Alberi Del Paradiso in Cefalu, Sicily

Alberi Del Paradiso is an ancient manor house surrounded by lush gardens with a large swimming pool that offers views over the Gulf of Cefalù. The pool area is an oasis of calm with comfortable sun loungers and shaded spots under the mature trees, along with a bar serving drinks and light snacks. The grounds contain a tennis court, a children's playground, and a shared lounge/TV area, all set among beautifully maintained vegetation and local ceramics.

From June to September, the hotel offers a free seasonal shuttle bus service that connects guests with a private beach area on the seafront of Cefalù, equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas exclusively for hotel guests. The shuttle runs multiple times a day on the way to the manor, making the 1-kilometre distance convenient and easy. Guests also have access to the Calette Beach/Calette Reef Club and can use the sister property Le Calette for dining options.

The on-site restaurant, Al Capone, serves local Sicilian specialities, including Slow Food products, with meals served in the garden during spring and summer. Breakfast is a buffet with a wide range of options, including fresh fruit, cold meats and cheeses, and pastries baked in-house, plus a make-your-own juice bar. The hotel also has a coffee house on site, a snack bar at the pool, and for dinner, the chef can accommodate special dietary requests with advance notice.

The hotel has a wellness area with a sauna, steam room, hammam, and massage rooms offering body treatments, facials, and couple's massages. A fitness centre with equipment is available (reservation required for one-hour slots), along with yoga classes, a personal trainer, and a solarium. Guests can also take part in walking tours, bike tours, and live music or evening entertainment on-site.

All rooms feature decorated tiled floors, classic wooden furniture, and air conditioning, with some rooms overlooking the gardens and rooms on higher floors offering views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The bathrooms include rain showers, towel warmers, and high-quality toiletries, and the beds have down mattress toppers and down pillows. The hotel offers 66 rooms, including deluxe double rooms, superior double rooms with garden or partial sea views, and a Prestige Mulino suite.

Location: Hilltop manor, 20-min walk from Cefalù's historic centre and Norman Cathedral

Grounds: Ancient manor house with lush gardens and a heated infinity pool

Beach: Private beach area with free seasonal shuttle service

Dining: Restaurant Al Capone serving Sicilian Slow Food specialities

Wellness: Sauna, steam room, hammam, massage rooms, yoga classes

Rooms: 66 rooms with decorated tiled floors and classic wooden furniture