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This utterly modern four-star hotel occupies the former country estate of an ancient noble family whose origins can be traced as far back as the Middle Ages, when they immigrated here from France. In those days, Sicily was a bountiful island producing abundant wheat, vegetables, citrus and especially wine. These exports eventually allowed the noble families to accumulate vast fortunes, which is why to this day there are probably more extravagant city palaces and country mansions here than anywhere else in Italy. By the time the 18th century rolled around, the family who owned this estate was no exception: they had a magnificent home in Catania, and in the warmer months they would retreat to the highlands just west of Enna, where they had one of the most successful wineries in Sicily. Here, at a cool and breezy altitude of 1000 feet, where the peasants already had numerous farm buildings including a traditional Sicilian baglio and an ancient stone olive oil press, the family built themselves an ornate mansion and had its walls and ceilings decorated with the delicate, whimsical trompe-l’oeil paintings that were in vogue at the time. Many a lavish party, identical to the one pictured in Lucchino Visconti’s masterpiece film “The Leopard,” was held on the “noble floor” of this villa! Luckily for us, these rooms have been restored and left as they were back then, so hotel guests are able to visit the grand salons and dining rooms, enlivened with painted fishing and hunting scenes set in locations all over Europe. A stroll through these sumptuous rooms would be reason enough to stop at this beautiful property. The wonderful views of the Sicilian countryside – emerald green from January through April and glittering gold the rest of the year – offer further incentive, along with the dramatic vista of Enna, a medieval fortress city spread across the top of a flat plateau only a few miles away.
Today’s hotel occupies all three buildings on the estate. The restaurant has what is perhaps the most unexpected setting, for it is inside the very ancient oil press. These were totally different in Sicily than those you might see in Tuscany: because wood was once the #1 resource in Sicily (believe it or not!), the local oil presses used a gigantic tree trunk that was rotated to squeeze the olives, whose gold-green juice ran down a trough into a room below. You will be able to see exactly how this worked while you wait for your Sicilian meal to be served.
The hotel is about 100 yards away, next to the very large heated swimming pool and adjoining kids' pool. Here you will find ample outdoor terraces and patios for breakfast and cocktails many months of the year. When the warm Sicilian sun takes a brief break, guests can retreat to a lovely indoor room where an excellent buffet awaits each morning. The guestrooms are all on the ground floor or first floor (reached by elevator). They measure from 1800 to 2500 square feet and are brightened by large windows with lovely views of the countryside and Enna. Some rooms have a small balcony; every room is furnished with brand-new carpet, period furniture, large wardrobes with drawers, and quality upholstery. Features include air conditioning, radiant floor heat, satellite TV, TV email, direct-dial telephone, wireless or DSL Internet access, and a private bathroom with magnifying mirror, hair dryer and bathtub or stall shower. Junior suites are larger and have an alcove with a desk, as well as a good sofa bed for one person and a whirlpool bathub in the bathroom.
And now, the real reason to choose this property as your Sicilian base: you can visit almost every site on the island from here! Some travelers prefer to move every day, but if you would rather have to unpack your bags only once, and be able to settle into a place where you can get to know the people and have a sense of local reality, then this is an opportunity never before offered in Sicily. From here you can take a day trip to Palermo (best by train), or Cefalu’, or Monreale, or the temples at Agrigento, or Taormina, or to Siracusa or to Noto, Modica and Ragusa Ibla. Spend a day exploring fascinating Mt. Etna, or try some snorkeling and sunbathing at the seaside. All of these treasures are located 90 minutes or less from Villa Siciliana, making it a truly wonderful spot to call your casa siciliana.
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| Nightly B&B Rates for 2008 (per room) One-Night Stays OK! |
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| Includes taxes, services & breakfast | |||
| Low Season Jan. 2-March 20 Oct. 1-Dec. 28 |
Mid Season March 25-Sept. 30 |
High Season March 21-24 Dec. 29, 2008- Jan. 1, 2009 |
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| Double Room for Single Use | 100.00 EURO | 120.00 EURO | 140.00 EURO |
| Double Room | 140.00 EURO | 180.00 EURO | 220.00 EURO |
| Junior Suite | 160.00 EURO | 200.00 EURO | 240.00 EURO |
| Superior Triple Room (2 adults + 1 child 4-8 years old) |
210.00 EURO | 260.00 EURO | 310.00 EURO |
| Superior Triple Room (2 adults + 1 child 9-12 years old) |
215.00 EURO | 265.00 EURO | 320.00 EURO |
| Superior Triple Room (3 people over 12 years old) |
220.00 EURO | 275.00 EURO | 330.00 EURO |
Free uncovered parking is offered on the property.
Click here for information about private transfers to the property.
Click here for information
about getting to Sicily.
