Villa Igiea, Palermo, Sicily

The hotel runs a complimentary shuttle to the heart of old Palermo, which is now pedestrianised and has a wealth of historic buildings to admire.

Overlooking the marina, the hotel is a short walk from the popular Spiaggia dell'Arenella beach.
By plane: direct flights to Palermo take 3 hours from London and 3 hours 30 minutes from Edinburgh. The hotel is a 30-minute drive. Parking costs €40 per day. skyscanner.com

Well-heeled leisure travellers on a short break to discover the cultural riches of Palermo, or who are on a wider tour of Sicily, will love this hotel. The 50 acres of listed gardens have a rich variety of trees and flowers and are a delightful spot to relax.

The staff are immaculately dressed in stylish uniforms - checked waistcoats and blue trousers at the front desk, white tunics with gold piping in the restaurant.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Garden
• Fitness centre
• Swimming pool
• Spa
• Wellness suite
• Free shuttle
• Free Wi-Fi

For a treat, go for a Deluxe Room with a sea view and private terrace, which feature a super-king-sized bed and Carrara marble bathroom. The plush fabrics, restful hues and super-comfy beds with top quality linen ensure a luxurious night's sleep.

Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Family, Junior Suite, Superior Suite, Sea View Suite, Family Suite, Tower Suite, Igiea Suite, George V Suite, Donna Franca Suite
Facilities include: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, TV, free Wi-Fi

Breakfast is included in the room rate and features a formidable buffet with Sicilian specialties such as sfincione (foccacia-like pizza) and iris parlemitana, a ricotta-stuffed pastry. We recommend the 'special pasta of the day' served under the trees at the Alicetta pool bar.

Florio: elegant, Belle Époque-style dining room. Local ingredients, Sicilian cuisine. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.
Alicetta Pool Bar: al fresco terrace dining. Mediterranean cuisine, light bites and pizzas. Open daily, 10:30am-6pm.