Don Ferrante - Dimore di Charme

We wanted to stay in Monopoli even though we were aware that February is very much low season on the coast of Puglia. We knew that many restaurants, shops, and hotels and resorts would be closed, which was definitely true. The Don Ferrante was one of the few that stays open in February, and we were pleased that we found it.

The Don Ferrante rooms are all in the old town where driving is not allowed, so their manager made arrangements for us to park in a free, safe lot that was a five minute walk from the hotel. They meet guests at the parking lot, and transport guests and luggage to the hotel by golf cart or small van. Very convenient and easy - except that we got lost on the way into town and did end up in the LTZ (limited traffic zone). With the help of text messages from the hotel, and the Italian gesturing of a kindly local man, we eventually worked our way out of the narrow winding pedestrian walkways and found our way to the parking lot, where we were promptly picked up and delivered to the hotel.

We booked a superior double room which overlooked pedestrian walkways in the old town. The weather was very pleasant so we kept our juliet balcony window open so we could enjoy the chatter and the views of the passersby. The charming room had a pretty chandelier and a gorgeous vaulted ceiling made of the local stone. The bed was very comfortable. The bathroom had a double sink and a wonderful shower. Very clean and comfortable. We did have to climb a few steps to get to our room but that was fine. They carried our luggage for us.

Because it was the off season, the Don Ferrante restaurant was not open at all, so we had to fend for ourselves for breakfast. (That is the only reason we gave it four stars instead of five.) There was only one nearby place that we could find that was open for breakfast, about a five minute walk away. And there were only a few nearby restaurants open for dinner. And very few open shops. Nevertheless, the hotel is in a perfect location for walking along the seaside. We could see that Monopoli would be a fun and pretty place to stay in the summer when everything is open. It seems to be a popular vacation spot for Italians, and unlike in larger Italian cities, many of the friendly locals speak limited English, which makes it a great place to practice a little Italian!

All in all, a lovely stay.

What a lovely setting and helpful staff! We stayed here several nights, enjoying their rooftop restaurant which offered an excellent menu and gracious service, in addition to their bar/lounge setting as well. Their small garden and pool overlooked the sea, and the rooms were spacious and comfortable.

Our two night stay in the Carlos V suite was simply amazing!
Loved everything about the suite, loved the water views from our balcony, loved the breeze. I loved the amazing shower options and huge bathroom.
We enjoyed our little terrance on the top floor very private.
We loved that our suite was away from the main hotel, it was only a short walk along a beautiful waterfront.
Breakfast was in the main hotel - good coffee and a nice selection of both hot and cold dishes from a buffet.
We enjoyed drinks at the rooftop bar - beautiful water views.
We would highly recommend Don Ferrante and would love to spend more time in Monopoli, definitely a highlight of our time in Puglia.
Thank you to the helpful staff who helped us navigate the streets to arrive to the hotel, we were so lost and they rescued us. Tip: have the hotels WhatsApp number in your phone prior to arrival.

Our stay at Don Ferrante was absolutely magical. The hotel is perched on the cliffs of Monopoli’s old town, with stunning views over the Adriatic and a beautifully restored historic charm throughout. The atmosphere is peaceful and elegant, and the location couldn’t be better for exploring the town on foot.
The suite we had was amazing – spacious, stylish and full of character. The bathroom was a real highlight, with beautiful finishes and a luxurious feel. The bed was incredibly comfortable, making it hard to leave in the mornings.

The staff were warm, professional and attentive, making us feel truly looked after from the moment we arrived. Everything about our stay felt special, and we wouldn’t hesitate to return.

Beautiful, unique hotel with rooftop bar and restaurant. Beautiful location with water views and so close to restaurants, shops and historical sites. The breakfast was an amazing Buffett and the staff was so kind and helpful.

Nice property....not five star. It seems most of the complaints are about rooms and their location. If you decide to select this hotel, choose your hotel room carefully. We had the small room in the main building...the sea view was fabulous BUT it was impossible for 2 people to comfortably move around. Also, the restaurant was right above our room with the stairway adjacent, with the noise penetrating our room and lacking a sense of privacy. The pool area is lovely, but the pool is not heated and seating is limited...we were unable to sit around pool with 2 other couples present. Breakfast was good and the drivers (golf cart) who bring you back & forth to car outside city center are polite and helpful.

