Take a peek inside art-driven luxury resort Masseria Bernardini in Salento where no detail is overlooked. The extra perk? You can take over the entire place with your whole crew through a very affordable buyout.
When choosing where to stay in Salento, there’s no shortage of Masserie. In order for a property to stand out from the rest, it has to offer something truly special. You’ll find that ‘special something’ at Art Resort Masseria Bernardini in Nardò, Salento, a luxury art resort that opened in 2005. The concept is decidedly unique to Salento: its an art-immersive resort that features works from established artists and emerging talent from the Cartiere Vannucci collection. And while the art collection curated by architect Francesco Stasi is no doubt impressive, there’s so much more that makes the property unique to Salento. What makes this property even better? Why go by yourself when you can bring your whole crew? It’s almost as if it were created with big groups in mind.
Why Art Resort Masseria Bernardini is perfect for group bookings
One way to save money and have an epic time is to book the entire art resort hotel for you and your group (from 16 to 30 people), rather than just pay for an individual room. And trust me…you save A LOT of money if you book as a group. Plus you get a ton of privacy perks and have all the amenities and services of a hotel to yourself, which means the experience is curated to your group’s personal tastes and interests.
To put it into perspective, so I don’t scare you with the idea of a buyout: For a group of 25 people you can end up paying about $143 per night each for 7 nights. Buying out the Art Resort is about $1.4K per night, which is not a lot when split up among a group. Bachelor or bachelorette getaway anyone? Wedding? Girls or guys summer trip?
Location and History
Art Resort Masseria Bernardini goes back to the 14th century and is located between olive groves, prickly pears, and cornfields. It is also conveniently located just 5 minutes from the historical city of Nardò, a city rich in baroque architecture. Masseria Bernardini was restored and remodeled by architect and owner of the Cartiere Vannucci collection, Francesco Stasi. The renovation struck a balance between old and the new. It’s a retreat and vacation getaway for those who are looking for space, privacy, light, silence, and a mix of Italian design and contemporary art all within a historical Masseria.
Art Resort Masseria Bernardini actually functioned like a true masseria until 1989. The workers here used to make fresh ricotta and other cheeses, tend to the olive groves you see surrounding you for miles, and more. As my mom and I parked our car, we made our way through the winding and vast terrace space towards our room.
The Suites
It’s hard to define Art Resort Masseria Bernardini. It’s not a bed and breakfast, it’s not a hotel, it’s not a boutique hotel or agritourism…it’s what the owner defines as a Home and More. Masseria Bernardini is meant to feel like one’s own home, while offering the additional luxury amenities and services that are only available on vacation. Art Resort Masseria Bernardini is made of apartments each with their own living room, dining room, and kitchen. Making it perfect for big group getaways looking to be together yet still have their own privacy. It’s a retreat in the heart of it all.
Our suite was located at the entrance of Art Resort Masseria Bernardini. Each suite offers a different art experience, so you can’t go wrong with your choice. The only true difference among the rooms is the color tone and artwork. My suite had vaulted ceilings that were so dramatic I felt as if I was staying in a cathedral. However, the suites vastness was balanced by warm furnishings and colorful tones. It included a fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a private outdoor sitting area. Getting out of bed in the morning was a struggle. I woke up in the morning to pure silence.
Rooftop Terraces
There are two terraces with views over the countryside and small prickly pear, citrus, and olive grove gardens plotted throughout the property. The first rooftop terrace consists of a pergola with a private curtain, where you can enjoy a meal or get a massage at any point of day.
We went up to the second, higher roof terrace. I took a seat in the art installation on the rooftop and watched as the sunset into the distance. The pool below lied motionless, reflecting sharply the clouds overhead. Indescribable tints and streams of blue and pink appeared and faded as the sun sunk low behind the olive grows in the distance. The greens of the fields and groves were no longer green. The hues kept changing. It was beautiful.
Breakfast
As part of all stays at Art Resort Masseria Bernardini, breakfast is included. I woke up, buzzed the staff to let them know I was awake and placed my coffee order, and proceeded to get ready for my day. By the time I stepped outside the table was already made up and ready to go with all my breakfast necessities laid out in a casual, yet stylish spread.
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The breakfast consists of typical Lecce regional delicacies: A local pastry called pasticciotto, fresh and local seasonal fruit, homemade jam, homemade almond pastarelle biscuits, freshly baked bread, fresh ricotta and prosciutto, and homemade crostata or tart. If you know me, I’m now going to take a brief moment to talk about my favorite part of any and all breakfasts–the pastries.
I had my first pasticciotto in the town of Nardò, just 5 minutes away. Prior to checking-in to Art Resort Masseria Bernardini, we stopped by a torrefazione artigianale for a local caffè leccese and local pastry, pasticciotto. That’s when my love affair for both the coffee and pastry began. I had both the coffee and the pastry almost everyday during my road trip to Puglia, they were insanely addicting and delicious! Having a pasticciotto for breakfast in the Salento area is a staple. It is the equivalent of eating a brioche or croissant for breakfast in any other part of Italy or France.
