DonnaCarmela Resort & Lodges

In English, the word “typical” is reserved for things that are ordinary, unremarkable, anything but special. But in Romance languages, it’s more or less the opposite; to call a Sicilian hotel “typical” is to say that it’s an emblem of everything that’s unique to Sicily, and it’s in that sense that DonnaCarmela Resort & Lodges is typical of its setting — as you’ll see, it’s far from ordinary.

This part of Italy is rightly proud of its agricultural heritage, and Donna Carmela retains evidence of its humble beginnings in rough stone walls surrounding the elegant old farmhouse. To that they’ve added eight modern lodges, separated from the original villa, which they describe as “avant-garde bio-architecture” — and all of this is surrounded by a vast nursery garden filled with an astonishing variety of subtropical and Mediterranean plants.

Rooms and suites range from rustic-chic to ultra-modern, and even the smallest come with expansive views. At a mere 26 units, it never feels crowded, which helps preserve the air of tranquility, whether by the poolside, with its views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, or in the restaurant, where you’re treated to upscale contemporary Sicilian fare and a long list of local wines.