Seven Rooms Villadorata

Fit for a prince: the 18th-century palazzo that houses Seven Rooms Villadorata (“golden villa”) was once the home of royalty. Set in the historic heart of the Sicilian town of Noto, it’s the kind of place that could easily feel overly formal or grandiose. But the owner has gone to great lengths to make this palatial Baroque-style residence feel warm and personable in addition to being, well, drop-dead gorgeous. Frescoed ceilings, stately columns, furnishings by the best Italian designers, check, check and check. But thanks to smart planning and attention to detail, there are also countless quaint and cozy spaces waiting to be discovered.

There are, as the name indicates, just seven rooms. Each is named after one of the mythical winds that blows over the region — the same winds, if you’re familiar with Greek mythology, that caused Sicily to detach from the continent. All of the rooms are elegantly appointed, done in a sleek palette of white, silver, and black, featuring plush armchairs, rich drapery, glamorous headboards, and antique accents from bronze door handles to statuary. Standard amenities include 52-inch LCD TVs, complimentary wi-fi, and bath products by Ortigia. A few of the seven rooms are suites, and offer additional details like French doors opening onto private balconies with views over the town.

A suitably lavish breakfast is served each morning, and while there’s no restaurant serving dinner onsite, there’s a wealth of attractive dining options in Noto, named an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Beyond the old city limits, this lesser-known corner of Sicily awaits with its lovely beaches and archeological sites. Those seven winds might have been responsible for blowing Sicily into the sea, but if the result is this particular landscape and this charming seven-room hotel, we’re glad they did.

Please note: Seven Rooms Villadorata is a seasonal hotel open April thru October.

How to get there: Seven Rooms Villadorata is located approximately one hour from Catania Fontanarossa Airport via A18.