11 Best Hotels in Central Sicily and the Mediterranean Coast, Sicily

This authentic rural accommodation on the Centonze olive oil estate rings is a short drive from the coast and from the temples of Selinunte. The two big pools—one with a 500-year olive tree beside it—along with the children’s pool, small playground, and little farm zoo (home to geese, goats, tortoises, chickens, and ducks) make this an ideal choice for families. Rooms are in clusters of whitewashed outbuildings, each with its own terra-cotta-tiled terrace. The restaurant is open every evening and for Sunday lunch, with a daily changing fixed menu, and olive oil tastings can be arranged.

Belonging to the Planeta family of winemakers, La Foresteria is a truly gorgeous contemporary hotel with exceptional food and views from herb-scented terraces over the vineyards to the sea. The 14 rooms are spacious, with glass doors opening onto private terraces, terra-cotta-tiled floors lain with delicate kilims, and traditional Sicilian iron bedsteads with dreamily comfortable mattresses and pillows, superb quality white sheets, and hand-stitched Indian eiderdowns. Bathrooms are made for being lazy, with good showers, oversize bathtubs, and very puffy bathrobes. Along with kettles and coffee machines, there are jars of loose herbal teas and tea bags to enjoy. Wine is, of course, excellent (guided tastings and trips to the main vineyards can be organized) and the food is superb, with an intelligently designed menu where innovative dishes and traditional Planeta family favorites sit happily side by side. There are not only several tasting menus and à la carte dishes, but menus that can be designed to suit individual tastes and appetites, with faultless guidance on wine pairings. Cooking lessons are available most mornings.

Walking through the heavy bronze sculpted door of the Sikelia is a step into an utterly luxurious retreat, where time stands still and the stresses and cares of the world evaporate. With just twenty exquisitely curated suites, it is ideal for anyone who wants to escape the world and be pampered. With soft gray walls, reinstated floors, and divine linens in shades of gray, cream, pale lemon, and smoky lilac, rooms are therapy for the eyes as well as the body. Bathroom products are Jardin sur le Nil by Hermès. The grounds are shaded with palms, with a beautiful pool and elegant spaces for breakfast or an evening aperitif (with drinks accompanied by crisp-fried caper leaves and sun-blush tomatoes). There is a menu for pillows and sheets (linen or cotton), and staff are trained to note guest preferences at the first breakfast so that future breakfasts can be tailored to their tastes. In summer, cocktails are served on the roof. Boat trips available on the hotel boat.

The 18th-century Villa Athena, updated into a sleek, luxurious place to stay, complete with gorgeous manicured gardens and swimming pool, holds a privileged position directly overlooking the Temple of Concordia, a 10-minute walk away—an amazing sight both during the day and when it's lit up at night. Although the hotel's bar and lobby area are on the small side, the whitewashed guest rooms have either pretty blue-tile or polished wood floors, and many feature a balcony or terrace; just make sure to request a room with a temple view, since some overlook the parking lot instead. The amenities are top-notch, too: the well-regarded restaurant serves up a bountiful breakfast buffet, and the spa is a lovely place to unwind after a day hiking around the temples.

Here you'll find tasteful contemporary rooms within a small organic winery set among 50 acres of vineyards a short drive from the unspoiled beaches of the Torre Salsa nature reserve. Rooms are minimalist in style, with exposed beams, wooden parquet floors, and bathrooms walled with either Bisazza mosaics or hand-painted majolica tiles from Caltagirone. Color schemes vary, from soft blues, greens, and sand to geometric black and whites, giving each room a distinctive feel and character. Breakfast is served in the courtyard in good weather, and in the state-of-the-art tasting room. Although there is no restaurant, wine tastings with food—and a tour of the vineyards and cantina—are available three times a week. 

In the valley below the temples, fiery sunsets and moonlight cast a glow over the ancient 12th-century watchtower at the center of this farmhouse-hotel complex, which is composed of stone buildings surrounding a peaceful geranium- and ivy-filled courtyard and the garden beyond. Standard rooms, some with temple views, are simple but charming, with antique furniture and modern bathrooms. The restaurant, Accademia del Buon Gusto, serves tasty foodie fare in a beautiful setting overlooking the temples. The hotel is on an unmarked dirt road about 3 km (2 miles) southeast of the old town.

Right by the port, the small and modern Hotel Aliai is Sciacca's best choice for anyone wishing to lodge in the lower town. Book one of the three rooms on the top floor; all have harbor views and their own terraces, though guests may have to stoop to avoid the low eaves in the attached bathrooms. Staff are friendly, parking is easy, and breakfast choices include freshly squeezed fruit juice and local pastries. Piazza Scandaliato can be reached in 10 minutes via steps.

Home to several individual, purpose-built dammusi, Pantelleria Dream is set in its own grounds above Cala Levante and the Arco dell’Elefante. This is a really good midrange option, and prices in low season are incredible value for money, especially if you book well in advance. There is a big pool, well-tended gardens, a restaurant, and a bar. Rooms are simple but tasteful, with black tiled floors and white walls and bed linens, and each has its own terrace, traditionally roofed with canes.

This 19th-century villa with a restaurant and 12 rooms sits on a hill above Licata, lending a lovely sea view. There are extensive views from the lounge, evocatively decorated with vintage wedding photos, a wind-up gramophone and antique piano, and long terraces perfect for evening cocktails. The grounds include a small pool, and the rooms are simple but tasteful. There is also a well-regarded restaurant, La Bottega. 

This hotel on the main drag is housed within one of Sciacca's few palazzi that have been renovated to showcase their period finery. The building dates from the 17th century and retains its arched doorways and a splendid internal courtyard. The decor is a mixture of old and new, while the rooms (some with patios) are mainly spacious and equipped with fridges and modern bathrooms—there's also a family suite. It's just steps away from Piazza Scandaliato, and you can park close by. There's a week-long minimum stay in August.