Photography: Verdura Resort
Verdura Resort Sicily
Reviewed by Joeri Van Overloop
Set the scene
Immersed in the stunning Sicilian coastline, surrounded by olive trees and citrus groves, the Verdura Resort is a sanctuary of sheer natural beauty. Gazing upon the Mediterranean vista from the lush green fairways of the golf course, one relishes the dreamy palette of blues and greens that extend into the horizon. Equally enchanting is the mild sea breeze fanning across the resort, the ripple of the surf barely heard over the whisper of swaying palms and the songbirds’ symphony, composing an expressive backdrop to the sun-soaked days at this sumptuous retreat.
In the heart of the resort, a truly vibrant ambiance awaits you. Whether you choose to lounge by the expansive infinity pool or enjoy a leisurely walk along the private beach, the laid-back yet sophisticated atmosphere envelopes you and offers an unrivaled level of comfort. The resort’s architecture, a harmonious blend of modern design and Sicilian tradition, adds to the spectacle. Amidst this spectacular setting, gleaming under the Sicilian sun, or bathed in the gentle glow of dusk, the Verdura Resort paints an unforgettable scene, inviting and captivating in equal measure.
What can we expect in our room
The Verdura resort offers a variety of meticulously appointed accommodations, spanning Deluxe, Superior Deluxe and Junior Suites. Attention to detail is key in each room, from the plush linen on the vast, inviting beds to the state-of-the-art multimedia systems. A delicate blend of modern comforts and traditional Sicilian styling evokes a unique sense of place and continuity. Strikingly large windows frame sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea, allowing gentle, salty breezes to waft through the rooms.
Room service, available 24/7, ensures you have everything you need at your fingertips at the Verdura Resort. From a divine cappuccino as dawn brushes the sky to a gourmet midnight snack under the cloak of darkness, it's all just a phone call away. Exquisite bathrooms fitted with premium amenities bring the spa experience right into your personal space. Rain showers and decadent bathtubs offer a soothing soak after an exhilarating day of sun-soaked adventures.
How about the food and drinks at the Verdura Resort
The resort's main restaurant, Zagara, offers Mediterranean cuisine with a seasonal menu that emphasizes fresh local ingredients, many of which are harvested from the resort’s organic garden.
Moreover, the resort’s bar program aesthetically complements its culinary counterpart. Sophisticated cocktails are crafted at the stylish Granita bar while the Ondina Pool bar caters to those who prefer to sip on their drinks by the serene infinity pool. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the extensive selection of Sicilian wines, featuring curated picks from renowned local Sicilian vineyards.
What about the service
At the Verdura Resort, an experience that earns unanimous praise from guests is the top-notch service and hospitality, the very epitome of professionalism and warmth. A fusion of efficiency and amiability, an intriguing blend of crystal-clear communication with a sense of geniality.
Whether it's the room service meticulously setting up your fairy tale-like dining experience on the private balcony or the staff's proficiency and alacrity in arranging spontaneous transport services or last-minute bookings, there's always an air of unwavering dedication. Count on the staff’s genuine enthusiasm to ensure your comfort and their expert knowledge of the resort, providing invaluable advice on activities, eateries or hidden corners of the Verdura's sprawling estate.
What’s the neighbourhood scene like?
Enclosed by the pristine Sicilian landscape, the Verdura Resort area presents a diverse local scene with plenty to pique a visitor's curiosity. As soon as you step out, vineyards that look like strokes in a painter's canvas welcome you in earshot. Olive orchards sway gently alongside fields rich with the likes of tomatoes and artichokes. Around the bend, you'll find rustic farmhouses scattered amidst windswept hills, their sage-thatch roofs a stark contrast against the vibrant hues of the Italian countryside.
Just a quick jaunt from the resort, a network of medieval villages invites an exploration of Sicily's storied past. Each village has its own charm; often, you'll notice a small church or a charming café nestled on a narrow street. These streets spring to life during the village feasts, brimming with colors and music. The local markets, a kaleidoscope of colors and smells, offer Sicilian delicacies, with the mellifluous sounds of Italian providing a perfect soundtrack.
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What’s the backstory?
