Relais Cimillà

The hosts were thoughtful, kind and incredibly helpful, and the location makes it easy to reach all the nearby baroque towns. The little stone courtyard is gorgeous, and the evening sun by the pool is a perfect way to end the day. Rooms are great, especially the comfortable beds and pillows, and breakfast was fresh and delicious. You won't regret booking here.

We nearly spent the whole day here instead of heading to Ragusa. The villa, pool and sea view were so inviting. Breakfast was lovely, with pastries, yogurt, fresh orange juice, espresso and a fantastic homemade ricotta coffee cafe. The hosts sent us to a converted villa restaurant about 10 minutes away, nearly empty when we went, where the food was excellent. We booked at the last minute after our plans changed, expecting somewhere merely serviceable. The drive through farms, with the smell of cow manure coming through the windows, had us a little worried, but we were blown away as soon as we came through the gate. It's a beautifully renovated villa that keeps the charm of its stone walls and original layout while offering modern rooms and amenities. Everything was impeccably clean, and the beds were a godsend after the horrible ones we'd had in AirBnbs around Sicily that week. The owners spoke only a little English but were very welcoming. Their daughter was there and helped translate. They showed us around, including the gorgeous pool and the view that reaches the sea. Most rooms are in the old ground-floor food storage and livestock rooms. Ask about the history, it's really cool. The two-foot-thick stone walls mean those rooms don't have windows, and the Wi-Fi doesn't really reach inside. Knowing they kept so much of the original villa just adds to its charm. It's well worth staying a little outside Ragusa, especially for a relaxing holiday by the pool.

Salvo & Cettina run this charming b&b with real warmth and enthusiasm. They took such good care of us, and Cettina's ricotta-cake was so delicious that she wrote down the recipe for us to take home. Salvo shared helpful ideas for things to see nearby, along with interesting stories and anecdotes. The ancient Sicilian Masseria was originally owned by a local Noble family, then carefully repaired and restored by the hosts. The rooms were very clean and the property well maintained. A lovely experience.

A beautiful place.