Relais Masseria Le Cesine

Came here in September as wanted to be away from it all and this is in a remote location accessible by taxi. Weather in September was mostly good apart from one day it rained. It was windier here than in the towns when we stayed. The approach to the hotel appeared to be very much in the wilderness among nature. The hotel grounds look like bunkers. At reception, the ladies were extremely helpful and nice and friendly. Were driven by buggy to our room which was nearby in the main block by the pool. The room is very spacious and clean. Comfortable sofa and has coffee/tea making facility (need to get your own milk or bring coffeemate). Small fridge available and i think we had complimentary water. Bed was huge and the rainfall walk in shower was great. Also complimentary shower gel. Only drawback for us was that couldn't open the window to stay open and it has mesh to try and control the mosquitos which got in any way. so bring repellent. Found the air con hard to control - so got too hot at night so didnt feel so good or sleep so well. At the restaurant you get allocated a table for your stay. The resort is very much for Italian families and so you get a real feel for the traditions and culture. There was anti pasti selection with veg and cheese and delicious bites but surprisingly couldn't find olives. Sometimes they had a table outside with specialities, one night was all types of mozarella cheeses some that have never had before and seem to be special to Italy. The staff in the restaurant are friendly- it is of course mostly all in Italian. For the main part of the meal, you queue up for pasta or meat or fish. All tasty if you can be bothered to queue for it. Then there is delciious selection of desserts and fruit. You help yourself from the tap to water or wine and can also have soft drinks all included. The grounds are lit up at night and there it is a pleasant walk round to the bar area where you queue again for your included coffee etc. They had a very good singer for entertainment most nights and other nights there was a show and entertainment in the outdoor amphitheatre - very good dancers. Breakfast you can queue for proper coffee or get some from the machine. They have scrambled egg bacon cheese pastries etc. but not much selection in yoghurt. Some antioxidant lemon basil fruit waters available for health. The lunch time menu is also a large selection with meat and main dishes available for lunch and ice cream. You certainly won't go hungry. They also have pre lunch and dinner foods so could eat all day if you want ! - we seemed to miss the pizza as we went out in the afternoons but did have the focaccia and olives then and staff brought round fruit to the pool. They also had a special night laid on with stalls selling craft items and music the famous pizzica with tambourine dancing girl and guitar players. This was a real taste of the culture and special foods and punch was laid on. So we were introduced to some of the flavour of the area. We were encouraged to participate in the dancing which was fun. One night we ate the a la carte meal which is usually in the masseria but was instead this time next to the restaurant which was a bit cold and souless. However, the waiter was very professional and the menu was typical flavours of the area which were quite rich and tried orichetti so it was an education. During the days found the music round the pool quite loud and repetitive. so we went to the beach on the shuttle bus which is frequent and works well. The beach is nice with soft unusual black and gold sand. There is a walkway to the hotels section of the beach . They have brilliant loungers here and round the pools as well really comfortable with adjustable canopy shade which is great if you are reading. quite windy when we were there so couldnt swim in the sea but very refreshing and good for ones wellbeing. There were lots of kite parasailers which was interesting to watch. Can walk along away from hotel section to rock pool area or the other side to end of beach but be careful as found some needles near to where the kite surfer people were so probably best to stay by the hotel section which is manned by lifeguards and raked regularly. Nice sand dunes and also beach bar from the hotel. Can order lunch the day before to have at the beach and you get ham and melon, rice salad and tuna salad which is delicious and plentiful. Elevenses at the beach get fruit and also the special bread and tomatoes of the region. Back at the hotel there is the main pool and baby pool. The main pool is shallow at the ends and has a ledge to sit by the water massagers which is lovely. There are lots of activities and programme for stretching, dance. zumba and aquafit, the day i felt i could join in was Sunday which is the only day they don't do it ! The acitivites staff are very friendly and try to get you involved. There is a shop on site but doesn't sell postcards or stamps just some clothes toiletries and pasta and souvenirs. ] On the first day it rained and was cloudy so took the opportunity to explore the masseria area. There amongst the olive groves and nature they have an eco gym which was fun to do and has the option of a few levels. I loved the masseria area so quiet and peaceful and particularly liked to spend the evenings here watching the sunset by the quiet pool it was one of my favourite parts of the holiday. There is a drinks station here to help yourself and loungers and ones with curtains to feel secluded. Here is also the spa area. We availed ourselves of the complimentary spa sauna and shower treatment and tea which was very relaxing. Later i also treated myself to a half hour intense back massage which was brilliant, they make you feel at ease and i felt really good afterwards. Also really enjoyed hiring a bike although as i only used it about an hour this was free and the reception helped to pump up the bike and adjust it for me which was really nice and helpful. Haven't been on a bike for years and had a great time cycling around the hotel area along the quiet lanes and road wind in my hair. We were assisted with trips in the reception and this worked out very cheap by sharing with some really lovely couples the transport from the hotel. We went to Lecce to explore the baroque town and also to Otranto, a coastal town both intersting and beautiful places. In Otranto, they include for the hotel guests a boat trip on a catamaran which is lovely round the coast and get to stop and swim in a beautiul bay. (only thing would need a comfort stop beforehand, it was a bit rushed getting onto the boat). If i was going to come back would probably stay in the masseria area as it was so peaceul and lovely and also had some of the old farm features like the threshing floor although where we were was easy to access the dining room. In conclusion, All the staff were friendly and helpful and welcoming particularly the ladies in reception, the restaurant manager and fit programme staff. Met some really nice people. The food and climate were great and can get out and do trips, go to the beach, have spa treatment and swimming and activities at the hotel. Saw a wedding dinner table set up whilst we were there also in the hotel grounds which looked lovely. Very much an Italian families resort and so do get to get a flavour of some of the traditional food and culture of the region.

Looks like a prison from the dirt track approach road but once through the gates it is fine. Food is simple but well prepared - don't look for a "full british breakfast" but always a good selection of all courses at lunch and dinner. Rooms are spotless and all the staff super friendly. Somewhat limited on alcohol choices but there is something for everyone if you are not too rigid. I would certainly recommend a car as the only excursions were dependent on having four guests sharing a taxi. The shuttle to the private beach is regular and there is a well stocked bar there.