Tenuta Cavalieri, a farm stay with a pool in Salento
Tenuta Cavalieri is a farm stay in Leverano, in Apulia's Salento, with a garden, a seasonal pool, air-conditioned rooms and free parking. It works well for couples, families and friends who want to explore the beaches and come back in the evening to a quiet spot with a garden kiosk.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Tenuta Cavalieri.
Where Tenuta Cavalieri is and how to get there
Tenuta Cavalieri is in Leverano, in the province of Lecce, in the middle of the Salento countryside, along Via Otranto. Its big advantage is the location: many guests describe it as strategic for reaching the beaches and the best-known towns in the area.
Reviews often mention Porto Cesareo, Gallipoli and Lecce as easy trips from here. You'll need a car to get around, since the estate is among the fields rather than in a town centre, but the private car park is free.
That's the idea of the place: you sleep among the greenery and go to the sea during the day.
What the rooms and spaces are like
The estate grew out of an old farmers' refuge that has been restored, and today it looks like a well-kept masseria with a large garden. The rooms have air conditioning, a private bathroom, a fridge and a flat-screen TV.
This is what the listed services include:
- Seasonal outdoor pool, with sun loungers and parasols.
- Bar and lounge, serving cocktails and snacks.
- Free private car park.
- Self-service laundry.
- Free Wi-Fi in the rooms and common areas.
Guests talk about clean, spacious rooms with every comfort. One says the pool was always available, and another describes it as set in the greenery.
What guests say
Tenuta Cavalieri has a rating of 4.7 on Google from 99 reviews, and most of the reviews I read are five stars. Three things keep coming up: the family who run it, the breakfast and the cleanliness.
- The welcome. Guests speak of a family-run place, genuine and always available, and more than one writes that they felt at home.
- Breakfast. Described as generous, different every day, with homemade cakes.
- Cleanliness. The rooms are described as spotless in several reviews.
- Value for money. One guest talks about an honest price for the location and the treatment received.
- The garden kiosk. The owners' daughters run a bar with cocktails, snacks and Apulian bombette, which is much enjoyed in the evenings.
My impression is of a place where you can relax without fuss.
What to know before booking
The most serious issue I found concerns arrival. A one-star review says there was nobody at the check-in desk when they arrived, and after wandering around they had to use an intercom and wait 15 to 20 minutes before the owner came down. It is an isolated episode among many positive opinions, but if you plan to arrive at an unusual time, let them know beforehand.
- You'll need a car. For beaches and towns, a car is practically essential.
- The pool is seasonal. If you travel out of season, don't take it for granted.
- The evening bar. Some guests mention music and a lively atmosphere in the garden. I like the idea, but anyone who wants total silence in the evening should ask first.
- Wi-Fi. It's listed for the rooms and common areas, but I can't see anything about its quality.
Who it suits
I would choose Tenuta Cavalieri for a beach holiday in Salento as a couple, with friends or as a family, or for anyone who wants a cool place to return to after the beach. The group of four friends who spent several nights here sums it up well: you head out in the morning, come back for the pool and have dinner in the garden.
It isn't the right choice if you want a hotel with a permanently staffed reception, or if you want to be on foot in a city centre. But for a relaxed stay, it's a good base.
What to do around Leverano
From the estate, Salento is within easy reach, and the reviews show it well. The most mentioned destinations are these:
- The beaches of Porto Cesareo, which some describe as Caribbean.
- Gallipoli and its coastline.
- Lecce, for a day among the baroque architecture and the old town.
- A quiet evening at the garden kiosk of Tenuta Cavalieri.
One guest writes that the most beautiful sea is a short drive away. If you want a clear idea of journey times, check the maps before setting off.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
