Europe's Newest Luxury Golf & Spa Resort Opens in Sicily

Verdura Golf & Spa Resort fuses strong, modernist, environmentally-sensitive architecture with design that is simultaneously luxurious, firmly rooted in Sicilian culture and inspired by the spectacular Mediterranean setting.

In keeping with the raw, rugged scenery beyond the property, the architect, Flavio Albanese of Vicenza and Palermo, has applied minimalist, contemporary lines to the construction of Verdura's accommodation, spa, restaurants and exciting outdoor entertainment arena. Making full use of the 230-hectare property, the 203 rooms and suites are generously sized and grouped and landscaped so that every one has a private terrace and an uninterrupted, breathtaking view of both the sea and the property itself, stretching away across the golf courses, the orange, lemon and olive groves, to the mountains in the distance.

Taking inspiration from Mexican architect Luis Barragan, Albanese has used bold, Latin terracotta and ochre for the exterior of the buildings, varied the textures by mixing stone, sand and wood and also incorporated essential ecologically-aware features, including solar energy and water-recycling – this is particularly important in Sicily, where rainfall is minimal and concentrated around short periods in the year.

The Rocco Forte Collection's, Director of Design, Olga Polizzi, has brought her experienced and intelligent hand to bear on the design and feel of the resort, so that it has a tangible sense of place, the unmistakable lustre of luxury, a pared-down, contemporary edge and a simplicity that is in keeping with the local culture and the mood of the moment.

Polizzi explains, "My inspiration always starts with the place. Every project is a different thinking process: you ask 'what is right for this place?' I found Sicily hard, raw and rugged and this was reflected in the square, strong forms we have used and the hot colours. We also aimed to achieve a balance here between luxury and important ecological considerations."

"Scouring the island, Polizzi found that handcrafted tiles were a key traditional feature of its houses and villas, so this became a cornerstone of the design for Verdura. She borrowed the pattern from a 19th century tile and used it in different forms as a motif throughout Verdura's private and public spaces. The throws, lampshades and cushions in the bedrooms, and the walls and upholstery in one of the restaurants all feature this motif. Sicilian company Caltagirone handcrafted the tiles which are used throughout the resort.

"In the rooms and suites, each one slightly different from the next, Polizzi has set intense, Sicilian colours – violet, ochre, scarlet – as accents against a white background. Modern four-poster beds in dark wood have simple, romantic, white muslin curtains. Soft lighting is provided by lamps with fabric cylinders made by the renowned Italian lighting company, Flos. The floors are polished concrete.

Local mosaic was sourced for the bathroom walls. Colourful local artefacts used in the rooms include pots that were commissioned from a local potter and tiled tabletops. At the entrance to each room (and at reception) are plaster reliefs of ancient Sicilian artefacts and recreated by Italian company Recuperando. To create continuity from inside to outside, and to reflect the Sicilian grasses, bamboo canes have been used over the terraces to create shade and then emulated on the room ceilings by taking a plaster mould of the canes.

The rooms and suites are situated in either a 'courtyard' or 'landscape' building, each with private terraces and uninterrupted sea views. In all there are 47 suites, two large Ambassador Suites (169 sq m) and a Presidential Suite (175 sq m) which has its own swimming pool, hot tub, outdoor dining area and three private terraces.

All of the bedrooms feature walk-through wardrobes and spacious, naturally-lit bathrooms with walk-in showers for two, stone vanity tops and seating areas.

A number of well-known Italian companies have collaborated in the resort design process, including Paola Lenti, Bonacina, Driade, Porada, Flexform and Gabianelli.

For more information and reservations: Verdura Golf & Spa Resort

More information: The Rocco Forte Collection