Masseria Torre Maizza, a Rocco Forte Hotel

The course sits within the estate: a nine-hole executive, par 27, of 1,150 metres, framed by ancient olive and almond trees, with multi-level greens and views out to the Adriatic. Next to it is a full practice area: driving range, putting green, pitching green and a practice bunker. Several room types, from Superior rooms to two-bedroom suites, can come with a view of the course.

To be clear, this is a short layout for working on iron play and the game around the green, not an 18-hole championship course. Neighbouring Masseria Torre Coccaro also promotes the same nine holes to its guests, under the name Coccaro Golf Club. For the longer courses in the area, see the list of nearby courses below.

The masseria began in the 16th century as a watchtower against Ottoman and Saracen raids. Rocco Forte Hotels restored it and opened it as a hotel in 2019, and the Michelin Guide has awarded it two Keys.

According to the hotel's factsheet, the 51 rooms break down into 20 bedrooms, 14 junior suites and 17 suites, all designed by Olga Polizzi, Sir Rocco's sister and the group's design director: hand-embroidered linen, warm timber, Trani stone bathrooms and the original vaulted ceilings. Some suites have a private plunge pool. Borgo degli Ulivi is a separate compound sleeping up to 22 guests, with four Grand Suites, each with its own garden and pool.

Carosello fills the former stables, with high whitewashed ceilings and wooden pews; the seasonal Apulian menu is by Fulvio Pierangelini. In summer, dinner moves under a pergola with live music. The Bougainvillea bar sits beneath the arches of the old barn, with a fire for cooler evenings, and a rooftop bar catches the sunset.

The Irene Forte Spa occupies a restored olive mill and opens daily from 10am to 8pm, with a Technogym gym and a beauty salon. The pool measures 20 by 14 metres. For the sea, a hotel shuttle runs to Lido Bambù at Capitolo, south of Monopoli.

The Rocco Forte Kids programme covers three age groups, 0–3, 4–12 and 13–16, with a children's check-in, kids' menus and 24-hour babysitting on request, for a fee. The Family Junior Suite, at 120 m², has two separate bedrooms. The spa, however, is open only to guests aged 13 and over.

• Shooting-star nights: the hotel runs stargazing evenings with experts from Bari's PASCAL Observatory.
• A turtle called Olivia: every Rocco Forte hotel has an animal mascot for children, and here it is a cuddly sea turtle handed to young guests.
• A taste of Sicily: the botanicals in the spa's skincare come from the organic farm at Verdura Resort, the group's golf resort in Sicily.
• An herb walk: one of the hotel's experiences is a stroll through the estate's aromatic plants, ending with an infusion made from the same herbs.