Villa Igiea
Sicilian Belle Époque grandeur with a considered contemporary touch. Formal without being stuffy. The kind of place that suited King Edward VII in 1907 and suits honeymooners, art-history obsessives, and well-heeled Italians on long weekends equally well.
Ask for a sea-view room at minimum — the courtyard-facing classics are comfortable but the Gulf view is the point of being here
Why It Matters
One of the great historic hotels of the Mediterranean — Ernesto Basile's only hotel commission, built for Italy's most glamorous 19th-century dynasty. Claudia Cardinale, Burt Lancaster, and Alain Delon stayed here during the filming of The Leopard. King Edward VII lunched here in 1907. The Sala Basile fresco room is a genuine masterpiece of Italian Art Nouveau.
A 19th-century palazzo perched above the Gulf of Palermo, Villa Igiea was originally commissioned by the powerful Florio dynasty and designed by Sicilian architect Ernesto Basile, the father of the island's Art Nouveau movement. Acquired by Rocco Forte Hotels in 2019, the property was restored by Olga Polizzi and Paolo Moschino — period features intact, interiors refreshed. The original Sala Basile fresco hall survives, the tiered gardens sweep down toward the sea, and the 100 rooms range from compact courtyard-facing classics to the 144 sqm Donna Franca Suite with its private sea-view terrace.
Where You'll Stay
16 room types available
Classic Room
Entry-level rooms at 27 sqm — compact but well-designed. City or inner courtyard views. Marble bathrooms with handmade Sicilian floor tiles. A solid base if you're planning to spend most of your time exploring or at the bar.
King (can be twinned) · 27 sqm
Deluxe Room with Sea View
Same 31 sqm footprint as the Superior but oriented toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. Waking up to that view makes the price jump worthwhile.
King (can be twinned) · 31 sqmDeluxe Room with Sea View and Terrace
Still 31 sqm inside, but with the addition of a private terrace facing the sea. Natural light pours in. Good value if terraces are the priority.
King (can be twinned) · 31 sqmDonna Franca Suite with Terrace and Sea View
The flagship at 144 sqm — named after Franca Florio, the original mistress of the villa and one of the defining style icons of the Belle Époque. Contemporary surrounds, local artwork, a separate living room, and a sea-view terrace kitted out with loungers and sunbeds. The largest and most prestigious room in the hotel.
King (can be twinned) · 144 sqmFamily Room
Two interconnecting Deluxe rooms forming a 62 sqm family unit sleeping up to four guests, with sea views. A practical and spacious option for families.
Two kings (can be twinned) · 62 sqmFamily Suite with Sea View
A suite plus an adjoining Deluxe sea-view room, totalling 100 sqm. Sleeps up to five adults and one child. The most spacious family option, with views over the Gulf.
Two kings (can be twinned) · 100 sqmGeorge V Suite with Terrace and Sea View
105 sqm named after King George V, who actually stayed here during his 1925 visit to Sicily. Period features meet a sea-view terrace. One of the truly storied suites in Italian hospitality.
King (can be twinned) · 105 sqmIgiea Suite with Terrace and Sea View
76 sqm Forte Suite evoking a Sicilian private residence — ample space for entertaining, a sea-view terrace, and the full Rocco Forte amenity package.
King (can be twinned) · 76 sqmJunior Suite
40 sqm of quiet elegance — plush fabrics, fine artwork, garden or courtyard views. Two Junior Suites in total; the calm, serene option for those who don't need a sea view but want proper suite space.
King (can be twinned) · 40 sqmJunior Suite with Sea View
38 sqm looking out over the sea — the smallest of the sea-view suites, but the period details and Carrara marble bathrooms punch well above the size.
King (can be twinned) · 38 sqmJunior Suite with Terrace
41 sqm with a private terrace overlooking the garden or city. Heritage features and contemporary amenities. The terrace is the distinguishing draw here.
