Masseria l’Antico frantoio

L’Antico Frantoio, or The Old Mill, is a hotel with sprawling lawns, flowering bushes in lovely shades of purple, and stone buildings decorated with rustic furnishings. The restaurant is particularly gorgeous, with a big millstone, interior arches, and terrace seating framed with white curtains. The cavernous spa has a bath with two submerged chairs built into a natural cave. The hotel’s grounds are picturesque, with a wraparound stone wall corralling cacti and olive trees. There is a yard with a swing and slide where children can play -- and the garden is lit up at night, creating an area where guests can relax and enjoy the open space.

The hotel is located in the Salento countryside, where it is surrounded by fields and situated less than one mile away from the Gallipolli coast. The village of Gallipolli, still an active fishing port with several dining options, is less than a 10-minute drive from the property. The city center of Lecce is a 40-minute drive from the hotel.

The guest rooms are fairly spacious, but look a bit barren, with light-colored stone walls and tile floors that are only slightly punched up by some sparse decor that includes colorful bedspreads and framed pictures. Rooms have desks, tea kettles, mini-bars, and small, flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms have charming basin sinks, but the showers can be on the small side. The outdoor space is more impressive, with pergola-covered front porches and big backyard gardens with seating on stone patios.

The restaurant at the L’Antico Frantoio Resort serves regional fare (including seafood and pasta) in a gorgeous, rustic building that is the former site of an olive mill. The hotel's spa features a heated swimming pool in a natural cave. The property lacks a fitness center, however. There is an outdoor garden with seating for relaxing, and a play area for children with a swing and a small slide.