Rocca dei Saraceni

One of the best hotels I've ever stayed! It is just FANTASTIC service. Simple. It started before we even arrived: they don't have 24hr reception so kept in touch and arranged for someone to be there to greet us. Our flight was delayed and we'd miss dinner so they prepared a delicious Insalata Caprese that was ready for us in the room when we arrived at almost midnight. The rooms are modern, functional and spotless. The grounds are perfectly maintained. The food, oh wow... chef Fabrizio and his team are masters! At the end of the day it is all about service and it is clear that the whole staff is there to make sure you have the perfect stay. Special thanks to Karina, Catherina (who stayed late to greet us at check in) and Francesco (barman). The only consideration is the location: Sicily is much larger than you'd think and going to most tourist attractions is a 60-90-min drive. We didn't mind as relaxing by the pool was our main goal anyway! Talking of relaxing... it was disrupted for two days because of a large family with young kids that just could not stop shouting and crying. This is definitely more of a couples' destination. You can definitely bring your kids but, other than the pool, they have no other entertainment. If they are well-behaved - as was the case for all the other kids - then it is a delight. But this particular family should be more aware and considerate! But this does not detract from the amazing service provided by Rocca di Saraceni! Awesome!

What to say about this hotel? I’ll start with fabulous. Truly magnificent. I have every intention of returning in the near future. We arrived several hours before check in time due to a cancelled day trip, and whilst we had a small wait for our room the staff worked hard to give us early access. The room was spacious, very modern, and beautifully designed. The bed and pillows were perfect for us and the black out curtains gave the opportunity for a great nights sleep. Some reviewers talk about “cold” staff, I had the opposite experience. They were friendly yet professional, there with a smile when I wanted them, and quietly in the wings at other times. I think they get the level of service absolutely right, and for me at least it elevated the experience. The pool area is lovely, fresh towels, spotlessly clean, nice easy background music, and a sophisticated area for drinks and snacks. From the pool area you have breathtaking views across endless rolling hills, it really is something special. The breakfast is a feast to behold, with everything you could want, much of it is locally produced for example the hotel makes its own butter, olive oil and breakfast cakes. It is all of the highest quality. The evening menu is exquisite, a first class dining experience which we thoroughly enjoyed BUT the menu is too limited, if you stay for a couple of nights you eat the same food as there’s not enough variety. Accepting variety can diminish quality and increase cost for the hotel, a simple solution would be for the menu to benefit from a “daily special” surprise dish which would allow people staying multiple nights something a little different to choose from. Having said all of that, what I want you take from this review is the food is exquisite, and unlike anything we had elsewhere in Sicily. I’d return to this hotel in a heartbeat. I do need to mention the cats however. There are five or six cats at the resort, all well cared for and friendly towards guests BUT they didn’t like one another and there were many cat fights under the breakfast table that I found disturbing. Breakfast seemed to be a pressure point for the cat fights, at other times of the day they were docile and a welcome visitor, my husband really enjoyed their company, but I found their breakfast antics more than a little stressful! This is a beautiful hotel if you want something upmarket, quiet, and just that bit different. The quality of their offer outshone every other hotel we stayed at during our three week tour (and there were many hotels).

Could not fault the service absolutely first class the staff were amazing