the Suites offer all the weathered woods and tarnished
metals of the Classic rooms, with the added perk of additional
space. Bathrooms, for both room types, boast vintage marble sinks,
open showers with salvaged copper pipes and fittings – they also
come stocked with bio cosmetics produced from the masseria’s extra
virgin olive oil.

What’s for breakfast?

Breakfast is a communal affair, served from 8.30am. On entering
the breakfast room, you’ll find a table laid with Puglian crockery
– a hotpotch collection compiled of Pollock-esque splashes and
abstract faces in primary colours. You’ll feast on a spread of
cold-cut meats, eggs freshly laid by owner Carlo’s flock of
chickens, burrata doused in olive oil, apple spiced with sumac,
rice pudding topped with stewed apricots and flecked with cacao
nibs, husks of buttery sourdough and strong coffee to wash it all
down. Included in your room rate, breakfast is served until
10.30am.

How about lunch and dinner?

Like breakfast, both lunch and dinner are served family style.
Lunches are from 1 to 2pm and dinners are hosted at 8pm. Seated
around a long wooden bench-style table, you can get to know the
co-habitants of the hotel over a preset menu – trust Masseria
Moroseta to steer your culinary journey, these guys know about a
toothsome, locally sourced meal. Over the course of your dinner
you’ll sample the likes of handmade pastas and gnocchi (we tucked
into culurgiones-inspired ravioli), rich pumpkin gazpacho (paired
with organic wine bottled by a local former optician) and a
luscious dessert – think chocolate cake laced with chocolate
fondant and finished with a scoop of gelato.

Is there a bar?

You’ll find a small bar tucked away in the same space as the
casual dining room – help yourself to vegan treats or
chocolate-chip cookies to accompany your espresso at 12pm. From
noon onwards, revisit the bar for a sip of something stronger – an
Aperol spritz by the pool or a glass of Puglian wine in the lounge
on a cooler evening goes down a treat.

Amenities

Take a dip in the outdoor pool or workout in the petite, but
well-equipped gym which comprises of an elliptical, TRX straps,
yoga mats and dumbbells. If you consider shopping your cardio or
you’ve simply fallen in love with Masseria Moroseta’s furnishings,
you can bring home a piece of the place from its boutique which
sells bedspreads, plates and Linum linen lace among other
must-haves. The handmade ceramics from Grottaglie (a small town in
Puglia, which is considered the heart of ceramics in Italy) are
oh-so hard to resist.

Things I should know

The property is graced by the presence of three loveable
bulldogs – Beppe, Pablo and little Teresa. If you’re looking for
somewhere dog-free, and with a little more space, the three
Moroseta Villas – Villa Castelluccio, Villa Cardo and Tenuta
Masseriola – can cater to your group’s needs and are all within a
20-minute drive of Masseria Moroseta. On request, cooking lessons,
yoga classes and personal training sessions can be arranged both at
the villas and the masseria. Yoga retreats and food workshops are
also held throughout the year.

Within a short walk I can find…

You’ll need a car to really explore
Ostuni and beyond – Polignano a Mare and Alberobello both make
for memorable day trips. If you’re in town on a Sunday, head to
Ostuni’s antiques market – park at the Pink Lady café and walk from
there. For lazy days by the sea, the nearest beaches are around
seven miles away.