Such a beautiful hotel. Set right on the water in the old town, the hotel has several buildings. we stayed in the town house a block from the main building and loved it. A beautiful room and service was outstanding.

Not a helpful hotel. I was delayed and they were not helpful other than trying to charge me double if I moved the date. A smug and superior attitude was a facade to a blunt commercial approach without the softness, courtesy and consideration that hospitality should embellish.

This place feels like heaven on earth ! We stayed with our son in Suite Madia, which was very comfortable, very clean, a lovely suite with a rooftop terrace and lovely views ! The service was overall impeccable, always with a smile, how it should be, wonderful service. Both breakfast and the lovely dinner we had on the terrace were TOP ! The only regret we had is that we only stayed for 1 night but we can't wait to return to Don Ferrante next year.

We have stayed at waterfront hotels in the past, and this is one of the nicest we have experienced.
We had the Don Ferrante suite, which has an oceanfront view from the veranda. Beautiful views! Very large and comfortable. The one downside to this room is it is directly below the rooftop restaurant where there is a lot of noise.
The hotel is in a great location in Monopoli, with easy walking to everything the town offers.
The staff was friendly and helpful with arranging tours, etc.
The pool area is rooftop and small, but the ocean is so close it didn't matter.
We experienced a very nice stay.

We’ve had an incredible holiday staying at Carlos V suite in an annex building just down the lungomare from the main boutique hotel.
We had our own rooftop terrace with sun beds and chairs and a Juliet balcony to watch people go by during the evening whilst drinking primitivo wine.
All the hotel staff were very welcoming, friendly and helpful and the food at their restaurant was outstanding.
Monopoli is a perfect base to stay and hire a car to take you to other quaint historic towns such as Polignano a mare, Ostuni and Alberobello. We took the train from monopoli to Leece for the day too.
We particularly loved Monopoli and the daily 3 minute walk to breakfast was enjoyable.
We certainly recommend staying at Don Ferrante and in the Carlos V suite as it had everything we needed.
Monopoli has many bars and restaurants too and is a very picturesque old town, next to the Castello.
We will return again one day . Thank you so much

A truly wonderful hotel. Very charming and the staff were absolutely fantastic. The hotel is located in the old fort as well as separate apartment like rooms in other buildings in Monopoli. We stayed in one of those rooms and the other stayed in a very charming room in the old fort. Breakfast was excellent. I would definitely recommend this hotel.

We stayed at this hotel for 7 nights in June. Our room was not in the main building but was only a couple of minutes walk. The room was lovely and had a fully stocked bar with snacks. It also has a roof terrace with a very small plunge pool.

The staff were all amazing and soooo helpful, they booked all of the local restaurants for us and also the beach club which is a must and had a free shuttle bus.

The pool is small on the roof terrace of the main hotel but it is a very nice chilled area to relax and sunbathe.

Breakfast was really good, they had everything we could have wished for.

Best of all is the roof top restaurant, the food and views are incredible, we pre-booked it for our 2nd nights and ended up booking for our last 2 nights as it was the best in the area.

Would definitely go back!

Don Ferrante does not feel like a 5-star hotel - it feels more like a B&B that is trying to upgrade itself, especially given its layout and amenities. They do not have room service, but their brochure in the room says they do (it was printed in 2021, and they haven't updated it). They also charge you for flip flops (random point, but other 5-stars we stayed in in Italy did not). Rooms are a little older looking, but are clean; my bathrobe had some rips near the tag.

Parking is a nightmare; Google Maps directs you through the ZTL, aka controlled traffic zone/historic pedestrian area, so do NOT attempt to drive here, especially after 5pm. If you do, WhatsApp the hotel and tell them to meet you in near Piazza Manzoni, and someone in a golf cart will come pick you up and help you park your car. The parking team is very gracious and kind.

I'd also add that the room I booked did not explain that they were in the "Townhouse" - the hotel has 3 different properties that are not connected. Staying in the Townhouse was fine, but it was loud/street adjacent, and we had no view. I was hoping to receive a room with a view for our special occasion, but even our second room had an interior view. Again, this was not stated when I booked the rooms.

The buffet breakfast was average as other reviews have stated. The breakfast room is underground with a small patio overlooking the sea, but it's often occupied.

One highlight is the restaurant: highly recommend for the view, experience and good food. Although I think they sat all English speakers to one side of the restaurant.

Overall takeaway: good location to explore Monopoli, but not a special hotel experience.

