Top Italian Hotels & Resorts 2024

Villa Igiea a Rocco Forte Hotel Palermo g r a n d t r a d i t i o n Elegant and iconic, a palace in Palermo, situated directly on the seafront at the foot of Mount Pellegrino, it was inaugurated in 1900 as a hotel and quickly became the favorite destination of aristocrats and Hollywood actors. The historic villa, with its courtly style, was designed by Sicilian architect Ernesto Basile at the behest of the Florio family and represents the ultimate expression of Palermo’s Liberty style of that era. Following a meticulous renovation overseen by Olga Polizzi and designer Paolo Moschino, the villa has been restored to its former glory under the philosophy and service of Rocco Forte Hotels, offering 72 rooms and 28 spacious suites divided between the main building and the adjacent Palazzina Donna Franca. Most of the rooms offer a mesmerizing view of the lush gardens that brush against the Mediterranean Sea, among which the Donna Franca Forte Suite deserves a special mention as a diamond in the hotel’s crown. The F&B offerings, under the creative direction of Chef Fulvio Pierangelini, include the sophisticated Florio restaurant, known for its magnificent terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the delightful Alicetta restaurant. Last but not least, the iconic Igiea Terrace Bar, whose menu is crafted by Maestro Salvatore Calabrese. 196