Guests say
Masseria Villa Gioia receives high praise for its stunning beauty, historical charm, and exceptional hospitality. Guests are enamoured by the villa's artful stone walls, high ceilings, and comfortable, spacious rooms. The outdoor pool and terraces are a highlight, providing a perfect setting for relaxation and special events like weddings. The host, Louisa, is commended for her outstanding service, enhancing stays with local recommendations and assistance.
The villa is consistently described as immaculate, with particular mention of clean bathrooms and well-maintained bedrooms, indicating a high standard of cleanliness throughout the property.
The villa is appreciated for its authentic Puglian setting and proximity to local shops and restaurants. However, some guests note the remoteness and limited taxi services, suggesting a slight inconvenience for those wishing to explore further afield.
Guests find the villa incredibly comfortable, with air-conditioned bedrooms ensuring a pleasant stay. The property accommodates large groups with ease, contributing to a relaxing experience.
The villa boasts a range of facilities including a stunning pool area, outdoor dining, and petanque. It is well-equipped for events, with in-house chefs and organised activities adding to the appeal. Some mention of newly-installed lights for nighttime play indicates ongoing maintenance and upgrades.
While the reviews are replete with praise for the host's thoughtfulness, there is no specific mention of gifts being provided to guests. Therefore, while the service is personalised and attentive, it cannot be confirmed that gifts are a standard offering.
About this property
Masseria Villa Gioia is the perfect choice for a holiday in Puglia. This vast, former palace is an absolutely beautiful property offering nine bedrooms to sleep up to 24 guests. Whether hosting a special event or simply planning a holiday with your extended family, Masseria Villa Gioia has everything you need in an idyllic country setting.
Masseria Villa Gioia is nestled within an impressive 5 hectares of private grounds dotted with fruit trees. As you approach the house through a private boulevard, you will glimpse the dazzling white palace decked with pretty purple wisteria flowers. Hailing from the late 1800s, this home is built in a gorgeous French, palatial style that works harmoniously with the verdant green garden.
Inside, the accommodation is spread over three floors and an additional annexe. Therefore, the layout is great for larger groups and offers plenty of flexibility. The ground floor is the heart of the home, where you will enter expansive living and dining rooms. If you are planning to host a birthday party or an intimate wedding here during your trip, you can organise this with the homeowners and use the incredible event space and the grounds. On the ground floor, you will also discover the fully fitted kitchen and two lovely bedrooms.
Four more bedrooms are on the first floor, boasting a welcoming living area with a grand piano. The final bedroom in the main villa is located on the second floor. In addition to the main home, Masseria Villa Gioia also has an adjoining annexe which can accommodate seven guests between the living space and two bedrooms.
Outdoors you can find a private swimming pool, many seating areas and dining tables with country views. Leading out from the garden, you also have access to the private parkland which envelops the house, the ideal place for a morning stroll. If you prefer a long hike or mountain biking, drive to the Alta Murgia National Park or head to the coast for a scenic walk.
Within 10km of the house, you can visit the town of Corato and the city of Andria, while just a little further out, there are horse riding centres, beaches, vineyards, castles and caves.
Masseria Villa Gioia is an elegant home which sits within a patchwork of fields and private parkland, which you and your party can utilise for walks and picnics. Despite the rural setting, you can find a range of villages and towns within easy reach, including Corato, 4km away and Andria, 10km away.
The closest amenities to the villa can be found in Corato, a mere 4km away by car. Corato was founded in the 15th century by Norman settlers but later came under Spanish rule. As you stroll around the bustling town, you will see the influence of these settlers on the architecture of medieval buildings, such as the wide range of historic churches. The town also offers a wealth of cafes, restaurants and shops so it is handy to have so near the villa. You can also book tours of local farms and vineyards near the town to sample the homemade wines and olive oils that the region is so famous for.
If you would like to visit a historic city packed with even more amenities and attractions, Andria is just 10km away by car. The city has a long and rich history and is packed with Byzantine and Romanesque buildings overlooking pretty piazzas. You can easily spend a whole day here getting lost in the narrow lanes which lead to atmospheric churches like the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. This is just one of the historic buildings you can visit; other highlights include the clock tower and the Ducal Palace. You can also explore many impressive caves, museums, parks and gardens outside the city centre.
