Rocco Forte Villa Igiea

Located by the harbor where dock cranes compete with yachts, Villa Igiea offers quiet and relaxation in total contrast to Palermo. We arrived from their sister property Verdura so they knew we were coming. However the suite was not ready and had to wait 90 minutes. We could had easily left Verdura later to avoid this. Our suite on the second level was spacious and had two doors overlooking the harbor. Alas, construction on the harbor is all day, loud and obnoxious, ruining the peaceful landscape. The resort is a bit of a maze with plenty of stairs to climb to get where you want to go. Spa was closed for renovations, another miss. Gym is decent although no bathroom nearby. Pool area is compact and there are small gardens along the harbor path. Their poolside restaurant, Alicita, has harbor views. Menu is expensive and food is mediocre at best. Their main restaurant, Florio, has a huge outdoor deck which features a buffet breakfast and dinner. They offer shuttle service to downtown, 25 minutes. However, Palermo is the least desirable city we have experienced in Italy and I recommend avoiding it altogether on your trip to Sicily. Overall, Villa Igiea is our least favorite RF property especially after visiting Verdura which is exceptional.

We recently spent 4 days at Villa Igiea and had a wonderful experience. The service was outstanding as was the dining experience at both the Floria restaurant and the Terrazzo bar. The entire staff was welcoming and made us feel like we were special celebrities. This is an old world hotel that is very well maintained and operated. The included breakfast was amazing. The pool area can use some updating but that did not diminish our overall experience. Thank you to all the staff for your warm hospitality.

We celebrated my birthday with a romantic dinner at Villa Igiea, and the evening began beautifully. Our reserved table had a stunning view of the sea and the garden, and even though we weren’t hotel guests, the staff kindly arranged parking for us. The food was excellent — the avocado purée with marinated watermelon was fresh and creative, the eggplant ravioli were incredibly tender, the filet was perfectly cooked, and the shared mini‑cake with pecorino ricotta and raspberries was a lovely finish. Champagne, rosé, and dessert wine paired wonderfully with each course. Live music added a charming touch. However, the service did not fully match the level of the cuisine. Three different staff members took our order, which created confusion, and the pasta was served before the starter. It was also very warm on the terrace; considering the season, some cooling solutions would make the experience more comfortable. Prices are high, and while the food justifies them, the service should be equally polished. The most disappointing moment came at the end: our change was handed to us inside the bill folder as a single banknote carelessly folded up like an accordion, which looked disrespectful when we opened it. We had already included a small tip in the total — despite the service being below expectations — so receiving change in that condition felt especially inappropriate.A beautiful place with excellent food and atmosphere, but the service needs refinement to truly match the setting.

Absolutely gorgeous hotel!! The food is to die for, every single dish from breakfast to lunch to dinner was OUTSTANDING!!! The manager Mauro is extremely kind and attentive! The rooms are stunning and the hotel feels very quiet. We also loved aperitivo at the bar with beautiful views. Due to Catania airport closure we had to return to Palermo and they allowed my partner to rest at the hotel while waiting for his flight which was very kind and generous as well. They will go out of their way to make you feel at home.