11 Best Hotels in Siracusa and the Southeast, Sicily

Artist Luca Giannini has designed two beautiful apartments in Modica Alta, oases of calm and style, which include an eclectic mix of traditional craft and modern art, serene outside spaces, and sleek modern kitchens. Compact but chic two-bedroom Casa Kimayà has intimate terraces with gorgeous views and cozy, understated rooms; while Residence Hortus marries 1554-built stone architecture and high-end detail with its botanical courtyards and three luxurious bedrooms, one with a round bed and corner tub.    

On Ortigia's eastern shore, this hotel, in an unusual twist, is owned by Ursuline nuns, who help to make the mood placid and peaceful, but the accommodations are simple rather than monastic. Guest rooms are bright, modern, and decent for pricey Ortigia; some have sea views, while the others have balconies overlooking the street. There's also a slightly more expensive sister hotel, Domus Mariae Benessere, across the street, with a spa, pool, and fitness room that all guests can use.

Designed and run by charming Torino couple Cinzia and Dario, this stone-built former seminary turned chic, peaceful retreat near seaside Sampieri has rustic yet sophisticated rooms, panoramic terraces, and a gorgeous pool. The cozy social hub lounge/bar/dining area opens onto a large terrace with comfy loungers overlooking cacti- and olive tree-dotted gardens and pool, with the countryside and shimmering sea beyond.

Situated a stone's throw from Palazzolo Acreide's main street, this recently restored B&B offers a charming selection of simply furnished but comfortable rooms with compact, modern bathrooms. One room has a lovely terrace with direct views of the main street and over the charming Sicilian roofs.

In the countryside about 20 minutes by car south of Ragusa, this charming family-run monastery-turned-hotel features friendly service and a relaxed but luxurious vibe, with unique rooms in former monks' chambers that vary in size and lay-out but are all quiet and well-appointed. All of them come with antiques, stone floors, wood-beamed ceilings, and tapestries; some also have fireplaces, whirlpools, and/or balconies. The restaurant offers a selection of Sicilian standards, and there's a lovely patio, where guests can enjoy the expansive breakfast buffet.

Winston Churchill, European royalty, and other VIPs have frequented the grand 18th-century Villa Politi, and although it's now a little faded, it retains a sense of elegance with rococo furnishings alongside basic modern luxuries like comfy beds. Set back from the road, the hotel is in the extensive gardens of the Latomie dei Cappuccini, overlooking a small archaeological site. Some rooms have balconies, private terraces, and partial sea views, others have far less salubrious views (be sure to check).

Down a narrow lane near the castello, you'll find these four good-value, simply furnished apartments of various sizes with kitchenettes. Choose from two small studios, which share a cute rooftop terrace, a more spacious split-level one-bedroom, or the two-level family affair with a spare sofa bed. 

Up on the Hyblean plateau, a good 15-minute drive north of Noto, this rural masseria (farm) is surrounded by tastefully designed two-story lodgings and immersed in olive groves. Though it's close to Noto Antica and some fabulous hiking, you could be forgiven for spending your day drifting between the pool, bar, and restaurant.

Since it's a bit off the beaten path, Scicli doesn't have too many hotels, but a good choice to rest your head is Albergo Diffuso, which can best be described as a “dispersed hotel,” where rooms are located in different historic homes throughout the town. The houses are all recently restored and well-equipped; and largely concentrated in a 1,000-foot radius of Via Francesco Mormina Penna.

Not far from Ragusa Superiore's cathedral, this smart hotel in a handsome 1700s-era stone palazzo has comfortable, spacious rooms with understated decor, a grand breakfast room with ornate ceiling, and a lovely garden with pool. Expect a curious and intriguing mix architectural styles, from grand noble saloni to rustic, stone-coved ceilings in the corridors. Unfortunately, while the building's unique historical features dazzle, the modern guest rooms can be slightly underwhelming.