For a completely new and different take on Palermo, head to the brand new Rocco Forte Villa Igiea luxury hotel in Sicily. We took a direct flight from Switzerland to Palermo to check out this stunning new addition to the Rocco Forte portfolio. If you’ve never been to Sicily, this property is a great way to experience this magical island for the first time.
![Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy has undergone a fantastic renovation as the newest hotel in Palermo](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110479.jpg)
![Beautiful spaces including green plants and high bright ceilings at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110478.jpg)
![Don't miss the cocktails directed by Salvatore Calabrese at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy in the](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110451.jpg)
![Find antiques and interesting design pics like this greyhound dog sculpture at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/rocco-forte-villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-sicily-italy-dog-sculpture-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110480.jpg)
![Villa Igiea Hotel Sicily is an escape from the busy city of Palermo](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110468.jpg)
It’s located just outside the busy and historic port city of Palermo and offers a shuttle service that will drop you off in the center of the town. This makes it easy to explore the markets, shops, and restaurants, with the ability to return to your luxurious retreat outside of the city at the end of the day.
![A room view from the newest luxury hotel from Rocco Forte, Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/room-view-rocco-forte-villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-sicily-italy-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-0702.jpg)
![The Taste Edit loves this shell pendant lamp hanging in the room at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110317.jpg)
![Rocco Forte Villa Igiea reopens after extensive renovation of this grand luxury Hotel in Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110307.jpg)
![Large bathrooms are included in the renovated Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110316.jpg)
![Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy utilizes blue and gold as their colors taken from an original fresco at the hotel](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110311.jpg)
![You'll find comfortable and well designed bedrooms at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110309.jpg)
![Grand hotel Villa Igiea in Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110303.jpg)
Villa Igiea is a 19th-century palazzo that was once owned by one of the wealthiest families in Palermo and has been transformed into what is undoubtedly the most luxurious hotel in the Palermo area. The historic buildings and lush landscape make you feel like you’ve escaped to a unique destination, all just minutes away from Sicily’s most important city center. The inside of the hotel has been completely renovated using colors and patterns inspired by an original mural in the hotel. The renovation was so comprehensive that it feels like you’re staying in a brand new hotel, yet it retains its charm and history.
![frozen in martini served at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy Igiea Terrazza Bar](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-bar-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110341.jpg)
![Igiea Terrazza Bar serves street food like arancini at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-bar-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110334.jpg)
![Igiea Terrazza Bar run by director Salvatore Calabrese serving frozen gin martinis like Duke's in London at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-bar-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110325.jpg)
![Fabulous Igiea Terrazza Bar at the Rocco Forte Grand Hotel Villa Igiea in Palermo, Italy by Sarah Stanfield at The Taste Edit](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/rocco-forte-villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-igiea-terrazza-bar-sicily-italy-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-0764-wide.jpg)
Our flight landed a little too late for lunch, so after we checked into our room, we stopped into the Igiea Terrazza Bar for snacks and drinks before heading to dinner. We were pleasantly surprised to see a frozen glass and bottle of frozen gin removed from the freezer when Clayton ordered a martini – the best way to serve a martini in our opinion. The bar is overseen by creative director Salvatore Calabrese, who invented the famous frozen gin martinis that are served at Duke’s in London, so they serve the bar’s signature “my martini” in this style. This came paired with a plate of snacks inspired by local street food like arancini and panelle. I appreciated that their non-alcoholic cocktails were actually very good and not just juices or sweet cocktails — they were extremely balanced. My favorite was the “peperoncino mio,” made with honey, chili, and basil.
![Florio restaurant Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo is filled with bold white and green with towering palms in local Sicilian ceramic pots](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110471.jpg)
![Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy Florio restaurant has a great wine list of small production wine and natural wines from Sicily](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-florio-restaurant-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110344.jpg)
![Florio restaurant in Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy serving pasta with shrimp](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-florio-restaurant-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110355.jpg)
![Salt-baked fish at Florio restaurant in Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-florio-restaurant-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110373.jpg)
Later that evening, we had dinner at the exquisite Florio restaurant. Decorated in bold white and green with towering palms in local ceramic pots, the menu offers numerous local dishes made with fresh products like salt-baked fish and pasta with Sicilian prawns. The wine list was equally impressive, including a selection of natural and small production wines from Sicily.
![Breakfast on the terrage at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110450.jpg)
![Fresh fruit tarts and filled cannolis are served for breakfast at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110472.jpg)
![Try the cannoli at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110477.jpg)
![Don't miss the breakfast at Villa Igiea Hotel Palermo Sicily Italy](https://thetasteedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/villa-igiea-hotel-palermo-thetasteedit-sarah-stanfield-1110474.jpg)
Breakfast is served daily on the patio of Florio with a selection of traditional Italian dishes, fruit, eggs (we suggest trying the eggs with zucchini and mint), and even freshly filled cannoli.
It bears repeating that the location of this stunning property is ideal. It’s just a short drive to downtown Palermo as well as the famous beaches north of the city. You can also just spend time by Villa Igiea’s beautiful pool or indulge in a treatment at their Irene Forte spa.
Villa Igiea, Via Belmonte, 43, 90142 Palermo PA, Italy, Note: Villa Igiea provided support for the reporting of this story.