Contrada Casello Cavuzzi, Polignano a Mare, Italy | (888) 551-4925
Spectacular views of vineyards, olive groves, and the sea
Stunning pool with chic white sunbeds and pretty sunbrellas
Large on-site spa with zen-like indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and Turkish bath
Free car sharing for guests
Free traditional Italian and English breakfast buffet served on roof terrace
On-site restaurant features traditional Apulian dishes and specialty breads, using olive oil and vegetables grown on site
Excellent wine cellar and sommelier-led wine tours available
Great location for festive destination weddings
Free bike rental
Business conference services available
Remote location that is not convenient to tourist attractions
Wi-Fi can be spotty in rooms
Double check bill upon departure, as mystery charges have been known to accrue
Events are often booked in public areas, and may create noise issues
The 48-room, upscale boutique Borgobianco Resort & Spa overlooks the Itria Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The traditional Apulian architecture creates a relaxing haven, with its brilliant whitewash and stone buildings surrounded by olive trees, cacti, and bright flowers, coupled with the full-service spa. The resort produces vegetables, fruit, and olive oil for their on-site restaurant, La Torre del Borgo. Rooms are pure white, right down to the flat screen TVs and espresso machines. The location is remote so renting a car is highly recommended to get around, though the property does offer free bike rentals. Other lodging options in the area are bed and breakfasts, which offer lower rates, but fewer amenities. Guests willing to sacrifice a bit of luxury should check out the Tra le Mura and the Santo Stefano, two local B&Bs where prices run about half as much as those at the Borgobianco.
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Scene
An old farmhouse turned luxury inn with beautiful grounds
The Borgobianco Resort and Spa is an old farmhouse transformed into an upscale inn carved out of limestone. It features thatched roofs, stone terraces, and spectacular views of the Itria Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The hotel has completely white walls, complemented by rugged stone floors, and pops of jewel tones in lamps, pillows, and vases. Even the inside of the elevator has whitewashed walls and a stone floor -- an example of the exquisite attention to detail that gives the hotel its charm.The lobby has large arched windows offering gorgeous country views, cushy beige couches with emerald accent pillows, and a large vase filled with white umbrellas by the front door. There are several spacious terraces, and breakfast is served under a beamed roof on the uppermost one. The restaurant is elegant, with white tablecloths and lovely purple chairs. In the bar, there are cozy couches clustered around fireplaces, a huge flat screen TV, books and magazines to borrow, and, again, views of the beautifully landscaped grounds, cactus gardens, winding pathways, and bright flowers. It's no surprise that many of the guests are couples on holiday.
Location
On a hill, overlooking vineyards, olive groves, and the sea
The Borgobianco Resort & Spa is located in the Bari province, near the cliffs of Polignano and the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Spectacular views of the water and the Itria Valley include vineyards and olive groves. The resort sits high on a cliff, accessible by a gravel country road. The airports at Bari and Brindisi are less than an hour's drive away. A car is necessary to seriously explore the area (the resort offers a free car sharing service). The Borgobianco is 15 minutes by car from the village of Polignana a Mare, and the Costa Dei Trulli, where visitors can tour sea caves. Museo Pascali, the only museum of contemporary art in Apulia, is also 15 minutes away, and the trulli of Alberobello -- a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its unique traditional houses -- is 30 minutes away.
Rooms
All-white decor, with private balconies, scrumptious minibar selection, and luxurious bathrooms
Rooms at the Borgobianco Resort & Spa are decorated completely in white, from walls to linens, to the flat-screen TVs, sound systems, and Illy espresso machines. Stone floors give the rooms a rustic feel, like an old country house. Every room has a private balcony -- some with sunbeds, and some shaded. Beds are extremely comfortable, and the location is quiet, perfect for a good night's sleep. Minibars are stocked with little jars of nuts, great chocolate, and other delicacies. Bathrooms have heated towel racks, shower/tub combos (the tub portion is deep enough for soaking), and high-end toiletries. Free Wi-Fi is offered, but is spotty in the rooms.
Features
Car sharing, full-service spa, yoga classes, and outdoor movies
The Unica Spa at the Borgobianco Resort is a blissful retreat, offering massage and beauty treatments, as well as a zen-like indoor pool with a fountain and sunbeds, a whirlpool, a sauna, and a Turkish hammam. The fitness center is bright and spacious, but has few machines. Iyengar yoga is offered for an additional fee. Free breakfast is served on an outdoor terrace, and the restaurant sources ingredients from an on-site garden. Fig trees, and other fruit trees, for example, are harvested for fresh squeezed juices. Wedding planners are available to plan guests' events, while evening entertainment includes outdoor movies. The pool is beautifully landscaped with cacti and olive trees, and sits next to a poolside bar. Conference rooms, as well as a business center, are also available.