The land, once cherished by nobility, was owned by the Verdura family in the 19th century. The verdant 230-hectare estate passed through various reputable hands until it caught the eye of eminent hotelier Sir Rocco Forte in the early 21st century. Inspired by the sublime scenery and rich cultural heritage, Forte had a vision - to create an immersive, luxury experience blending Sicily's authenticity with world-class hospitality.
Initiating this colossal project in 2005, Forte teamed up with renowned architect Flavio Albanese and interior designer Olga Polizzi. Together they fashioned an unrivaled resort that harmoniously merged Sicilian tradition with contemporary elegance.
Celebrating its grand opening in 2009, the resort has since been a testament to the seamless integration of luxury and authenticity, offering unforgettable experiences to discerning travelers worldwide. Sir Rocco Forte’s thoughtful touches, from local art adorning the walls to the adoption of indigenous fauna in its landscaping, underline a deep respect for the rich Sicilian context and tradition.
Price Range
To give you a measure, nightly rates at the resort start from around €250 for a deluxe room during the off-peak season. But don't forget, this price only climbs up when you look at peak season rates or choose more expansive lodging choices like suites or villas, ranging anywhere from €400 to over €3000 per night.
Just remember, these prices stand justified against the resort's promise to offer incredible value with a unique blend of unforgettable experiences, luxurious relaxation, and supreme comfort. Whether you're gearing up for a golf retreat or a serene spa weekend, every penny invested in the Verdura Resort assures a rich, unmatched holiday experience.
Amenities & Facilities
Heavy with the scent of oranges and olive groves, the resort boasts panoramic golf courses that could rival any worldwide, completely transforming your vacation into an unmatched golfing retreat.
Adding to the allure, the resort offers an expansive spa, where ancient Sicilian traditions meet pioneering science for a unique sensory experience. The pampering doesn't just end here. A labyrinth of four Thalasso therapy pools and a range of personalized treatments greet you, along with a state-of-the-art fitness center.
For food and wine connoisseurs, an in-house vineyard awaits discovery. And for those who believe in balancing leisure with adventure, Verdura has a variety of outdoor sports, including tennis and water sports. Just imagine, one can even have a private cooking lesson!
How to get to the Verdura Resort in Sicily
As you touch down at Falcone-Borsellino Airport in Palermo or Vincenzo Florio Airport in Trapani, the two closest international airports to the resort. An efficient public transport system in Sicily can lead you to the verdant expanse of the resort situated in the southwest. Direct train services run regularly from Palermo to the nearest railway station, Sciacca. From the Sciacca station, it's just a breezy 15-minute taxi ride to the resort.
If public transportation doesn't cut it for you after a tiring journey, or you wish for a more private and comfortable commute, consider taking a taxi directly from the airport. Indeed, the Sicilian taxi services are known for their cordial drivers who can supply a wealth of local knowledge along the scenic 90-minute ride from Palermo or a two-hour journey from Trapani to the Verdura Resort.
What Customers Have To Say
Esperienza perfetta. Mare e natura
Location meravigliosa e il servizio è di altissima qualità
Lo staff è a dir poco speciale. Educati, sorridenti, cortesi e disponibili
Consiglio con tutto il cuore
I appreciate the GM responding to my inital review and I want to thank him and his team for making our stay as good as possible including a room upgrade and a champagne for my parent's anniversary. They did not have to do any of this and I appreciate their effort to go above and beyond. I also want to complement Angela from guest services and Micaela (Mikaela?) from check in. Their personalized attention to what we needed and to making sure we had what we needed was genuinely appreciated. They made me feel the personalized level of service that I thought I was going to be receiving from a hotel of this caliber (again the benchmark is Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Mandarin and other Rocco Forte properties).
The good is that the staff is incredibly kind (well intentioned but they do not always follow through or they need some prompting/reminders to get you what you ordered); the property is in a gorgeous setting with the mountains and the sea as a backdrop to your daily coffee and walk around the golf courses; and the spa pool and facilities are world class.
