Masseria Calderisi

Though they’re not quite as famous as the classic Tuscan villa or Provençal inn, there’s nothing, in Italy or anywhere else, quite like a Puglian farmhouse hotel. Halfway from the town of Fasano to the beach, set on an estate that dates back to the 17th century, is Masseria Calderisi, a 24-room luxury boutique hotel that makes a strong case for the singular charms of southern Italian country hospitality.

With 24 rooms it’s substantial for a farmhouse, but on a 24-acre estate — that’s a substantial ratio — it’ll never feel crowded. And it means there’s plenty of variety, from the stylish rooms in the main building to the suites that occupy the old tower or the stables. All pay generous tribute to their historical architecture, while their decoration shows a contemporary touch, as do the comforts, which include Nespresso machines and Marshall sound systems.

La Corte, the restaurant, serves a locally sourced, contemporary version of Puglian cuisine, while a pair of bars keep guests in high spirits: Gioia, by the poolside, during the day, and the Apero Bar, a candlelit open-air terrace for the first drink of the evening and the last one of the night.