Monaci delle Terre Nere
Italy
Monaci delle Terre Nere
Via Monaci, Zafferana Etnea, Etna, Sicily, Italy
www.monacidelleterrenere.it/en/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Relais & Chateaux
Shareholders
Privately owned
Date of Creation
2012
Hotel General Manager
Giovanna Manganaro, a professional with three decades of experience in luxury hospitality, including the San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Hilton and Acqua Marcia hotels. From 2020 she has been a brand ambassador for the city of Taormina, guiding a project of rebranding, digital marketing and incoming international travel operations.
Hotel Positioning
5-star Luxury; Relais & Chateaux
Development Strategy
Our goal is increasing the European market share (Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Scandinavian countries) and alternative markets such as Arabian Emirates, Quatar etc, by consolidating relationship with leading luxury agents in these countries and therefore growing our revenue and positioning.
Monaci delle Terre Nere
History & Story
In the 17th century, the area has been entrusted to the Discalced Augustinian Monks of Valverde, who shaped the volcanic terrain with extraordinary skill, carving a network of lava-stone terraces that still define the landscape, and laid the foundation for the estate’s remarkable biodiversity. In 2007 Guido Coffa found the abandoned villa and rural farmhouses hidden among terraces and vineyards: love at first sight. He restored it by hand, learned to farm, became a wine sommelier, and slowly brought the estate back to life. The work is carried forward today with his wife Federica and their daughters. A family story rooted in respect for the land and the desire to share the magic of these slopes with guests from around the world.
Date Renewal
2026: regular restoration during seasonal closure
Date added extensions
2018, 2022, further extension in the coming years
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• A spectacular location amongst the vineyards with Mt Etna as a backdrop and amazing views over the Sea, within easy reach from renowned Taormina and the Sicilian eastern Coast, yet immersed in Sicilian nature.
• Authenticity of the Property. Each historic room is the result of a careful restoration project, aimed to preserve and celebrate its original elements. A Sublime blend of historical significance and modern elegance where real luxury becomes an immersive experience.
• Wine Estate and Farmhouse. Food and wines are an experience itself. Our aim is to recover the original tastes and flavors, based on healthy and refined ingredients, including rare native species of fruits and vegetables.
• Dedication to sustainability. The Estate is certified as one of the three Eco-Bio Resorts in Sicily. Here zero-kilometer principles, organic farming and slow living philosophy create an ideal setting for a sustainable retreat.
•One-of-a-kind luxury experience. We’ve created a world filled with fine details intended to engage all the senses but still feel like a home. The conservation of local culture and the land is at the heart of what we do, and our intention is to share it with our guests. Bringing this lesser-known part of Sicily back to life and regenerating the land is an exciting journey for the owner and the team and an exceptional travel experience for our guests.
Location
Mount Etna, Sicily. The resort is ideally located to discover the best of Eastern Sicily. Taormina is only 30 minutes away from the resort with a complimentary daily shuttle available upon reservation, as well as Catania. Etna dominates the horizon at Monaci delle Terre Nere, not just a backdrop, but a living presence that shapes the rhythm of each day. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this volcano is one of the planet’s most extraordinary natural wonders, a place where fire, stone, and sky meet in constant dialogue.
Key sites/activities in the area
Staying at Monaci delle Terre Nere places guests in a truly privileged setting: you’re right in the heart of Eastern Sicily. You don’t have to choose between relaxation and discovery. You can have both. From Mount Etna and its picturesque hillside villages to the Baroque towns of Catania and Noto, the timeless beauty of Taormina and Syracuse, to the coastal charm of Acireale and Acitrezza, all treasures of this side of Sicily are within easy reach, including the enchanting Aeolian Islands.
Fun Facts
Monaci delle Terre Nere is first of all a living organic farm. Vineyards, olive trees, orchards and vegetable gardens are cultivated without pesticides or chemical fertilisers, following organic and Slow Food principles. Over the years, Guido has recovered ancient seed varieties and more than a hundred native species of fruit and trees: a rare heritage that today allows the estate to preserve the unique flavors of Etna. In addition to these, there is a herb garden with dozens of species and wild nature that grows freely.
