Masseria Mongiò Dell'Elefante

We stayed in this place for one full week as a family with two little kids (2.5 and 7 y.o.). It’s a tasteful boutique hotel with only a few rooms, located in a peaceful and gorgeous setting. Kids were happy on a very kids friendly and beautiful beach, and in an indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The indoor pool is part of a spa area which needs to be booked in advance by the hour, and it’s at a small charge. The beach is a short walk away through gorgeous nature. We also spent some time in the nearby town of Otranto which has nice restaurants and bars (5 min drive) and visited beautiful Lecce (45 min drive). If I could suggest anything to the management of the hotel is perhaps consider creating a tasteful (made of wood) outdoor play area for kids, as most visitors were families with small children.

We booked in for four nights through Trailfinders. The pictures in the brochure completely miss sells this hotel as a four star location. On arrival we was apparently upgraded to a room, which when entering smelt of damp. We was then moved to another room. Where do I begin. The downstairs shower was partly painted. There was mould round the shower tray. You need hiking equipment to get to get to the second floor. The whole location is a three star at best. We spent one night and have moved as we could not spend another. Please don’t be fooled by the beach location, you need to lower yourself to the beach on a rope and up again. I have been traveling for approx 40 years and this is up there with the worst location I have stayed at. As for the spa a murky room which was very unattractive in the also lack lustre reception area after 2 flights of stairs with water laying on them. This is the first time I have left a review, which gives you an idea of my sentiment towards this property.

The staff were very welcoming and friendly, especially Ivan. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained. The swimming pool was perfect, very well designed with a very shallow area to lie and sun bath. The breakfast selection great but the star of the show was the set menu dinner, we ate like kings every day. Every dish contained fish and the food was unbelievable. Great please to go for a daily run outside. Short walk to the beach too. The only downsides were no gym, and no toilets by the swimming pool however the room was only 20 second walk away !!

The beach is spectacularly beautiful. Under blue.October skies with 23C it was empty. Disregard comments on the difficulty of the path- explore further and it’s easy to arrive on the beach. Otranto is charming, don’t miss the small church of St Peter with its 9th century Byzantine frescoes. The location of Mongio is excellent for both, and the pool is large and lovely. I do need to make clear that the masseria has a nice outside terrace for dinner, lunch and breakfast. The breakfast display is downstairs, understandably to keep it fresh. To call this area a “basement" is technically accurate, but it's a large open area and very pleasant- some comments in TA are somewhat misleading. Rooms are comfortable and clean and well maintained if lacking a little charm. The food offering is very good, and the wine a real find and at very reasonable price. The entire team are friendly and helpful, if you have a question just ask. But come for the location, ＜10 minutes drive from Otranto, in the middle of nature, no developments, no high rise, and the most beautiful beach.

The property is quiet and green with a big garden of lemon and fig trees and flowers. A beautiful beach is just in 5 min walk. There is also very clean pool outside and SPA area inside. The restaurant offers extraordinary gourmet dinner. The most kind and helpful staff I have met.

We have had a wonderful 5 days stay in this authentic Masseria. The rooms are well equipped and luxurious. We stayed in Palascia. You can see the pool from our terrace but is equally private. Every member of the staff has been so friendly and we have enjoyed time with everyone. The breakfast does what it needs to. The lunch option is delightful as is the evening meal option if chosen. The location of the Masseria is a perfect distance away from the bustle of Otranto. Thank you everyone here .