Family Owned: Sicily


I am a massive advocate for locally family owned hotels and Sicily has some of Europes best.

Home to the Mafia and some of the worlds most terrifying drivers Sicily is as wild in spirit as it is in nature. Invaders Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, French, Spanish, Austrian and British have all made their mark and then scarpered probably with their pockets full of lemons. Overseeing all the chaos is Mount Etna, because what is more wild than living in the shadows of an active volcano.

Susafa, Polizzi Generos

This is a destination hotel because truly, it is in the middle of nowhere. Leaving is a faff so you have to stay at this sanctuary where time moves a touch slower and food tastes sweeter.

Fifth generation agricultural entrepreneurs the Saeli-Rizzuto will warmly welcome you to their home. They’ll invite you to help with the cherry harvest in June, tomatoes in July and wheat in September. Gorge on the fruits of your labour and when the weather allows hike the hills that surround you.

From £250 a night Bed & Breakfast

Open April to November

Introduced as Sicily’s answer to Bali, this is a subtropical eco-conscious hideaway on the east coast with views of the sea and Etna all around.

Everything has been set up to make you feel at home. Service is faultlessly attentive and breakfast is homemade cakes and mini pizzas.

Everything from soft to hard furnishings have been chosen on the basis that they could be recycled – hence the enamelled metal sinks, lava-stone paved showers, huge glass windows, vegetable-based paints and natural linen curtains.

From £150 a night Bed & Breakfast

Open year round

Donna Coraly, Syracuse

Donna Coraly has over 600 years of history to brag about. It is neighboured by a working farm (inc. friendly goats) and surrounded by artichoke fields and orange groves. Should you choose to leave, you are in easy reach of Syracuse where ancient Greek grandeur and Roman decadence is all around. Brain full of history, take a break on one of the south easts best beaches - only 10 minutes away.

Always immaculate owner Lucia mummies guests, appearing with espressos in the morning and juices to quench thirst when the sun gets hot. You’ll have Stockholm syndrome within an hour of arriving.

From £250 a night Bed & Breakfast

The hotel closes annually from 1 November till Easter.

Parco dei Sesi, Pantelleria

Vanish to the middle of the Mediterranean sea and the island of Pantelleria where you watch the sunset over Africa.

Owners Margot and Massimiliano gently show what a holiday today can be like whilst being conscious about tomorrow. From a family of artists Margot and Massimiliano will invite artists throughout the year to leave their mark here making this is a particularly special place for creatives.

From £200 a night Bed & Breakfast

The hotel closes annually from 1 November till Easter.