Our Honeymoon Stay at Masseria Santo Scalone, Puglia: An Honest Review
Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
There’s something special about ending a once-in-a-lifetime celebration somewhere that feels like a deep exhale. After the whirlwind of our wedding in the Ostuni countryside in June 2025, we traded the joyful chaos of family and friends for three slow, unhurried days at Masseria Santo Scalone, a hideaway between Ostuni and Carovigno in the heart of Puglia.
It was the start of our honeymoon, our post-wedding wind-down: time to slow our pace, take in what had just happened, and soak up a little more of southern Italy before moving on.
Best For
honeymoons
We Stayed
3 nights
Don’t Miss
dinner
The short answer: yes, Masseria Santo Scalone is worth it for a honeymoon or slow countryside stay near Ostuni. It’s a small, 19-room masseria with stone-walled junior suites, a pool among olive trees and vineyards, horses on the grounds, and an outstanding four-course dinner. It’s about 20 minutes from Brindisi Airport and Ostuni; you’ll want a car.
Arriving at Masseria Santo Scalone
We left Masseria Grieco after saying goodbye to our guests and drove about fifteen minutes to Santo Scalone. (It was the third of the three masserie we stayed at in Puglia.) From the moment we stepped through the gates, we knew we’d chosen well: stone walls framed by vineyards, olive trees, and horses, a courtyard dotted with burnt-orange furniture and umbrellas, and the faint scent of jasmine. Check-in was warm and personal, with a glass of welcome prosecco and the best taralli of the whole trip.
The Rooms: Our Junior Suite
We stayed in one of the spacious junior suites, a perfect balance of rustic charm and understated luxury. Stone walls and arched ceilings give it that authentic Puglian feel, while crisp white linens, thoughtful lighting, and a beautiful walk-in shower make it supremely comfortable. Of all three masserie we stayed in, Santo Scalone had the coziest bed by a considerable margin.
The back door opened onto a private terrace where we caught the evening breeze, and the front patio became our unofficial cat sanctuary; the property cats were frequent and very welcome visitors.
The Pool and Grounds
If the masseria is your home, the pool is its heart. Ringed by cushioned loungers and cabanas, it became our favorite place for a late morning or a pre-dinner swim. The water was crystal clear, exactly what you want in Puglia’s early-summer heat.
The grounds are generous. I wandered up the drive to where the vineyards sprawl and the masseria’s beautiful horses roam. Even with 19 rooms, it was hard to run into many people, with so many corners to spend your time.
Dining at Masseria Santo Scalone
Dinner on our first night was a highlight: a four-course Apulian meal included in the room package we booked. The seasonal menu felt like a love letter to Puglia: fresh pasta and risotto, local seafood, garden vegetables, and lovely desserts. We ate slowly in the outdoor dining area at the back of the property, lingering over every bite and glass of red wine.
Dinner for two, at last.
Breakfast came with the same attention to detail: homemade pastries, local cheeses, fresh fruit, and delicious cappuccinos. And the lunches in the dining room rotated with whatever the chef had that day. We’re big spaghetti alle vongole lovers, and it was fun to try a few variations.
Not staying? You can still book dinner at Santo Scalone’s restaurant. Arrive early for a cocktail in the courtyard.
Exploring Nearby
We were tempted to stay put the whole time, but on our last full day we took a half-day trip to Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” wandering golden Baroque streets, ordering yet another plate of spaghetti alle vongole, and lingering over spritzes in sunny piazzas. The front desk had great tips on parking, lunch, and which churches not to miss. For a guide, a food and architecture tour of Lecce on Viator takes the logistics off your hands.
The masseria is also a short drive from Ostuni, Carovigno, and several Adriatic beaches. For a longer trip, my guide to things to do in Puglia covers the highlights, and a Puglia cooking class or wine tour in the Valle d’Itria make easy half-day add-ons.
Is Masseria Santo Scalone Worth It?
For a romantic escape in Puglia, whether a honeymoon, an anniversary, or a slow, restorative trip, it’s a truly special choice. It offers something a little different from the region’s bigger masserie: a more intimate atmosphere, exceptional food, and grounds that feel lived-in rather than staged.
Deciding between Santo Scalone and Masseria Le Torri? Santo Scalone is more secluded and countryside; Le Torri sits closer to the sea. Both are worth it; it depends on your pace. After a week of celebrating, Santo Scalone was exactly what we needed.
Know Before You Go
Location: Just outside Carovigno, about 20 minutes from both Brindisi Airport and Ostuni. A lovely base for the Valle d’Itria, the coast, and Lecce.
Getting there: Fly into Brindisi, or take the train from Rome or Naples (my guide to train travel in Italy walks you through it), then pick up a car.
Rent a car: The staff can arrange transfers, but your own wheels mean beach days and countryside drives. My guide to driving in Italy covers what to know.
When to go: Late May through early October. June (when we went) and September are the sweet spots.
What to Pack
Light, breathable linen for warm days, a soft layer for evenings, a swimsuit you love, and comfortable shoes for cobblestone towns. My Euro summer outfits collection on ShopMy has everything I’d bring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is Masseria Santo Scalone?
Just outside Carovigno in Puglia, between Ostuni and the Adriatic coast, about 20 minutes from Brindisi Airport and from Ostuni.
How many rooms does Masseria Santo Scalone have?
19, which keeps it small and calm even when full.
Can you eat at Masseria Santo Scalone if you’re not staying there?
Yes, the restaurant takes outside reservations for dinner. We had the four-course dinner included in our room package, and it was a highlight of our stay.
Is Masseria Santo Scalone or Masseria Le Torri better?
We stayed at both in June 2025. Santo Scalone is more secluded, in the countryside near Ostuni; Le Torri is closer to the sea, near Polignano a Mare. Choose by the pace you want.
You’ll leave slower, softer, and already wondering when you can come back.
If you want a romantic, peaceful base in Puglia, whether you’re arriving fresh from a wedding, beginning a honeymoon, or simply craving a few days of real stillness, Santo Scalone delivers in a way that’s hard to put into words. Time moves differently here. A morning disappears into a slow breakfast and a long swim, and somehow that’s exactly enough. The staff remember your name, the food tastes like someone’s grandmother made it, and the landscape makes everything feel a little more beautiful than when you arrived.
Planning the rest of the trip? Start with where to stay in Puglia and 10 things to do in Puglia. The full story of how we fell for this corner of Italy is in our destination wedding in Puglia, and our Italian honeymoon itinerary carries on through Positano, Florence, and Rome.
Book Masseria Santo Scalone
Pin It for Later
