Il San Corrado di Noto – Sicily, Italy
Not far from the coast, amongst ancient olive and citrus groves, the former princely residence of Il San Corrado di Noto stands out on a hill surveying the landscape. This masseria has been artfully transformed into a five star luxury retreat, taking full advantage of its stunning rural, UNESCO World Heritage Site location. It’s a slick blend of contemporary symmetrical lines and heritage design, where cool polished marble floors are lined with palms, giving the overall feel of a sanctuary.
We love the understated Italian sophistication here – the one hundred metre pool is the longest we’ve ever seen, and if you’re after some beach time, there’s a regular shuttle to the hotel’s own private beach club (Open April – October) just a 15-minute shuttle ride away. This truly is a place to come to be pampered. And people watch whilst sipping granita.
At A Glance
Boutique Hotel
Why We Love It:
For its sublime Italian chicness and exquisite food.Style:
Sicilian heritage meets minimalist luxe.Location:
In the south east of the island, 20 minutes from the Baroque town of Noto and an hour and a quarter from Catania.Rooms:
26 spacious suites, two with pools, and eight villas with pools, with private terraces.Swimming:
Two inviting pools – one an astonishing 100m long - and a private beach club.Children:
This is most definitely for families with older children.Accessibility:
A number of suites are suitable for guests with reduced mobility.Open From:
April - October.rooms
Cool and contemporary, with wonderfully comfortable four poster beds swathed in linens, dressing areas, marble bathrooms with travertine details, and large terraces with cushioned daybeds, the suites and villas line the green and blue pools. Two of the suites come with their own pool and the eight villas, most with two bedrooms, have large terraces with a pool, overlooking the olive groves.
food
The food at Il San Corrado di Noto is a celebration of Sicilian gastronomy and the region. With home grown and locally sourced produce, the menus are bursting with traditional dishes given a modern twist. The frescoed Principe de Belludia, with its velvet banquettes, serves a degustazione menu that mustn’t be missed, and refined dishes paired with local wines. This is the place to dress for dinner. For more homely eating, Casa Pasta is a delicious mix of home made pastas, pizzas and typical street food style dishes.
Or for a light lunch, the pool bar has a mouthwatering selection of favourites, or head to the Beach (Open April – October) Club restaurant.
activities
It would be impossible to stay here and not have at least one day lounging by the one of the very seductive pools. With impeccably trained staff looking after your every whim, how could you not? And then of course, there’s the beach club, where you could just as easily watch the world go by from underneath your parasol. There are plenty of ways to keep your fitness levels up, with a tennis court (complete with professional instructor) and running tracks through the olive groves.
Have individual sessions in the yoga pavilion or a work out in the gym. Beyond the walls of Il San Corrado di Noto, there’s a lot to explore. Once under the rule of ancient Greece, the region is littered with archaeological ruins. The Baroque towns of Noto, Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Syracuse are all particularly captivating, and a day in Taormina, with its views of Etna and streets full of boutiques, is definitely worth the trip.
family
There are no facilities for children here, however, families are most welcome. The Villas are best suited for families and babysitting is easily arranged.
sustainability
To fit in with the meticulous renovation of this masseria, the ancient well was restored and a purifier fitted to supply the entire hotel and ensure that waste water is used for irrigation. Tucked away are solar panels and an energy storage system, and you’ll find no single use plastics.
Location
Sicily, Italy
In the south east of the island, 20 minutes from the Baroque town of Noto and an hour and a quarter from Catania.
