Dioscuri Bay Palace
Agrigento

Overlooking the sea only two kilometers from the Valley of the Temples, this modern hotel is very tasteful and inviting.. Facilities include a restaurant surrounded by glass panels that can be opened depending on the weather, a pool overlooking the sea, a free shuttle to the beach (500 meters distance). All sea view rooms have balconies. Furnishings are modern and all rooms are equipped with modern technology allowing the use of personal computers upon request. There is a covered garden and an American bar off the lobby

Grand Hotel Villa San Mauro
Caltagirone, Rates starting at 165euro

Caltagirone, is well worth including in a Sicilian itinerary. The town's position affords beautiful views over the valley. A tour of the town, founded in 1000 A.D. and the ceramics capital of Sicily, is certainly recommended.

The hotel is located just 20 minutes from Piazza Armerina where the mosaics from the Roman period at Villa del Casale can be seen. Besides the restaurant, other facilities include an American bar, swimming pool with gazebo and an internet point in the lobby. The staff is very cordial and helpful. Rates include tax, service and breakfast.

Hotel Parco Degli Aragonesi
Catania, Rates starting at 216 euro

Situated in the lively city of Catania with its perfect location about a one-hour drive from the majestic Mount Etna, this hotel, opened in 2002, has been transformed after a complete refurbishment. The hotel is right by the sea, and La Playa with its golden sand beach is across the street from the hotel and enjoys a reputation as one of the most beautiful and best-known beaches of Sicily's east coast.

Just four kilometers from Catania's airport and surrounded by gardens, the hotel is a semi-circular two-story structure where each room has its own terrace or balcony, traditional furnishings, satellite television, mini bar, in-room safe, fax and internet connection. Connecting rooms are available for families. There is also a beautiful swimming pool located within the gardens for the enjoyment of hotel guests. Other facilities include an American bar, a restaurant specializing in Sicilian cuisine, a snack bar, meeting facilities, and guest parking on the grounds of the hotel. This hotel is very well priced, and because of its international airport,

Catania is the perfect place for any last minute shopping before departing Sicily

Resort Baglio Oneto
Marsala, Rates starting at 165 euro

Set high on a hill overlooking the nearby Egadi Islands, the Resort Baglio Oneto is painstakingly renovated medieval fortress located in Marsala, Sicily's largest wine producing area. The resort is, in fact, surrounded by vineyards! Each of the 48 attractively furnished accommodations has its own patio or terrace and most rooms have pleasant views of the sea, vineyards, or olive groves.

La Calandra, the hotel's restaurant, offers a wide range of local and regional specialties. Places to visit in the area are, the vineyards for wine tasting, the Egadi Islands, the Mozia archeological park, and the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Selinunte that boast the largest Greek temple in the world. Here you can discover the west coast of Sicily, an area that has been awarded the European Blue Flag for the clarity of its waters and the cleanliness of its beaches.

Grand Hotel Villa Igiea
Palermo, Rates starting at 195 euro

Located on the harbor, this modernistic style villa was built in the 1800's by an Englishman as his private residence. It opened as a hotel in 1907. Although the hotel is in close proximity to the port, there is a small sandy area where one can swim. One can also see the ruins of an ancient Greek temple on the grounds near the hotel's beautiful swimming pool that over looks the bay.

The restaurant offers dining on the terrace, weather permitting. There are no connecting rooms; however, there are junior suites and suites available that can accommodate families. The rooms are spacious and very well appointed with lovely hardwood floors, marble baths, mini bar, and satellite television. There is a small fitness facility and arrangements for massage can now be made at the hotel. The massage can even take place in the garden during warm weather!

Eremo Della Giubiliana
Ragusa, Rates starting at 240 euro

Located just ten kilometers south of Ragusa, Eremo della Giubiliana, was originally a 12th century fortification, and so it dominates the highland that gently slopes down to the sea. The convent, used by the Knights of Malta during the first half of the 15th century, has been restored maintaining as much of its original materials as possible. Some rooms have been created from the friars' "cells" and updated to offer modern conveniences. The two level "Great Suite", that can accommodate four persons, connects to Room 10, making it suitable for families. The "Tower Suite", located in the most ancient part of the Eremo, features two large rooms with vaulted ceilings and access to a private garden

The wine cellar is located in a medieval vault. Other facilities include a beach located eight kilometers from the hotel, trekking on horseback (stables not on property) to other medieval sites, and towns along the coast, and mountain biking.

