Rocco Forte Hotels to Open Masseria Del Cardinale in Puglia in 2028
Scheduled to open in 2028, Masseria del Cardinale will bring 86 rooms and suites, a spa, and new dining spaces to Fasano.
Photo: Henrique Ferreira / Unsplash
Rocco Forte Hotels has confirmed its second property in Puglia, Masseria del Cardinale, scheduled to open in 2028 in Fasano. The estate, secured through a lease agreement with PGIM’s real estate business, Re.vo, and Dekus as development partner, sits in the Itria Valley, one of the region’s most visited areas for its landscapes, olive groves, and proximity to historic towns including Ostuni, Cisternino, and Alberobello.
The project follows the 2019 debut of Masseria Torre Maizza and continues the group’s steady growth across Italy, a priority that Sir Rocco Forte addressed during a briefing on Tuesday at ILTM Cannes.
“A luxury customer is looking something different, something distinctive, not cookie cutter,” he said. “They want to have personal service and experiences.” That focus has shaped much of the group’s recent development activity, including new Italian projects in Milan, Sardinia, and Naples, and now an expanded footprint in Puglia.
Masseria del Cardinale will open with 86 rooms and suites, restaurants, a bar, event and meeting spaces, an Irene Forte Spa, and a large outdoor pool. The renovation will be led by Olga Polizzi, the company’s deputy chairman and director of design, working with Luigi Fragola Architects, a Florence-based studio known for hospitality restorations in heritage settings. While design details have not yet been released, Polizzi’s previous work across the brand suggests an emphasis on regional materials, the integration of existing architectural elements, and layouts that balance historic character with contemporary functionality.
The upcoming property joins a pipeline that the Forte family has described as intentionally paced but increasingly active. “Our family is involved in the day-to-day of every detail of the business,” said Lydia Forte. Her comments reflect a broader approach that prioritizes individualized service, wellness programming, and food-and-beverage concepts shaped by local context, all elements that will likely feature prominently once Masseria del Cardinale’s full plans are released.
The location places the hotel within easy reach of major attractions in southern Puglia. Fasano sits between the Adriatic coast and the trulli villages of the interior, with Brindisi Airport roughly 45 minutes away and Bari Airport just over an hour. The Itria Valley’s agricultural estates, whitewashed hill towns, and coastline have made it one of Italy’s most in-demand leisure regions in recent years, particularly among travelers seeking converted masserie with larger suites, private outdoor space, and access to beaches and countryside drives.
With design work underway and the lease agreement in place, the hotel moves into its next phase of development ahead of a confirmed 2028 opening.