One of the area's star attractions is Castel del Monte, a vast 13th-century castle constructed by Emperor Frederick II. The castle is a unesco World Heritage Centre and unique octagonal building with influences from Classical Greek and Islamic architecture. Castel del Monte is one of the most impressive in Italy and should not be missed. As it will take you roughly an hour to look around, afterwards, you could head out on a walk in the nearby Alta Murgia National Park. Both of these attractions are around 25km away from the house.
In addition to these amazing towns, cities and historical attractions, Masseria Villa Gioia is located within easy reach of Puglia’s coastline and idyllic beaches. The beautiful town of Trani is lined with numerous beaches you can visit, which are around 17km away from the villa. Here you can make the most of the fabulous climate, sunbathe on the sandy beaches, and take refreshing dips in the sea. You will find the perfect beach whether you are looking for a quiet cove or water sports.
Accommodation
Villa Interior (1300m2)
Main Villa
Ground Floor
- Entrance hall
- Event space with dining tables
- Living room with multiple sitting areas, fireplace and large Smart TV
- Dining room with table seating 16 guests
- Fully-fitted kitchen with oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, blender, toaster, kettle and coffee machine
- 2 x bedrooms each with a king-sized bed and a single bed, and an en-suite bathroom with shower, sink, bidet and WC
- Guest WC
First Floor
- Sitting room with sofas, piano and record player
- Bedroom with king-sized bed and en-suite bathroom with bath, shower, sink, bidet and WC
- Bedroom with king-sized bed and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink, bidet and WC
- Bedroom with three single beds
- Bedroom with two single beds
- Bathroom with bath, shower, sink, bidet and WC
Second Floor
- Bedroom with two single beds and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC
Annexe
- Open-plan room with kitchenette, dining table, king-sized sofa bed and single sofa bed
- 2 x bedrooms with king-sized beds and en-suite bathrooms with showers, sinks, bidets and WCs
- Guest WC
Outside Grounds (40,000m2)
- Swimming pool (12m x 5m, depth: 1.4m) open approximately April-end of October
- Vast landscaped garden within 5 hectares of grounds
- Citrus and olive groves
- Outdoor living room with sofas
- Poolside sun loungers
- Covered al-fresco dining tables
- Wood burning oven
- Barbecue
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning (featured only in the bedrooms and the event hall)
- Smart TVs
- Bose sound system
- Washing machine
- Iron and ironing board
- Fireplaces
- Piano
- Record player
- Board games
- Hairdryers
Reviews (18)
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Abby
We had the most incredible time staying at Masseria Villa Gioia for our wedding. The week was just perfect, the villa is so unique & full of character & the owners were so kind, nothing was too much trouble for Luisa, Silvana or Massimo! We’d love to go back some day!
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Abby
We had the most incredible time staying at Masseria Villa Gioia for our wedding. The week was just perfect, the villa is so unique & full of character & the owners were so kind, nothing was too much trouble for Luisa, Silvana or Massimo! We’d love to go back some day!
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Richard K
From the moment we arrived at Masseria Villa Gioia in Corato, we knew we were in for a treat. Louisa, our gracious host, made our stay exceptional from start to finish. The house itself is a historical treasure, its 230-year legacy evident in its intricate floor tiles, exposed walls, and character-filled furnishings. Each room is a nod to the family's rich history in winemaking and adds an unparalleled layer of authenticity to the experience. As a group of 18 gathering for a birthday celebration, we found Masseria Villa Gioia to be incredibly comfortable and accommodating. Despite having plans to explore the surrounding areas, the allure of the property was so strong that we spent most of our time on-site, enjoying the stunning pool area and playing petanque under newly-installed lights for nighttime play. Louisa went above and beyond to enhance our stay. She personally guided us to an amazing cheese shop for tastings and a local meat shop to buy regional produce. She was always available to answer questions and even secured us a table for 16 at a fantastic local restaurant on our last day. Her recommendations for nearby beaches were spot-on and contributed to an unforgettable experience. Each bedroom equipped with air conditioning ensured our utmost comfort throughout our five-day stay. In summary, Masseria Villa Gioia is more than just a place to stay; it’s an experience that encapsulates the beauty, history, and hospitality that one dreams of when visiting Italy. My guests and I were thoroughly impressed and left with memories we will cherish forever. Highly recommend. Five stars.