Pasticciotto is a wide, thick, brick shaped baked good filled with an abundant pastry cream filling. Thinking back…I only now realize I never took a picture of the inside of the pasticciotto to share with you all. What a shame…the warm, melting pastry cream inside is making my mouth water just thinking about it. Like I said, I had one of these every day when in Puglia and I did not regret it. Just don’t look up the recipe for how the traditional pasticciotto is made prior to your trip or you’ll think twice before consuming as many as I did. But again: no ragrets–not one single letter as Scotty P from the movie We’re The Millers would say.
The pasticciotto was accompanied by pastarelle, biscuits that were once made in old masserie like Art Resort Masseria Bernardini for families to enjoy. Everyone in the Salento region makes pastarelle biscuits differently, so there is no set recipe. They are classic biscuits served for breakfast meant to be dipped in milk, coffee, and tea. The biscuits would be made and prepared at home and then brought to a bakers hop to be baked in wooden ovens. Ours had an almond flavor to them. They were super light and crunchy when dipped into my cappuccino.
While breakfast is the only meal included, Art Resort Masseria Bernardini is equipped to serve all your needs at any time. They can put together a platter for 18 euro, which includes local delicacies like friselle, salads, local cheeses and mozzarella with prosciutto, and seasonal fruit. If you seek a beverage during the day, they can make you fresh squeezed juices, different types of coffee, and teas. You can even book a private dinner on property. The dinner can be served to you in your suite or in the communal spaces, like the courtyard or terrace. They have plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options to address all your groups dietary requirements.
The Courtyard
After breakfast, I spent some time getting lost in the small intricacies of the courtyard. I could spend hours wandering about. Every angle had a different perspective, a different plant, a different energy. It almost felt like I was in a completely different property at some points, that’s how vast the property is. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself in my pictures below.
The outdoor space can entertain a large crowd. Amid the olive groves are speakers so you can listen to music no matter where you are on the property. So while you may feel far away from your group, you still feel connected to one another. The décor throughout is boho farmhouse style.
When walking around the property, I noticed sea shells and in some of the walls. I later found out that those were the original property’s walls so it was common to find fossilized materials on them. The newer more renovated walls on the other hand do not have them.
The Communal Living Room
The communal living room is located behind sliding doors in front of the pool area. I slide open the doors to reveal a tastefully decorated bright and airy room with a European ‘chicness’ to it. Amenities include cable TV, phones, an intricate book selection, fireplace, and more. The same dramatic, cathedral-like vaulted ceilings from my suite created ample space and light within the living room.
Swimming Pool
While on property you can choose to do everything or nothing. You can embrace every passing moment through on and off-site local experiences and wellbeing services such as kundalini meditations, massages, reiki, watsu, gastronomic tours, bike rentals, and more. Alternatively, you can choose to take time to relax and recharge with friends and loved ones–I chose the latter since I’m always on the move! During the day, the cold, glistening pool attracts its heated guests like bees to a honey pot. If the idea of dipping into an ice-cold pool plunged in the beautiful Salento Italian countryside during the warm summer months doesn’t tempt you at Art Resort Masseria Bernardini, I don’t know what will.
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I decided to the spend the morning lolling by our private pool, away from the crowded beaches of Salento, before our afternoon excursion to Gallipoli. My skin was tanned a warm golden beige from my past month in the sun in Italy. I took a nap, listened to another couple seated a few loungers from us, read a few fashion magazines, and dove into the pool whenever the sun started to prick my skin. I wish I could stay there forever.
Everywhere I looked, my eyes were treated to magnificent olive groves, prickly pear trees, and yellow, purple, and white wild flowers among the many beautifully flowers and plants that surrounded the pool and its limestone grounds. The prickly pear trees were my favorites. Mainly because of their unique shape–those large pads and copious spines coupled with the lovely yellow, orange, and red-colored fruits.
Before making my way from the pool to my room, I stopped by one of the many seamlessly integrated, yet conveniently-placed, outdoor showers. They’re so well camouflaged into the stone walls, they’re easy to miss, but that’s the point. The shadows of the olive groves coupled with the lush greenery create a serene spa-like atmosphere. Yes, Art Resort Masseria Bernardini’s pool area is glorious, to say the least.
A Sneak Peak Into More Rooms…
Before leaving Art Resort Masseria Bernardini, I asked Barbara, the property manager, to show me the remaining rooms so I could get a better sense of how each one is unique. The tour did not disappoint. Some rooms were two floors, while other rooms had larger dining areas or a loft space above the kitchen. There was something for everyone. One of my favorite details was an old suitcase opened and tilted on the side to reveal hangers and small cabinets.
After spending a few days at Art Resort Masseria Bernardini I realized, why stay in a hotel when you can rent an entire Apulian masseria with your friends or group? The property offers a unique experience and unconventional luxury for guests that upholds the resort’s dedication to art and wellbeing. It’s a Home and More…and booking it as a group means you can afford that dreamy, perfectly restored 14th-century masseria you’ve been eyeing on Instagram with the pool and views of rolling olive groves starting at just $140 per person per night.
Rooms start at €220 p/night.
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Art Resort Masseria Bernardini. All opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.
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