Masseria Palaci

Inside

accommodation at Masseria Palaci is spread over an L-shaped ground floor wing. a separate two-storey tower, and an independent guest wing accessed from the gardens.

Once a fortified agricultural stronghold designed to keep unwanted visitors out, Masseria Palaci is now a luxurious 21st-century home that welcomes guests with a warm embrace. The property's original architectural elements remain in pride of place, providing an atmospheric canvas onto which contemporary furniture, fittings, lights and artwork have been discreetly superimposed. Pale, creamy walls, which have been painted with a subtle rustic effect, run throughout, flowing organically into similarly soft-hued floors, and sandy tuff stone barrel-vaulted ceilings. The overall effect is one of harmony, airiness and tranquillity.

Most of the rooms of the main wing are accessed from (and flow out onto) the main walled courtyard. One of these is the living area, where we will begin our tour. At the centre of this generously proportioned, lofty-ceilinged space are a pair of double-sized sofas, strewn liberally with cushions, divided by a bespoke tree-trunk coffee table, and overlooked by an abstract triptych. Artfully placed around the room is a collection of modern and antique ceramics, wooden furniture and more contemporary paintings.

At one end, the base of the L, is an impressive fireplace and a couple of designer chairs. To the left is a little atrium with a pair of sofas and access to the rear garden courtyard, to the right a wide opening leading into the warmly atmospheric dining area, furnished with a large bespoke table of thick-cut wood and a pair of impressive cupboards.

One door in the dining area leads out to the main courtyard garden, while another opens into the fully-equipped kitchen, which has been conceived in two sections: a more traditional area with double ovens, a professional multi-burner hob, and an island work station; and an indoor-outdoor area with fully-opening multi-fold windows, a central work station, a fridge, an ice-maker, a wine chiller and a blast chiller. Both parts of the kitchen access the al fresco dining area in the main courtyard.

Back in the living area, a door to one side of the sofas leads into the first bedroom, a double with en-suite shower room and access to the rear courtyard garden. The remaining four bedrooms of this wing - all doubles with en-suite shower rooms - are accessed from a corridor leading off from the living area. Two of these access the main courtyard garden, the other two access the rear courtyard garden. At the end of the corridor, meanwhile, a door opens out onto the fabulous pool area (of which more anon).

The old tower, which rises at one corner of the main courtyard garden, is home to a cinema room on the ground floor and a double with en-suite shower room on the first floor. This latter is accessed via a flight of external stone steps.

Accommodation at Masseria Palaci is completed by an independent guest wing accessed from the rear courtyard garden. It hosts three double bedrooms, each with its own en-suite shower room. The standard and style of these bedrooms is the same as those in the main house. Photos of the guest wing will be taken in spring 2024.

Outside

with its three large walled courtyards and its extensive rooftop terrace, there is truly an embarrassment of choice at Masseria Palaci when it comes to al fresco living. There are also fruit trees and free-range hens for eggs

The front courtyard, from which one may access Masseria Palaci's communal areas and three of the bedrooms (including the one in the tower), is the true hub of the property. Rectangular in shape and portioned into four lawned quadrants by a pair of paths, this space is where guests spend many an hour chatting, sipping on a coffee, relaxing with a book, and dining . Extending along the L-shaped façade of the main house wing is a shady, comfortably furnished sitting area and, conveniently served by the kitchen and by a wood-burning pizza oven, a most convivial dining area.

The second courtyard is home to the fabulously designed pool area, and is accessed from the corridor of the bedroom wing, the main courtyard and from the parking area. At the centre is the slender 25m-long pool, a sure-fire hit both with serious swimmers and those who simply love to wallow. On one side of the pool is a large sunken sitting area, furnished with cushioned built-in sofas-cum-day beds and shaded by a canework canopy. To the other is a solarium and a trellised arcade of trained lemon trees. At one end of the pool, meanwhile, is a small massage room with bathroom and shower.

A gate from the pool area leads to the third courtyard garden, which is also accessed from three of the bedrooms and from the living area. Here a large landscaped area is flanked on one side by dry stone walls and on the other by a shaded arcade that connects the pool area with a gym and yoga room, behind which is the caretaker's cottage.

Last but most definitely not least is the fabulously panoramic roof terrace, which is accessed from both the pool area and the main courtyard. Offering tantalising views out to sea, some 3km away, this dreamy space comes complete with shaded areas, outdoor sofas and chairs, a dining table, and a built-in barbecue - all in all the perfect spot for sunset aperitivi and long dinners under the Salentine stars.

Masseria Palaci has its own chickens, that produce fresh eggs for clients. There are also a few cats and three dogs at the property. The former to keep the wildlife under control, the latter are friendly and can be kept out of the courtyards by closing the gates/doors.

Due to its location, there is very limited or no mobile phone reception at this property, and the internet network is slower than in many of our properties. While it does allow standard browsing, it is not adequate for online streaming or remote working.

Please note that due to the wonderful pool setting, and the need to preserve this, no ball games are permitted inside the pool.

You may also wish to know that the pool has a single depth of 1.4m.

Please contact us before booking if there are more than two children in your group.

Within the grounds (and away from the houses and pool), there is also a beehive that produces delicious honey, which guests can enjoy during their stay.