Less than half an hour from Siracusa and ideal for pampering in the lovely spa and pool. An oasis of peace and greenery, with a great golf course. Laura loves I Monasteri Golf’s amazing pool, the location and the fabulous blend of old and new.
Only about 15km from Siracusa’s centro storico and the sea, and an hour from Catania Airport, this lovely hotel is a superb choice on many levels. With the motorway about 5 minutes away, I Monasteri Golf is an ideal base for exploring Siracusa, Noto, the south and centre of Sicily. Less than an hour from the airport, it’s superbly accessible, for a short break, for golfing or pampering in the spa. Or, it’s a relaxing place to stay longer, in beautifully elegant surroundings, to completely chill out in its tranquillity.
I Monasteri’s closest town, Floridia, a few kilometres away, is a small rural town, dominated by several interesting churches, and most interesting for the fact that the town is not picture postcard material, but a living, breathing typical Sicilian town.
Set in beautiful countryside of rolling hills and surrounded by its own 18-hole golf course, I Monasteri Golf sits proudly in the landscape. A former Benedictine monastery and grand villa of Sicilian nobility, it is really quite magnificent and fascinating architecturally. Apart from the main structure of the villa, there is a “baglio” or courtyard, reminiscent of the classical Roman villas and so typical of grand houses in Sicily.
There is certainly a feeling of spaciousness at I Monasteri. A cavernous multi-arched hall, at the heart of the hotel, is where guests have a drink at the delightful bar or just relax in sumptuously comfortable sofas and chairs. This has real style – contemporary white and black, but always with a reminder that you are in Sicily, with the traditional Sicilian ceramics adding splashes of colour. In good weather, this area spills out onto the huge terrace, overlooking the baglio.
The I Monasteri rooms certainly feel no less stylish and spacious. They are elegant and have indisputable quality. They feel really rather luxurious for a four star hotel. Some are in the main villa, others are in the baglio and yet others form a modern version of a baglio, like a modern day cloister, surrounding the amazing pool.
The pool at I Monasteri Golf is really intriguing and impressive. With a mature olive tree in the middle of it, it is a collection of levels, shapes and fountains, topped off by a long rectangle. There is also an outside jacuzzi pool, an indoor heated pool and a fantastic spa. How much luxury do guests need?
Well…some also need a golf course! I Monasteri’s 18-hole golf course is spectacular. There is also a club house, a pro-shop, a driving range, putting and chipping green, practice bunker and all the golfing paraphernalia needed on hire.
So, a strikingly attractive blend of antiquity and modernity, sumptuous comfort with real style, a pool, spa and golf course to die for - I Monasteri Golf has it all.
SIRACUSA
Of huge importance to the Greeks, with a population of 500,000, Siracusa competed with Athens to be the most powerful city of the Ancient World. Archimedes, who lived and was eventually killed there, invented war machines, which made life very difficult for the Romans, who later succeeded in their dominance of the city. Normans and Arabs also realised the strategic importance of the port of Siracusa and left their marks. Today, there are only about 120,000 people living there and Ortygia, the small island, which is connected to the main part of Siracusa by bridges, still feels as if it is a miniature version of history, with almost 3,000 years of the past crammed into its narrow streets and piazzas. Spreading away from Ortygia are the other quarters of the city, which hold such things as the Greek and Roman theatres and the archaeological museum and park. Noted for its dry, warm climate, Siracusa is a delight to stroll around and feel part of its history, at any time of the year.
We love Ortygia’s narrow streets, lined with oleander, pretty baroque balconies, tempting glimpses of blue sea and fabulous shops and bars.
The I Monasteri rooms are stylish and spacious. They are elegant and have indisputable quality. They feel really rather luxurious for a four star hotel. Some are in the main villa, others are in the baglio, and yet others form a modern version of a baglio, like a modern day cloister, surrounding the amazing pool. Only two suites are on the first floor, all other rooms are on the ground floor.
CLASSIC ROOM
The smallest double room, but still quite spacious room, with views of the garden or baglio. Shower room.
SUPERIOR ROOM
Slightly larger double/twin room, almost all with furnished verandah, and views of the golf course or the villa itself. Shower room.
DELUXE ROOM
Very spacious and elegant double room, with small sitting area, almost all with furnished verandah, and views of the golf course, the baglio or the villa itself. Shower room.
JUNIOR SUITE
More spacious still, refined and elegant double room, with lounge area and sofa bed. Views of the golf course or the villa itself. Shower room.
SUITE
The most spacious, refined and elegant double room, with lounge area and sofa bed. Views of the golf course or the villa itself. Shower room.
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