Sicily is a weathered, sunlit patchwork of cultures and landscapes dominated by Mount Etna. Centuries of Greek, Arab, Spanish and Norman influences shape everything from caponata and pasta alla norma to granita breakfasts and layered architecture — from Agrigento’s ancient temples to Palermo’s Arab‑Norman cathedral and the Baroque towns of the southeast. Taormina perches over cobalt bays; Catania hums with lively markets. Vineyards and farmhouses climb the volcano’s slopes, the western coast keeps Moorish echoes, and film fans and beachgoers alike will find cinematic villages, bright sands and clear seas along Sicily’s rim.
How we chose these hotels
Each property below was evaluated by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist familiar with the region or who visited the hotel. Editors weighed a variety of price points and judged design, setting, service and sustainability. This selection has been updated since its original publication.
Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina
A storied Taormina landmark with sweeping views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, Grand Hotel Timeo evokes midcentury glamour. Its tiered gardens, elegant pool and sun-warmed terraces set a picture-postcard tone. Rooms open onto private balconies and marble bathrooms; mornings begin with granita brioche and pastries, while candlelit seafood at Otto Geleng makes for a theatrical dinner. It is a refined base a short walk from Taormina’s historic center.
Verdura Resort, Sicily
Spread across 570 acres of private coastline, Rocco Forte’s Verdura is a large-scale resort aimed at leisure and families. The compound features golf courses, a comprehensive spa and generous family facilities. The 203 rooms mix stone and wood textures with comfortable layouts and deconstructed canopy beds. Verdura suits guests seeking an upscale, almost all‑inclusive holiday, though its scale and seclusion set it apart from everyday Sicilian life.
Il San Corrado di Noto
Hidden among olive groves and citrus near Noto, Il San Corrado pairs historic stone architecture with contemporary interventions. Pools hewn from local stone, calm courtyards and scattered pool villas create a peaceful rhythm. The hotel is especially appealing to food-minded travelers, offering inventive tasting menus alongside comforting pasta dishes drawn from local tradition.
Braccialieri Val di Noto
This vibrant farm stay channels the colors and crafts of the Val di Noto with patterned tiles, textiles and a checkerboard pool inspired by traditional carts. Accommodation ranges from suites with outdoor copper baths to wood-and-canvas Eco Villas. The on-site organic farm supplies the Dodici Zappe restaurant, and the small scale ensures characterful, varied rooms and a sense of intimacy.
Country House Villadorata
Perched on a hillside of olive and citrus near Noto, Villadorata is a calm country-house retreat with 15 rooms and suites designed for slow days. Guests enjoy local cheeses and cold cuts at breakfast, lazy pool afternoons and simple, well-executed dinners in the evenings. Private pool suites and eco-suites offer seclusion and wide vistas, making it a tranquil base for exploring the southeast’s Baroque towns.
Hotel Signum
On Salina, one of the Aeolian isles, Hotel Signum occupies the remnants of a fishing village shaded by lemon trees and jasmine. The intimate rooms and terraces offer sea and island views, while the terrace restaurant showcases creative island cooking led by Martina Caruso. The mood is understated and elegant, with dramatic sunsets and volcanic panoramas.
Zash Country Boutique Hotel & Spa
Set among citrus groves at Mount Etna’s foothills, Zash reimagines a former palmento with a blend of old Sicilian charm and modern cubic villas. The main house preserves a sense of faded grandeur; the Iconic Rooms and Poolside Villas contrast lava stone and crisp contemporary lines. A spa, volcanic pools and a kitchen focused on Etna produce make it a restorative countryside escape.
Dimora Delle Balze
A restored 19th-century estate north of Noto, Dimora Delle Balze was rebuilt into a serene countryside property. Soft pastel bedrooms, stone courtyards and wrought-iron seating spill into relaxed dining areas where local pastries and rustic breakfasts are served. Terraces and a pool are integrated with the surrounding scrub and woods, offering an authentic, rural Sicilian stay.
Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel
This palm-fringed Art Nouveau villa in Palermo, originally built for the Florrio family in 1900, has been revived by Rocco Forte into an elegant seaside palace. The redesign blends antiques with contemporary furnishings, restoring the villa’s social grandeur while connecting it to Palermo’s cultural renewal. Grand public rooms, refined dining and a focus on local ingredients define the experience.
Adler Spa Resort, Sicilia
Perched above a WWF-protected stretch near Torre Salsa, Adler Spa Resort delivers contemporary thermal-spa luxury on dramatic cliffs. Steel-and-grass structures step down the slope to indoor–outdoor thermal pools. Spa programs, sea-facing saunas and a wellness-first approach are the main draws; family facilities exist, but the focus is on relaxation and rejuvenation.
Principe di Salina
On Salina, the greenest of the Aeolian islands, Principe di Salina favors a spare, Cycladic simplicity with whitewashed cubic suites, colonnaded terraces and views over the Tyrrhenian. The small property moves at island pace: poolside downtime, vineyard visits and dinners centered on local Malvasia wine, capers and fresh seafood. Rooms are intimate, furnished with local antiques and ceramics.
Monaci delle Terre Nere
A pioneering agriturismo on Etna’s slopes, Monaci delle Terre Nere occupies a converted 17th-century estate surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. Its design-forward rooms, refurbished barns and villas capitalize on volcanic terroir. The kitchen, Locanda Nerello, uses the estate’s organic produce and nearby catches to create ingredient-led, uncomplicated cuisine. It’s a soulful, land-connected stay.
Susafa
Set in Madonie Park amid wheat fields, Susafa is a family-run farmstead turned countryside retreat focused on organic agriculture. Olive oil, bread and pasta originate on-site; the barn-restaurant emphasizes farm-to-table cooking and seasonal techniques. Guests can take part in cooking classes or harvest activities for a hands-on rural experience.
Palazzo Previtera
Near Mount Etna in Linguaglossa, Palazzo Previtera is a lovingly restored pre-Baroque palazzo still owned by the same family. The B&B mixes antiques with selected modern pieces and sits within a botanical garden of exotic and native species. Intimate rooms and apartments make it a practical base for Etna hikes, winery visits and a short drive to Taormina.
Parco dei Sesi
On volcanic Pantelleria, Parco dei Sesi is a pared-back, barefoot-minded retreat inside an archaeological park close to the sea. With 13 rooms built from raw local materials and minimal furnishings, convivial shared dinners and a rooftop with sea views encourage slow living. Limited in-room tech and a pared-down aesthetic make it an ideal place to disconnect and savor island rhythms.
This selection originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK and has been updated with new information since its first publication.
