Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean—from Syracuse to Taormina, from Catania to Palermo—remains a melting pot of culture, cuisine, and heritage that is undoubtedly unique in the world. The often remarkable hotels seem to have sprung up out of nowhere, nestled in the heart of Baroque villages and in a countryside where Arab-Norman palaces and Roman villas are home to a significant number of luxurious and charming 5-star establishments. Although contemporary, the Adler Spa Resort stands as a prime example of the very best the island has to offer.
Adler Spa Resort Sicilia – The Concept of Eco-Architecture
Among the most beautiful 5-star hotels in Sicily, the Adler Spa Resort holds a special place. Nestled on a 13-hectare estate within the Torré Salsa Nature Reserve, overlooking the cliffs and pristine beaches of Sicily’s southwest coast, not far from Siculiana, the hotel is at the forefront of sustainable tourism. Elegant and contemporary, designed according to bio-architectural standards, it features 90 junior and family suites with ocean views, decorated with wood and stone. The restaurant’s ingredients come partly from the garden, and the wines come from the Sanoner family’s Tuscan estate, which operates in the luxury hotel industry since 1810. The spa is remarkable, and the yoga classes at sunset are unforgettable.
Adler Spa Resort Sicily
Contrada Salsa, 92010 Siculiana AG, Italy
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Villa Igiea – The Belle Époque
Villa Igiea is this exceptional Belle Époque hotel nestled in the gardens overlooking the port of Acquasanta, located north of Palermo. Completely renovated by Sir Rocco Forte and his sister, interior designer Olga Polizzi, this Art Nouveau hotel has all the hallmarks of’a castle. The gardens, filled with palm trees, pines, and tamarind trees, sway in the breeze. The 72 guest rooms and 28 suites vary in size and ambiance across the 11 categories available to travelers. From romantic evenings From the hotel’s towers to the private terraces of the ground-floor suites, which open out onto the natural surroundings. The culinary philosophy can be summed up in two words: simplicity and exceptional food quality. The raw grouper, served with sun-dried tomatoes, capers, olives, and hints of sweet-and-sour candied orange, leaves even the most discerning food lover speechless. The attentive, cordial, and remarkable staff are happy to offer advice on Palermo’s must-see spots and sometimes hidden gems. The Irene Forte Spa uses only local organic products, and being pampered by the massage therapists is like a dream come true.
Villa Igiea
43 Via Belmonte, 90142 Palermo PA, Italy
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Belmond Villa Sant’Andréa – Volcanic Beach
The Belmond Villa Sant’Andréa is nestled on a sandy beach overlooked by a steep cliff at the foot of one of Sicily’s most romantic cities, Taormina. Staying here allows you to enjoy days at the beach as well as explore the town, its culture, and its nightlife—and even venture further afield, to Savoca and Forza d’Agro—where *The Godfather* was filmed—to Syracuse, and to the slopes of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. Featuring 71 rooms imbued with Italian elegance, the Belmond also exudes the air of an English palace, with marble floors and monumental staircases, all set on the shores of the Mediterranean. It’s chic, classic, and wonderfully timeless. Guests can dine or have lunch on the terrace, breathing in the sea air and the scent of pine trees, while savoring melted goat cheese with roasted artichokes, wild fennel, fava beans, and peas. At the spa, Turkish baths and treatment rooms sit side by side, at the Belmond Villa Sant’Andréa, facing Mount Etna.
Belmond Villa Sant’Andréa
Via Nazionale, 137, 98039 Mare, ME, Italy
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Q92 – Boutique Hotel in Noto
In the heart of the Baroque town of Noto, not far from Syracuse, the Q92 is a boutique hotel A member of Small Luxury Hotels, offering remarkable views of one of Sicily’s most incredible urban landscapes. Recently opened in 2021, the hotel feels more like the private residence of a wealthy connoisseur than a place open to the public. Classical sculptures and 19th-century nudes, Venetian glass chandeliers, a living room opening onto a terrace overlooking the Duomo, and just 9 rooms make the Q92 A charming, intimate, and unique boutique hotel. The breakfasts are sumptuous, and while the focus here is on introducing guests to local cuisine through the city’s restaurants, that’s not a problem—there are so many delicious eateries in Noto. Here, guests are treated like friends—cherished and pampered. And indeed, staying at the Q92 is definitely an unforgettable experience.
Hotel Q92
Ronco Bernardo Leanti, 4/5, 96017 Noto SR, Italy
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La Foresteria Planeta Estate – Wine and Gastronomy
The vineyards of one of Sicily’s most beautiful wineries slope down toward the Mediterranean Sea, and the view of La Foresteria is simply divine. A hotel with clean lines and an infinity pool reflecting the azure sky, and finally, 14 spacious rooms with traditional wrought-iron beds opening onto lovely terraces planted with lavender and aromatic herbs. A lounge where ceramics and contemporary art blend in perfect harmony. Yet it is Sicilian cuisine and wines that guests come here to celebrate. The chef’s cooking classes and tastings of the finest Sicilian wines are truly unique experiences. The cauliflower with almond béchamel and black olive tapenade, served with candied citrus peel, is to die for. A destination reserved for epicureans of all kinds.
La Foresteria Planeta Estate
SP79, Km 91, 92013 Contrada Passo di Gurra, AG, Italy
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