Delightfully modern Masseria with views of the Adriatic. Puglia is a beautiful place and the Agriturismo Borgo San Marco is surely its equal in terms of charm. This boutique hotel was built by the Knights of Malta in the fifteenth century, the San Marco is surrounded by olive groves and vistas of the Adriatic. The raw material of the place is stunning, yet over the years, it had fallen into picturesque disrepair, until, that is, Mr Amati and family bought it in 1981. The transformation under his auspices has been stunning, and in effect, he has turned the San Marco into a delightfully modern Masseria, one which has more to offer than simply the blend of hospitality and tradition.

Yes, the typical foursquare architecture remains, but San Marco manages to go further with its bohemian atmosphere and imaginative use of space. The stables, for example, have been turned into the bar; the horses drinking troughs have metamorphosised into basins, whilst the original olive press sits in the middle of the public room. Bedrooms surrounding the former farmyard are even done in sheer Egyptian embroidered-patchwork textiles and combinations of baby-blue silk and tobacco-coloured linen.

Not all rooms are in the modern mould, however. Some are more traditional with painted iron beds and antique walnut furnishings, so the decor at the San Marco is anything if not eclectic. As with many Masserias, cuisine is an integral part of a stay here.

Guests can delight in Peppino Palmisano’s Puglia cuisine, making the Borgo San Marco a delicious place to stay in more way than one.