Seven Rooms Villadorata

Central to Noto’s Baroque old town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002 – Seven Rooms Villadorata is located in the private wing of the historic Palazzo Nicolaci, once home to Prince Corrado Nicolaci di Villadorata. This 18th-century palace, one of the grandest in Val di Noto, has been refurbished with careful respect for its princely origins, with each room carrying a distinctive character brought to life through frescoed ceilings, antique furnishings and exclusive linens.

The rooms and suites range in both scale and mood. The Prince Suite is the standout: a 150sqm bedroom with original 19th-century flooring and ceilings over five metres high, paired with a private living room, a 21sqm bathroom and a walk-in closet. The Master Suite leans into oriental-inspired decor and a double shower, while the Grand Suite offers six-metre high ceilings and a second bedroom suited to families or friends travelling together. Three Junior Suites occupy the palace’s noble floor, each with their own private balcony and antique curiosities arranged like a Wunderkammer and the Deluxe categories (Superior, Private Terrace, Studio and Standard) round out the offering with details like coral-decorated bathrooms and courtyard views. Private balconies and terraces throughout look out over the palm-lined courtyard toward the Loggia del Mercato, City Hall and the coastline beyond.

The main dining experience is found at Osteria Villadorata, and is down in the ancient cellars of Palazzo Nicolaci itself. With an emphasis on sustainability and ancestral technique, their menu incorporates local ingredients and conviviality rather than spectacle. Art and design choices by owner Cristina Summa, developed alongside neighbouring gallery Spazionoto, extend the exhibition space into the restaurant, with national and international artists rotating through the walls each season. Another hotspot – the perfect place to witness the baroque heart of Noto bathed in golden ambience as the sun sets – is the Terrazza – a rooftop bar where you can enjoy aperitifs.

Beyond the palazzo, Noto serves as a gateway to southeastern Sicily, including Siracusa, Modica and Ragusa, which all lie within easy reach, as does the Vendicari nature reserve and the seaside village of Marzamemi. It’s an intimate, aristocratic base for travellers who want Sicily’s grandeur delivered with genuine privacy and discretion.