Masseria Augusto

Masseria Augusto is a historic Puglian farmhouse estate in the Salento countryside, between Lecce and the Ionian coast at Porto Cesareo. Its walls are pale pietra leccese, the local stone, polished to a soft finish. Corridors are vaulted, and some ceilings still carry their original paintings, which are protected as heritage and have been restored rather than covered over. The interiors are calm and pared back: travertine floors, oak pieces by Belgian designers and very little decoration. The old wine cellar is now a private spa. You book the whole masseria for your group, with a team of staff on hand. Among the Puglia villas we represent, this is the one for large families and celebrations that want history, space and service under one roof.

Where exactly is Masseria Augusto?

The masseria is just outside Leverano, on the country road that runs from Leverano to Porto Cesareo, in the province of Lecce. Leverano is about 4 km away. The sea at Porto Cesareo is about 9 km away, and the long sandy beach at Torre Lapillo is about 11 km away. The baroque centre of Lecce is 22 km away and Brindisi is 50 km away. Ostuni and the Valle d’Itria are about 87 km to the north. The nearest airport is Brindisi-Salento (BDS), about 60 km away, which is around 50 minutes by car.

What is the house like inside?

The rooms open off stone courtyards and vaulted corridors. In the quiet room, a long oak table seats the whole group, with stools carved from tree trunks around it. A sculptural oak piece by Casimir stands at the entrance. The house has a professional kitchen, where the chef works with Salento produce and traditional recipes. Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a surround-sound system run throughout.

How are the bedrooms arranged?

All nine bedrooms have a king bed and their own bathroom. Most bathrooms have a stand-alone rain shower and a bidet. Every room has a TV and a safe. The memory-foam beds can be split into two singles if needed.

• Bedrooms 1, 3 and 5: king bed plus one single bed, double vanity, mini fridge
• Bedrooms 2 and 4: king bed plus two single beds, mini fridge
• Bedroom 6: king bed
• Bedroom 7: king bed, private entrance, Turkish bath in the bathroom
• Bedroom 8: king bed, private entrance
• Bedroom 9: king bed, private entrance, bathtub, pool view

With seven extra single beds, there is room for children in their parents’ rooms. The three rooms with private entrances suit grandparents or couples who want a little more independence.

What is the spa like?

The spa is in the masseria’s old wine cellar, under stone vaults. It has a sauna, a Turkish bath, a massage shower and a small spa pool with jets. A massage table is ready for treatments, which the spa manager can arrange during your stay.

What is outside?

The garden opens onto a very large outdoor pool with a diving board, sun loungers and outdoor furniture. There is a pergola and an inner courtyard for long lunches and dinners outdoors, as well as a barbecue, a ping-pong table and an herb garden for the kitchen. The gardens are private and gated, with private parking on site.

Is the masseria staffed?

Yes. These are included in the rate:

• A villa manager (8 hours a day) and a night porter (8 hours a night)
• A chef for breakfast, lunch or dinner (food and drinks are charged separately)
• Daily housekeeping (6 hours) and evening turndown (1 hour)
• A lifeguard at the pool (8 hours a day)
• Pool and garden care
• A welcome drink and luxury toiletries
• Linen and towels changed every three days, and a final clean
• Utilities, with electricity included up to 1,000 kWh a week

What is arranged separately?

We can arrange these for an extra charge:

• Grocery shopping delivered before you arrive
• Cooking classes, a Lecce street-food tour and an olive-oil tasting
• A yacht or sailing day, a sea-cave tour and windsurfing lessons
• Bike rental and horseback riding

What can the concierge arrange?

Our concierge team can book wine tastings in the Salice Salentino and Copertino vineyards, a guide in Lecce, beach-club days at Porto Cesareo, boat trips along the Ionian coast and private dinners at the masseria.

Who is Masseria Augusto right for?

Masseria Augusto suits multi-generation families, groups of friends and milestone celebrations of up to 25 guests. The three rooms with private entrances work well when several families share the house. It also suits groups who want good food and wellness, with a chef in the kitchen and a spa in the cellar. If you are planning a larger trip, browse our large villas and fully staffed villas.

Good to know

• Check-in is at 3 pm and check-out is at 11 am.
• Rates change with the season and are highest in July and August.
• Smoking is not allowed inside the masseria.
• The beaches are a 10 to 15 minute drive away, so a car is useful.
• Availability and rates are subject to change, and the full terms are confirmed at booking.

A few days at Masseria Augusto

Day one: You land at Brindisi and drive south through the olive groves. You have a swim before an aperitivo in the courtyard, then the chef serves dinner under the pergola.

Day two: You spend the morning in Lecce among baroque churches and stone streets, with a stop for pasticciotto. In the afternoon you go to the white sand and clear water at Torre Lapillo.

Day three: You start with an olive-oil tasting at a nearby farm. Then you have a long, lazy lunch by the pool, and you finish in the spa in the old wine cellar.