In short… Old-school grand luxe in the middle of an ancient olive grove, just minutes from the sea
The vibe… When Signora Melpignano opened the Masseria San Domenico in 1996, it was the first resort of its kind in the area. Of course, today there are all kinds of properties to choose from, but the Masseria San Domenico is my favorite. First, I am a sucker for old school: a bar with vintage Missoni stools; a grand indoor dining room with an epic collection of Sicilian ceramics; game tables in sitting rooms; a color palette of forest green and sunflower that looks cooler than you thought it could; and housekeepers who wear classic blue maid’s outfits by day and black by night. The pool is glorious–as big as a football field, so it seems you have it all to yourself. And if you can manage to pull yourself away from it to go have a swim in the sea, it’s just a five-minute ride to the private beach club, or a 12 minute bike ride!
The rooms… All the rooms were recently converted to suites, each one with an outdoor seating area or balcony that is surrounded by olive groves with the Adriatic just beyond. The towels are monogrammed, and there are the most perfect terry-cloth bags for carrying sunscreen to the beach club or the pool.
Food and drink… There’s the most divine lunch buffet on the planet, with simple, healthy food that’s exactly what you want to eat here; perfectly grilled sardines and the most delicate arugula, just plucked tomatoes, and seafood pasta. Poolside spritzes come from a pool bar built around an ancient olive tree,
Be sure to… Check out the spa that specializes in thalassotherapy and other treatments—a friend of mine says the olive oil treatment is magic for dry skin. Take the waters, get a mud bath, and in July, they have a great cranial sacral therapist from Milan who is a true healer.
Date of stay… August 2017, July 2025
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