Lovely property however if you are arriving by car because of construction almost impossible to find even with GPS. After driving around for about 45 minutes had to stop & call hotel to get us.Everything else was as advertised, nice breakfast,beautiful room and location and a friendly staff

Don Ferrante Dimora di Charme - Monopoli, Italy

REVIEW TITLE: Panoramic seafront boutique hotel in Monopoli

OVERALL RATING: Exceeded expectations. Widely considered Monopoli’s top hotel and I would agree with that. Parts were once an ancient fortress on the reef - so you are lucky enough to stay sea front - In history. This is an exquisitely appointed hotel all in cream stone inside with white accents.

REVIEWER BACKGROUND: Fortunate to travel extensively. I have done travel advising for years. We are always looking for that “magic stay” and we found it certainly here.

DATES OF STAY: 2 nights in May 2025

ROOM/S: We actually experienced 3 rooms:
Don Ciccio. Smallest double. 16 sm. Mini balcony on the sea. A lovely room but frankly, this was in our opinion too small for 2. We could not understand how we would unpack in the room - asked to switch rooms - and the hotel fortunately was able to accommodate.
Don Gaspare. 2 bedroom suite. 35 sm. Historic and huge and great for a family. Vaulted ceilings. We stayed here 1 night. No sea view.
Donna Carolina. 1 bedroom. 22 sm. Lovely with vaulted ceiling. Frontage to the pedestrian street on the front door side of the hotel. Stunning direct view from the room window to the picturesque tiny Church of Saint Vitus Martyr across the street.
In the future, I would like to experience some of the lodging in the Luxury Guest House and Luxury Townhouse also part of Don Ferrante, just 1/2 block down the street. The Suite (45 sm) with Terrace (38 am) Carlo V - in the Guest House - is stunning, sea front, and huge.

LOCATION: Perfect to see Monopoli. We could easily walk anywhere in the central old town in short order.

VIEW: 180 degree view of the sea and the town of Monopoli from the top floor terrace. Some rooms have views - some views from their amazing balconies.

BREAKFAST: Included in the room rate. In the hotel’s beautiful downstairs stone dining space with a few tables sea facing. All the normal components of a European breakfast both hot and cold. Eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pastries, dairy goods, juices, etc.

NOISE: As in a pedestrian zone, there was no street noise.

PARKING: The hotel is in a pedestrian zone so can arrange parking for its guests outside the zone. The parking is 30 euros/night for a locked covered garage just 10 minutes from the hotel. The parking attendants took our car there at check-in - and took us back there by golf cart when we were ready to leave. This worked very smoothly.

OUR BEST EXPERIENCES:
-Lunch 2 times at Locanda Don Ferrante, the hotel’s top floor terrace sea front restaurant.
-Such fun. The Locanda has a high end 4 seater golf cart that you can pre-arrange for a complimentary 30 minute drive around the streets of old Monopoli. One of the parking attendants drives the cart. Just so fun and unusual to do.
-Strolling the lovely streets of Monopoli.

Thank you exceptional Don Ferrante Dimora di Charme - and your amazing terrace restaurant.

The core hotel is very nice but the rooms that advertise as being 100m away our like getting an airBNB since you need to walk down several streets thru the city to get there. We thought they were all part of the same location. We did not feel part of the hotel and that it was easy to take advantage of hotel amenities . The bar and view are the best part of the hotel. Breakfast is very average . One of our other rooms in the hotel had a door that led to a very busy pedestrian street. Retrospectively, I should have picked a different hotel since we booked 3 rooms and hat were not close together

The Hotel Don Ferrante is an exceptional hotel. It was very clean and beautiful. We stayed in the "IL Sattano" Luxury Guest House. It was a short walk to the main building where we ate a fantastic breakfast each morning. Best of all was the over the top wonderful service from the gentleman in the breakfast area. He went above and beyond to make our stay perfect. Monopoli was a very charming town, and I can't recommend this hotel enough.

A bit difficult to find in the old city with a car. They also did not tell us that door would be locked and buzzer was not obvious. Otherwise room was wonderful in townhouse. Breakfast was terrific and Monopoli was the finest town yet on this Puglian adventure. We wished we had stayed another night. They also took care of our car and brought luggage and us to our room! Not that way for use in Matera where cost of room exceeded DFb

Clean, great breakfast , helpful staff,
Who wouldn’t like a room in a fortress
Overlooking the Adriatic?