Masseria Garrappa — Hotel in Monopoli

It's taken me some time to write this review for numerous reasons. We were due to stay in August for 5 nights, we arrived and were shown to our room. It was minute, like a converted store cupboard, dark with very little ventilation, a tiny bathroom and a tiny window. To say it did not look like the pictures on the website is an understatement and I have uploaded a photo so you can see for yourself. Had we only been staying for one night we would have made do, but for 5 nights it was simply not good enough. We decided to ask for a change of room, the manager was dismissive and simply said it was our opinion and was not prepared to move us despite having another room free that was slightly better than ours. We were really unhappy, I even googled flights home! Nevertheless, we went and ate in the restaurant (which was amazing) and had a lovely evening. After a poor nights sleep though we went down for breakfast which again was disappointing, the produce was all homemade however none of it was covered and there were flies around. My husband could not eat anything, I opted for a boiled egg so I knew nothing had landed on it! We went out for the day and I uploaded a picture of our room onto Facebook. Within half an hour the owner rang us and told us he wanted us to leave!! I have never been asked to leave anywhere in my life nor been subject to such appalling treatment. He said he would find us alternative accommodation and we could go there. We agreed as we felt that it could not be smaller or more cramped than our current room. We paid for the night we had stayed and left. We went to the masseria that he had suggested, there was no one there, the place was deserted so we left and found our own alternative accommodation. A few hours later I got a message from the owner via Booking.com. He had marked our reservation at Masseria Garrappa a 'no show' which then allowed him to debit my card for the payment for the remaining 4 nights of our proposed stay!!! I was angry and astounded but I didn't want to ruin our holiday any further, we'd had enough stress, I would sort it out when I got home through Booking.com. How wrong I was! Booking.com did not want to know, I had to go through my bank to claim this money back. It has taken the bank that long to refund me (I got my money back in November) they now cannot claim the money back from this man. So he took money from my card without permission but has got away with it because it took the bank so long to get to the bottom of it. It has left a real sour taste in my mouth about this holiday which is a real shame. The Masseria is undoubtedly beautiful and the restaurant is fabulous but please ensure you check which room you have been allocated as the 'fish' room is just a cupboard. Oh and don't get on the wrong side of...

We visited Masseria Garrappa out of season at the end of March. This old fortified farm, one of many Masseria in the area, provides super comfortable accommodation and is run by some of the most welcoming , smiley , kind, helpful people we have met on our travels. For most of our visit we were the only residents , it WAS out of season. However, from our arrival at 21.30, when the evening staff were all waiting for us , to cook our meal ,to the early breakfast we needed on our last morning the team were fantastic. Almost everyone speaks excellent English, the food is outstanding (evening meals are however quite expensive, but use mainly ingredients from their own grounds) The stewed beef we enjoyed one night was right up with the finest meals we've had anywhere.||We booked a cooking course on one day, you cook four courses under the watchful eyes of chef Anna Marie and then take a long lazy lunch time eating them! YUM!||Out of season the surrounding area is VERY quiet and no restaurants open until after 19.30. If you like to eat early better to eat at Lunchtime. A car is essential, though you can catch a train from Fasano, 10 minutes away to Bari or Lecce. We would not consider public transport. The Masseria is an easy 1 hour drive from Bari airport, even at night as we did.||There is a lovely walled orange garden and a small pool. You can walk to the beach, in March the beach was not good, rough seas and loads of rubbish on fairly poor sand. The beaches are largely private and charge considerably if you use them in the summer. Look to pay Euro 40-50 a day for space, umbrella and loungers.||Our visit was to see the local areas unique towns and everywhere except Lecce is within 40 minutes drive.||Our room, the circle was a good size with a small window giving a sea view in the distance. The shower failed one day but was repaired next day.||We booked directly from their website and communication via email was very prompt.||We consider ourselves a bit fussy, this place ticked every box for...

DON’T GO TO THIS MASSERIA

I made the booking over the phone to a room which was described with a newly renovated bathroom (room “cuore” = heart). When arrived in the room there were few maintenances issues as per the sink getting stuck, broken bidet handler , etc. which in my opinion it was not a big deal. However, the big NO was the shower not running as it should in a hotel room which is sold at a premium price. See attached video for demonstration. If I would have been in a hostel, I would have considered myself lucky with a bit of water… In the case of this masseria (based on how they market themself) this shouldn’t be the standard. However, I understand hotels can face maintenance issues.Thus, The reason why I’m leaving this comment is more about the hotel reaction I faced - which is unacceptable: I went to the reception to point out the challenge the receptionist comes upstairs to the bedroom to check herself instead of acknowledging the situation she insists that the shower was working fine

Eventually, I went to check the google reviews and I quickly realized how poorly the management replies to negative comments.. indeed they always have a tone of “bully teacher” trying to make a point on how the negative reviews are eventually not accurate.. well I guess this masseria staff didn’t get the memo that in hospitality you rather apologize, own it, and try to make it up to your guests. I.e. offer something complimentary / make a discount or whatever but mostly APOLOGIZE! In conclusion, I guess the real issue is with the business culture and not only around maintenance.

From my side lesson learnt: check google reviews first and don’t worry.. there are plenty of masserias in Puglia - no need to settle...