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Surrounded by the myriad shades of blue of the Mediterranean, Sicily’s coastline offers just as varied a colour palette, alternating gold sand along stretches, milky pebbles littering coves making the water look budgerigar blue, and grey cliffs topped by dense tousled tree hair. Then there are the chic seaside ports, pretty harbour towns and historic centres all adding their colours to the coastline. And the beach hotels and resorts. Our recommendations for Sicily’s best beachfront hotels and resorts are a pleasingly eclectic lot, ranging from island hideaways, to sprawling golf resorts to more traditional properties, and even a castle! Check out our Guru’s list of the 13 best beach hotels on Sicily and start to plan your getaway.
For a Beachfront Hotel
- The Hotel Kalura is about 100 steps above a small but gorgeous cove, with a private levelled stretch, perfect for sun loungers, a stretch of sand and a perfectly clear pebbly cove of the most beautiful turquoise. There are 72 simple, comfortable rooms, suites and villas, and many have their own private balcony or terrace, plus a dining terrace and a huge pool. In addition there's an in-house scuba school, which also offers snorkelling and fishing tips and equipment, complimentary bike hire, and there’s a fitness suite with a regular morning yoga class. Perfect for an active recharge.
- If you want the edge of your hotel to blend with the edge of the beach, and for that beach to be arguably one of the most beautiful beaches on Sicily, then Capo San Vito might be the hotel for you. With 35 rooms and suites, this isn’t a large hotel, but the rooms are of a generous size, with decor that speaks of the islands of South East Asia rather than the Mediterranean. There’s a cafe and bar, which spill right out onto the beach, a restaurant specialising in local cuisine, and they offer private dining on the beach too. There’s also a spa. And while it all sounds very romantic, they’re also able to accommodate families.
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- The Siracusa Resort is the only hotel in Syracuse with a private beach, shared only by the eleven rooms, one suite and three self-catering apartments. You might think that the apartments means this is a good spot for families, but the minimum age is 14, and the apartments only sleep two. The decor is chic in all the accommodation: with exposed stone archways, whitewashed walls and interesting fabrics. The suite has two private terraces and a hot tub. And both breakfast and dinner are served al fresco to make the most of the changing sea. The hotel also has canoes and bikes guests can borrow.
For a romantic stay
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- Castello di San Marco is right on its own private beach, and looks every bit the castle of its name. Within its turrets and domes are 30 rooms and suites, plus a spa and restaurant. This is the perfect place to come to escape and relax, but, just along the coast from Taormina, it’s also a good base to explore the island.
- Small and beautifully formed, La Moresca is a maison de charm close to the beach at Maria di Ragusa. These 15 rooms and suites, including one family suite, have been decorated with a sophisticated eye and a taste for a good blend of antique and contemporary design. There’s no restaurant, but you’re in an excellent spot for eating out, and La Moresca has a breakfast terrace beautifully scented by flowers.
- If you have your eye on Sicily for a honeymoon, or other special occasion the Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea might be the sort of hotel you’re imagining: beautifully located around the perfect ‘c’ curve of a Sicilian bay, by a stretch of private beach and just along from a gorgeous clifftop, this hotel has 71 rooms and suites, most with private terraces and balconies, and an excellent spa and terrace restaurant with more of those remember-forever views.
For a beach resort
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- Up against a really beautiful stretch private beach, complete with its own mini-island, the La Plage Resort is one of the most inviting looking resorts on Sicily. From the neat rows of sun loungers and bright blue parasols on the beach, to the neatly decked beach bar, and the chic huts with their elegant, spacious New Hampshire Nautique interiors, polished floors and lots of glass. If you need more to entice you there’s also a spa and a Mediterranean restaurant with a terrace-with-a-view.
- If you want to stay in a resort because you want great onsite facilities the Verdura Golf and Spa Resort, with its two 18 hole golf courses, two swimming pools, four restaurants, including one of kids, its kid’s club, extensive spa, and almost two kilometres of private beach complete with a vast array or watersports equipment, is probably for you. It has 203 rooms and suites, so it’s big, and there’s a huge range of rooms sizes and shapes, including some with private pools, so it’s a great choice for families too.
- Small, luxurious and serene, I Pretti Resort is a charming resort on the quaint little island of Favignana, just off Sicily’s west coast. The resort overlooks the sea, and some of the 16 suites have exquisite views, and you’re only a few minutes walk from Praia Beach. This is a quiet spot, perfect if you’re looking for somewhere to let the ocean recharge you.
The Best Beach Hotels for Families
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- The Domus Maris Boutique Hotel is in Sciacca, which is a small, pretty coastal town between the Mediterranean and the Calogero Mountains. It’s a popular spot with cyclists and hikers, but it’s also great for families, both the hotel and the town. Both are small, the hotel has nine rooms and suites, and welcoming. All the hotel’s rooms have wood floors and white walls, and pieces that reflect the location, but they’re all styled slightly differently, and some have a private terrace or balcony. The hotel has a shared breakfast patio, which is also a great place for a drink of an evening. When it comes to accommodating families you can opt to have a suite, or fit additional beds into some of the rooms.
For great value
- Only 800 metres from the beach, the Baglio della Luna is a great little four star option, converted from a beautiful old Sicilian mansion house and outbuildings, complete with sprawling terraces and a lush, green garden. The 23 rooms are traditionally decorated, and quite charming, and the restaurant has a reputation all over the island for its fantastic Sicilian cuisine, and its wonderful views from its verandah over the Valley of Temples.
Still not sure?