The Rocco Forte Hotels group has decided to expand its Sicilian portfolio with the opening of Villa Igiea.
The Art Nouveau palace, a fully restored villa overlooking the golf course of Palermo, is the place chosen by the British group, founded in 1996, to set up shop. The place is comparable to an urban resort and is located 10 minutes from Palermo city center, accessible both by road and by boat. The palace was designed in 1900 and overlooks the sea with a prime view of the Palermo landscape. Renovation work took two years to give the building a contemporary 21st century style, also adopting the style of the Rocco Forte hotels.
The villa has 104 rooms and suites, all in contemporary and classic Sicilian style. It will also feature a fine restaurant, the Florio, a bar and a poolside bar. Each of these outlets will offer simple but generous cuisine, embodying the family and telling the story of Sicily. The Florio's menu features fresh seasonal produce, fish, shellfish, and pasta. The hotel has a spa, located in the middle of the gardens, by the sea. The spa features a hammam, sauna and massage rooms.
The group's CEO, Sir Rocco Forte, describes the property with the words "charm" and "elegance". He adds that Villa Igiea "has been the focal point of the city of Palermo for over 100 years, hosting artists, emperors and the Hollywood elite, fascinated by the wonders of Sicily”.
Villa Igiea is the group's 13th property to open, the second one in Sicily. The British group does not intend to stop its international expansion, as the West Bund Hotel Shanghai is announced to open during 2021 in China, as well as the Carlton Milan in Italy for 2023.
