As we made the very quick drive throughout Ponte Umbertino, the bridge that connects the gorgeous island of Ortigia to the remainder of Sicily’s Siracusa (Syracuse), one of many first sights to greet us was a grand constructing previously often known as the Palazzo Delle Poste. Now house to the Ortea Palace Resort, a part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment, the previous publish workplace close to the water’s edge welcomes its visitors with a surprising, sun-filled courtyard inside an atrium, full with Medieval columns and Italian marble flooring. Outdoors, fishing boats gently bob up and down on the calm Ionian Sea.

Flanked by statues and conventional Sicilian artwork, visitors can soak of their environment upon arrival by having fun with an aperitivo at Champagnetta, the resort’s lounge bar within the coronary heart of the atrium, earlier than heading out to discover the historic heart by foot.

The resort is in a main location to begin and end a good looking strolling route alongside your complete perimeter of the island. A jog alongside the two-mile scenic pathway that hugs the rugged shoreline shortly turned our morning routine. Given the island is barely simply over half a mile lengthy, and even much less vast, all of Ortigia’s sights are inside straightforward strolling distance of the resort. We even left the island to stroll to the Neapolis Archeological Park in Siracusa, which solely took round 45 minutes. After a day exploring the charming, slim streets of Ortigia and indulging in a few of Sicily’s finest culinary delights—from artisanal gelato to arguably the very best pizza I’ve ever eaten—the Ortea Palace Resort provides an expensive retreat to chill out and recharge.

Right here, my overview of Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection.

The Rooms

With 75 rooms and suites, the Ortea Palace provides elegant but comfy lodging with all kinds of choices relying on wants and finances. Given the resort’s enviable waterside location, many suites boast great sea views, with internal-facing rooms above the atrium additionally an choice.

My spouse and I stayed in a signature top-floor suite, which wowed us with a twin side view out to the Ionian Sea and a furnished wrap-around balcony, the proper spot to get pleasure from a glass of Sicilian wine because the solar sank behind the distant hills of Siracusa. Flooring-to-ceiling marble bogs absolutely stocked with Diptyque tub and bathe merchandise added an expensive contact alongside the robes and slippers we loved on the finish of a busy day.

Meals and Drink

The courtyard feels just like the epicenter of the Ortea Palace and has been designed for socializing and entertaining, so it’s no shock that two of the resort’s most important meals and beverage venues are positioned right here, set at reverse ends of the atrium. Il Cortile, the resort’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Take a number of steps throughout the marble ground and you can find your self on the stylish, art-deco lounge bar, Champagnetta. Pull up a luxurious stool and peruse the checklist of traditional Italian cocktails to get pleasure from when you’re entertained by the stay musicians who carry out commonly on the piano.

The resort’s rooftop fine-dining restaurant, Incanto, serves elevated Mediterranean dishes with spectacular views over Ortigia from its terrace and is one thing of a hidden gem for an important day or personal perform.

The Spa

The resort’s spa has been designed to remain true to the constructing’s traditional Italian type whereas making no compromises in the case of making certain it meets all the fashionable expectations of a five-star resort visitor. The ornate swimming pool, full with a small hydrotherapy space, is harking back to a conventional Roman bathhouse. Further services out there to visitors embody a Turkish tub, outsized glass sauna, 24-hour fitness center, multi-sensory showers, and the resort’s newest expertise, La Nuvola (the Cloud), the place a singular remedy makes use of sound, gentle, and movement to create the sensation of being suspended on a cloud.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The resort is designed with accessibility in thoughts, incorporating ramps and elevators in addition to accessible bedrooms and bogs. The resort concierge is offered to arrange accessible transportation, assisted check-in, and personalised help for visitors.

Power-efficient lighting, home equipment, and constructing techniques are utilized to cut back vitality consumption, and the resort takes half in Marriott Worldwide’s efforts to reduce water waste by implementing low-flow fixtures techniques and meals waste by composting.

Location

Given the small dimension of the island and the truth that many areas are inaccessible to automobiles, the easiest way to discover Ortigia is on foot. The resort is steps from town heart, with many choices for consuming and consuming, purchasing, and having fun with historic websites together with church buildings, piazzas, fountains, and the Medieval fortress. Must you resolve to drive to Ortigia, the Ortea Palace Resort does provide valet personal parking for €40 per night time, together with the choice to cost electrical autos for a further price.

Find out how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

As an Autograph Assortment resort, a part of Marriott’s portfolio, you’ll be able to redeem Marriott Bonvoy factors in the direction of your keep on the Ortea Palace Resort.

Nightly charges at Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection begin from €300 (about $340 USD).

Each T+L resort overview is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every resort chosen aligns with our core values.