The 10 best hotels in Sicily

Grand Hotel Timeo is a luxurious 19th-century hilltop espace with exquistiue views od Mount Etna and the sea. Oh, and it’s right beside the remains of a Greek amphitheatre. Part of the Belmond group, this hotel has well-equipped rooms with marble bathrooms, while upgraded stays include terraces and outdoor hot tubs. Speaking of luxury, you’ve got access to a heated rooftop pool, surrounded by lush gardens no less. This comes topped off with incredible food and drink offerings, think bountiful breakfasts, aperitifs on the terrace bar and fine Sicilian dining. Sublime.

A pastel blue boutique hotel on the Lungomare Levante, Hotel Gutkowski is perfectly perched on a waterfront promenade on the island of Ortigia. It’s made up of two old fishermen’s cottages that have been beautifully restored to offer 26 individual rooms, decorated with a pared-back seaside aesthetic and choice pieces of designer furniture. There are two sea-view terraces, a delicious buffet breakfast (including freshly squeezed juice and homemade pastries) is served, and a small ground-floor restaurant that serves modern Sicilian-based cuisine until late. Meanwhile, services include free bike hire if you fancy cruising around the island of Ortigia.

This once privately owned villa maintains its stately elegance. With its own stretch of beach and sub-tropical gardens, the hotel’s enormous floor-to-ceilings windows maximise the views, while contemporary artworks give classically decorated rooms an updated feel. There’s a heated infinity pool, and wellness centre with an open-air gazebo for massages, and guests can take advantage of facilities at sister-hotel Timeo. The Oliviero terrace restaurant specialises in local cuisine, particularly seafood, and the casual beach bar serves drinks and light meals all day, with music in the evening.

On the greenest of the Aeolian Islands, within the Tasca d’Almerita vineyards at the foot of two extinct volcanoes, a few whitewashed Aeolian houses have been converted into a refined yet minimalist haven. Each of the 21 sea-facing rooms has its own terrace, whitewashed walls and simple decor. A few more rooms are being added within a lighthouse. An infinity pool, tennis courts and gastronomic-level dining complete the picture, along with a chance to taste the Malvasia wine. Regular yoga, pilates and cookery courses are arranged throughout the year.

Traditional tiles, local stone and eclectic furniture have been used by architects Marco Guinto and his wife Viviana Haddad to create a hipster hideaway in a pretty Baroque town, an hour from Syracuse. The converted fishermen’s cottages house ten individually designed rooms, all with balconies or terraces. Delicious breakfasts, including Sicilian pastries, are served in a dining area hewn out of a rock, and services include the provision of picnic hampers and tours to local hotspots where you can enjoy them.

Found 20 miles from Catania, this stylish eco hideaway is perfect for those looking to lounge by the pool or sea, have a massage and occasionally go trekking the slopes of Mount Etna. The restored ‘palmento’ – an old winery featuring many traditional Sicilian materials – is made contemporary with art and designer furnishings. The rooms are stylish, with weathered beams and lava stone walls, and feature wood-burning stoves that are essential for the cooler months. If you feel peckish, stop by the restaurant, which serves seasonal and local food. It even uses ingredients sourced from the hotel’s organic farm, which is a lovely touch.

A little out of town on the edge of the Plemmirio Nature Reserve, the Minareto is an enormous complex of rooms, suites and villas surrounded by nature and with stunning views of Ortigia (seven miles away). Rooms are well-equipped, and all have terraces, with larger suites offering private access to a sandy beach. As well as a pool, there’s a hot tub terrace, and sports and spa facilities. The Nesos Restaurant and La Terrazza Latomie offer a sophisticated à la carte menu based on traditional dishes and local produce.

Giuggiulena is a clifftop B&B overlooking the sea. It’s got just seven rooms, but each of them is decked out in bright, stylish furnishings with vintage touches that add extra character. The terrace is the perfect place to take in the spectacular views, especially with an apero in hand. In the morning, you’ve got a substantial breakfast buffet to get stuck into while the Jonico restaurant serves everything from pizza to traditional dishes. When you’re not making the most of the fresh Italian grub, you’ve got free bike hire and the Solarium Zen, where you can lounge on a sunbed terrace, to keep you entertained.

Set in fine gardens, the Ashbee is a sensitive conversion of a grand villa, with marble and atmosphere aplenty. Light spacious rooms –  25 of them – are understated but feature elegant antique furniture, and some have patios or a terrace overlooking the sea. The panoramic rooftop Terrace Bar serves an excellent buffet breakfast, pre-prandial cocktails, and, in between, if you can drag yourself out the infinity pool, more food and drink is available at a garden bar. A more formal restaurant serves classic Italian dishes for dinner.

The family-run Alma is a tiny gem set in the centre of Palermo’s historic centre. The service is noteworthy, as owners Paolo and Antonella and their staff go out of their way to make you welcome, with recommendations, directions and information. Yes, it’s located in an anonymous block, but this hotel is bright and contemporary on the inside. Choose from seven rooms, each offering wall-sized images of the historic city, with breakfast including homemade cannoli or cassata. There’s no onsite restaurant or bar, but you’ve got plenty of fantastic places to eat beyond the hotel entrance.