Overall, I still feel the rooms and the non-main or suite buildings need some TLC (we joked that one of the buildings had a letter that was peeling off giving it another name). Even if the upgraded room was bigger, bigger is not necessarily better because the finishes are still tired and are showing their age. I also asked for a hammock like all the other suites had and even after 2 days of requesting it by day 3 when it did not show up it became a joke that the hammock must be coming from Rome.
Overall, I will say that while being in Italy I felt like I could have been in any resort in the US. I missed the local charm and also the benefits that come from being in Europe it felt a bit too sterile and corporate to the point that I kept telling myself I could be anywhere but Italy while staying here.
INITIAL REVIEW: Day 1 of arrival and I have to say that it was the one I was most excited about on this trip to Sicily given the fame this hotel has. Service and staff are incredible as is the location and the amenities, but the rooms leave a lot to be desired.
For what you pay and the hype around the hotel the rooms are lackluster. I have stayed in many 5 star hotels and when you reach these prices its the little details in the room that places something over the top. Here you have scuffed furniture and walls, lamps in the room that are tired and have stains on them, concrete floors without any sort of rug or accessory to warm your feet and bathroom products that are basic.
The room could be a copy paste of a lot of other 4 star rooms I have stayed in elsewhere. Again, I get the location and the service but when you come to a hotel the room is the main attraction as well as the place where you spend a significant portion of your time. In this aspect this hotel is pretty copy paste (ie could be anywhere in the world) and misses the mark for what I was expecting from one of the best hotels in Sicily.
The only negative part was the golf course. There was been a very long draught in Sicily and the course was in rough shape. They probably should have been offering a discounted rate. Regardless, this resort and the staff were incredible.
ich möchte Ihnen zunächst ein großes Lob für das Verdura Resort aussprechen. Wir haben in der Vergangenheit bereits mehrfach bei Ihnen Urlaub gemacht und immer eine wundervolle Zeit verbracht. Die Kombination aus traumhafter Lage, hervorragendem Service, einem wunderschönen Golfplatz und kulinarisch erstklassigen Restaurants macht Ihr Resort zu einem perfekten Ort, um sich zu erholen.
Leider hat unser Aufenthalt dieses Jahr eine unerwartete Wendung genommen, die wir so nicht erwartet hätten. Von Mittwoch bis Sonntag fand eine Großveranstaltung mit etwa 100 französischen Gästen statt, die ein religiöses Fest feierten. Während dieser Zeit wurden große Teile der Anlage, des Strands und der Restaurants lautstark von dieser Gruppe beansprucht, was für uns und vermutlich auch andere Gäste sehr störend war.
Besonders auffällig war das rücksichtslose Verhalten der Jugendlichen, die ziellos mit Golfcarts durch die Anlage fuhren und die bereitgestellten Fahrräder beschädigt zurückließen. Zudem wurde in den Restaurants häufig geraucht, was den Genuss unserer Mahlzeiten erheblich beeinträchtigte. Auch das Personal schien unter der Arroganz und Überheblichkeit der Gruppe zu leiden, was uns sehr unangenehm auffiel.
Wir lieben Ihr Resort und schätzen die großartigen Mitarbeiter: innen sehr, weshalb wir es bedauern, dass diese Veranstaltung die sonst so erholsame und exklusive Atmosphäre erheblich beeinträchtigt hat. Ich möchte Sie daher bitten, solche Großanlässe in Zukunft besser zu planen oder zu vermeiden, um den besonderen Charme und die Reputation des Resorts zu bewahren.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit. Wir würden uns freuen, bei einem zukünftigen Aufenthalt wieder die gewohnte Ruhe und den exzellenten Service genießen zu können.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Pier Luigi Grosso
To complete the review of the facilities played three rounds of golf (two wonderful courses), used the spa (wow!), played padel tennis (two new courts are a great addition), used the beach (lovely sandy beach), and ran / walked most of the grounds.
Finally a special thanks to the guest services team and the room staff for organising some wonderful flowers and for preparing the room so beautifully to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
A presto Paolo e Petra tornetta
Contact:
Address: S.S. 115, Km 131, 92019 Sciacca AG, Italy
Phone: +39 0925 998001
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed within this article are the author’s alone, not those of any travel/leisure company, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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