Well worth a visit in the area are the towns of Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Scicli, each with ancient centers and many buildings of great architectural interest.There is a private airfield on the property used for excursions to the North African Coast, the Aeolian Islands, etc. (For those wishing to keep a really close eye on their aircraft, there are now five individual cottages fully equipped with airplane parking at one's doorstep!) Air shuttle flights can be arranged from the private airfield to major airports in Sicily.

Grand Hotel Timeo & Villa Flora
Taormina, Rates starting at 263 euro

With its splendid position facing the ancient Greek Theatre, its acres of gardens, its views of snow-capped Mount Etna , and its expansive terrace with breathtaking views of the sea, this hotel has an unparalleled site. As Taormina 's first hotel dating from 1873, the Timeo is without doubt one of the most glamorous hotels in Italy . The sumptuous rooms, with many antique furnishings, have either a panoramic balcony or terrace. The hotel's excellent restaurant, Il Dito e La Luna, serves Sicilian and Mediterranean specialties, and comes highly recommended.

There is an attractive American bar off the lobby with piano music during the evening. While the hotel is just steps from the center of Taormina with its many shops and restaurants, a shuttle service is available to take clients down to the private beach (tan sand) at Villa Sant' Andrea, a sister property. For families, there are connecting rooms as well as the Kaiser Suite, the hotel's grandest accommodation. The hotel's beautiful swimming pool, fitness center and Turkish bath opened in 2003. Massage is also available.

San Domenico Palace Hotel
Rates starting at 290 euro

Created from the original structures of a former Dominican monastery dating to the 15th century, the San Domenico Palace – one of the most famous monastery hotels in the world - was transformed into a hotel in 1896, the date during which the "new" wing - boasting pink marble bathrooms and sea view terraces - was created. The older wing includes the original monks' cells that have been converted into accommodations with comforts the monks never dreamed of having!

One thing that has not changed over the centuries, however, is the fantastic view of Mt. Etna from these more antique rooms. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the hotel boasts three restaurants - the Bougainvillees open from April to October on the hotel's flower-filled terrace with its panoramic view of the bay of Taormina, the Antico Refettorio featuring Mediterranean cuisine, and the Giardino dei Limoni, which is located conveniently poolside. The Oratorio dei Frati piano bar offers nightly entertainment. There is now a "gym corner" open 24 hours per day with state of the art fitness equipment as well as a "health corner", actually a room where beauty and relaxation therapies are available. Twice a week, a guided tour is conducted, giving guests the opportunity to learn more of the history of this splendid property.

Villa Ducale
Rates from 160 euro

Lovely 16th century villa, located on the banks of the Brenta River, has been painstakingly restored by the remarkable Dal Corso family. The exquisite fabrics and furnishings - many of them antiques - not to mention the beautiful antique marble fireplaces and original terracotta floors in the public spaces, blend with the modern comforts in the rooms, such as satellite television and internet connection. Facilities include La Barchessa Restaurant with a veranda overlooking the park and specializing in Venetian cuisine, a fitness room, sauna, private parking and a landing dock on the Brenta River.

The main villa has eight junior suites, four on each floor, as well as a completely restored antique kitchen and wine cellar with the best wines from around the world. Two deluxe rooms in the Barchessa behind the main villa are connecting for families. Accommodations have a view of either the garden or the river. Stay here just to dine very well, visit the villas of Palladio, take a boat trip on the river, or spend a day in Venice (only 15 km away). A marvelous spot to visit.

Tonnara Di Bonagia
Valderice, Rates starting at 189 euro

Situated at the edge of the Bay of Cofano, this lovely hotel was created about a decade ago in a 17th century tuna fishery. In fact, the structure covers the entire site of an historic fishing village. Next to the hotel is the 17th century Saracen Watch Tower where the Tonnara Museum is located. The hotel faces the sea and has a platform (no sand) offering access to the water. The swimming pool overlooks the sea. The restaurant La Muciara looks out over the picturesque little port and specializes in the traditional cuisine of the Trapani area. (Surely the tuna here must be some of the best in the world!) There is also an American bar, and during high season, piano music. Rooms have either sea view or garden view. While there are no connecting rooms for families, doubles can accommodate up to three persons and junior suites and suites can accommodate up to four.

Nearby and worth a visit are the town of Erice with its ancient castle, Segesta with its pre-Greek temple and theatre (dating to the 3rd century B.C) inside the walls and a well-preserved shrine outside the walls, the Egadi Islands (accessible by boat or hydrofoil from Trapani), the Marsala wineries (the best marsala wine in the world is produced in this area).. Open from March to November, Rates include tax, service and breakfast.