If you’re looking for a child friendly hotel with a historic character, you will surely love Masseria Torre Coccaro as much as we did. The property is a genuine masseria and this is reflected in the old buildings and beautiful “village square”. One shouldn’t expect a modern hotel. It’s somewhat rustic and the rooms and the exterior reflect the original style of the 16th century.
To get to the 5-star Masseria Torre Coccaro you might be better off using the navigation system , because we found it quite a challenge to find this somewhat remote hotel. After finally arriving, we discovered that Masseria Torre Coccaro is an island of relaxation amidst the gorgeous olive groves of Puglia.
You will find bungalows that lie scattered around a main building. All the bungalows are built from whitewashed limestone and have suites and rooms that provide all the modern comforts and are a mix of elegance and simplicity. An ancient white cave has been converted into the Orange Garden Suite which even has a private heated pool. The Suites in the Tower of the main building have a spectacular view of the entire estate and the sea.
The Masseria
Masseria Torre Coccaro is situated in extensive grounds and we can easily spend an entire afternoon exploring the vegetable herb garden, the pool area and the surrounding nature. Our kids even manage to find an enchanting chapel. It is such a beautiful setting only about half a mile inland from the Mediterranean Sea. A free shuttle takes guests to the private Coccaro Beach Club.
The owner and staff understand what unpretentious luxury should be. We were quite taken by all the well thought out details: a roof terrace, a hot tub, the Spa, the little gym, the fresh flowers all over the place, etc. Yet, the hotel is small enough to feel intimate. Staying here feels like a get-together of a couple of old friends and families. In other words, it feels like home but you don’t necessarily need to hang out with each other. We are therefore not surprised to hear that a large number of guests keep returning with their families.
Cooking lessons
The hotel surely knows how to give kids a good time. They have a game room, pizza making classes, a shaded playground and a football field. As parents, we are very pleased with the services provided by a staff member who entertains the kids in the huge pool while we eat and read a bit. There’s a reliable and safe child care service that is available all day and watches over children by the pool, in the playground or during the evening meals. The beach is beautiful and has fine sand that is wonderful for children to play in. Adults and children alike can enjoy a horse ride on the beach. The Coccaro Beach Club has a mini club for children between the ages of 3 and12. And children can even take tennis lessons, cooking classes and Italian lessons. Hopefully they will find some time to relax…
Main pool at Torre Coccaro
There are no less than 4 restaurants at Masseria Torre Coccaro: Egnathia-- serving the local Puglia food; Le Palme of Masseria Maizza--with a creative Puglai cuisine; Cabana by the pool--with a light fresh menu; and last but not least, the Coccaro Beach Club,-- with everything from fish to pizza or even sushi on the beach? Imagine wonderful dinners on the outdoor patio by the pool lit by hundreds of lights. All restaurants serve delicious food using high-quality local products such as mozzarella, vegetables from their own garden and their own high-grade olive oil.
The hotel organises numerous events in the evenings like pizza making, modern dance, folk music, barbecue dinners and an open-air cinema night. They also offer yacht and sailboat excursions that even include sea fishing. You can play a round of golf on the estate or you might go for a bicycle tour.
It’s a rural retreat and after a few days you might want to explore the surrounding area. The hotel and the neighbouring sister hotel, Maizza, have regular evening events. The Puglia region has interesting places to visit as well as a wide range of very good local restaurants. Don’t forget to visit Castel del Monte, an architectural wonder. The beautiful white Trulli houses of Alberobello and the wine estates are also worth a visit.
WOW
# The hotel interior and exterior turn every stay into a wonderful experience. Not in the least because of its historic setting that reflects the original XVI century.
# An excellent place for families: relaxation or activity.
# The atmosphere is unpretentiously luxurious; we felt at home right from the start.