Terraces and dry-stone walls, centuries-old guardians of local wisdom, protect the soil, preserve water and sustain biodiversity.
In the cellar, only estate-grown grapes are used, harvested by hand and vinified with minimal intervention to preserve the character of Etna’s native varieties.
From energy choices to local sourcing, every decision is made to honour the land and reduce impact, nurturing the territory that makes Monaci possible.
Children’s Corner
Family friendly resort, no age limit is applied.
The resort offers a complimentary weekly program with fun activies for kids and adults, as well as special experiences for the whole family, such as family cooking experience. In suites and villas comfortable sofa beds and baby cots are available without extra charge.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites and villas: 20
• Number of Luxury rooms: 5
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 27
Across the estate, every Suite and Villa is unique, a restored rural dwelling redesigned with refined simplicity and a strong sense of place. These are intimate, generous living environments immersed in nature, created for privacy, comfort, and effortless indoor–outdoor living.
The collection includes Suites, Pool Suites, and private Pool Villas, each offering a distinct way of experiencing the estate. Choose the category that best suits your stay, for couples, families, or guests seeking seclusion, views, or the luxury of a private pool.
Restaurants & Bars
• Locanda Nerello: gastronomic heart of Monaci delle Terre Nere, located in the main Villa
• Luce: offers a relaxed yet refined lunch on the sea-view pool terraces surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and citrus trees
• Convivium Bar: Cocktail Art Inspired by Etna (Etna in a Glass)
• Alma’s Bar: A luminous, easy-luxe lounge by the pool
The cuisine reflects the philosophy that shapes the estate: respect for the land, organic agriculture, and the rhythm of the seasons. Ingredients arrive from our gardens, orchards and vineyards, or from the small artisans who preserve Sicily’s rarest traditions.
Wellness
• Wellness Corner
• Massages in villa or suite (in-room)
• 24-hours gym
• Outdoor Infinite Pool
At Monaci delle Terre Nere, wellness is a gentle invitation to slow down and reconnect with nature. Guests may enjoy their treatments in our serene Wellness Corner, or choose the luxury of having them performed in the privacy of their villa, on a terrace, or among the gardens surrounded by olive trees and volcanic landscape.
Corporate & Celebration Events
At Monaci delle Terre Nere, private events are crafted with a bespoke approach that blends your vision with the natural elegance of our volcanic estate. From the historic Main Villa, with its atmospheric salons and terraces, to the panoramic pool, the olive grove, the Giardino delle Feste area and the rooftop terrace of Orto dei Monaci, every corner transforms into a stage for unforgettable moments.
Corporate events at Monaci delle Terre Nere take shape in an environment where inspiration comes naturally. Instead of conventional meeting rooms, the estate offers atmospheric spaces with their own identity: terraces overlooking the sea, lava-stone courtyards and gardens become a distinctive setting for gatherings, presentations or private board meetings. Curated activities such as wine tastings, mixology rituals, cooking classes and private Etna tours enrich every program with a sense of place.
Extra Notable Features
• Etna Wine Tasting & Vineyard Tours: A sensory journey into the wine soul of Monaci delle Terre Nere. Intimate, curated tastings that reveal the depth of Etna’s volcanic terroir, from the estate’s Guido Coffa organic wines to rare selections from iconic producers.
• Cooking Class Experiences: At Monaci delle Terre Nere, cooking becomes a joyful immersion into the estate’s organic life. Guests gather fresh eggs from the coop, discover seasonal ingredients grown across the estate, and prepare traditional Sicilian pasta guided by our Chefs. An experience possible only in a luxury hotel that is also a working organic farm.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2025
• One MICHELIN Key
• 5th best hotel bar in 2025
• Winner of Green Bar award in 2024
• Accepted in Virtuoso Preferred Partner Program
Number of employees
75