King (can be twinned) · 41 sqmSea View Suite
69 sqm facing the Gulf. Unobstructed views over sapphire water, walk-in shower, Carrara marble bathroom. A genuinely good suite at this category.
King (can be twinned) · 69 sqmSea View Suite with Terrace
64 sqm with wooden floors, an earthy palette, hand-stitched fabrics, curated artworks, antiques — and a private sea-view terrace. One of the more atmospheric suites in the building.
King (can be twinned) · 64 sqmSuperior Room
A step up in space at 31 sqm, still with city or courtyard views but with a slightly more generous layout and taller windows that let in the Sicilian light.
King (can be twinned) · 31 sqmSuperior Suite
56 sqm with garden or city views from the palazzo. Spacious, calm, and dressed in hand-stitched fabrics and antiques. The suite's separate sitting area gives it proper room to breathe.
King (can be twinned) · 56 sqmTower Suite with Sea View
82 sqm set within the palazzo's iconic tower, with several balconies looking out over both the gardens and the sea. Three Tower Suites available. A distinctive address inside a distinctive building.
King (can be twinned) · 82 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Cycle along the coast through Arenella village and Mondello beach, exploring the 400-hectare Royal Favorita Park and Capo Gallo Nature Reserve.
Visit a historic open-air market with a local chef, discover street food including panelle and pane con la milza, then cook a full Sicilian feast in a welcoming local home.
Experience Palermo's traditional Sicilian puppet theatre — the Opera dei Pupi, a UNESCO-recognised art form depicting the Paladins of France with hand-crafted armored figures.
Private guided tour of Palermo aboard the city's classic three-wheeled tuk-tuk, covering Baroque streets, markets, and Arab-Norman landmarks. Ends with street food.
Private Fiat 500 tour covering La Cala harbor, Quattro Canti, Norman Palace, Monreale Cathedral, and Teatro Massimo.
Guided tour of Agrigento's ancient Greek ruins followed by an exclusive picnic in Diodoros Garden surrounded by citrus groves.
Starts at Mercato del Capo with street food sampling, moves through central Palermo (Quattro Canti, Cathedral), then transfers to Monreale's 12th-century Arab-Norman Cathedral and Cloister.
Off-road adventure through western Sicily's Mediterranean flora and fauna, with views of the Egadi Islands and Segesta Temple, ending at the Seggestana thermal baths.
On-site tennis court available to hotel guests.
Mercedes-chauffeured journey into Sicily's Sosio Valley and Palazzo Adriano. Meet a shepherd, taste warm ricotta, craft cannoli with a village baker, share a family lunch, and meet local artisans.
Boat excursions departing from the villa's private dock. Cruise along Mondello's coastline, swim in turquoise coves, and explore the Capo Gallo Nature Reserve. Refreshments provided; lunch may be served on board.
Visit the Sallier de La Tour estate in the Monreale DOC. Taste wines, explore the Liberty-style cellar and hillside vineyards, paired with Tasca d'Almerita olive oil and bites.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Multiple event spaces including the historic Sala Basile fresco hall, available for private dining, corporate events, and weddings.
Terraced villa gardens designed by Ernesto Basile, sweeping down toward the port and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Some produce used in Florio Restaurant and Alicetta.
Outdoor swimming pool, open seasonally (typically May–October), with views over the gardens and the Gulf of Palermo. Adjacent to the Alicetta bistro.
Membership in the Rocco Forte Friends programme provides access to benefits across all Rocco Forte properties worldwide.
Full concierge team organising activities, excursions, boat trips, restaurant reservations, and private transfers throughout Sicily.
On-site tennis court.
On-site boat dock from which the Villa Boats excursions depart. The property has direct water access.
Full-service spa with 4 individual treatment rooms, one couples suite with private terrace, beauty salon, relaxation room, and outdoor terrace. Open 10:30–20:00 daily.
State-of-the-art gym with Technogym cardio and strength equipment, dedicated fitness studio for yoga and Pilates.
BUILD YOUR VILLA IGIEA, A ROCCO FORTE HOTEL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning