Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Salita Belmonte, 43, 90142 Palermo PA, Italy
www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/villa-igiea/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Rocco Forte Hotels
Shareholders
Privately Owned
Date of Creation
Villa Igiea dates back to the 1890s
Hotel General Manager
Daniele Vastolo
Hotel Positioning
5-star Luxury
Development Strategy
A meticulous restoration to preserve its exquisite historical features while keeping with Rocco Forte’s signature design style. The renowned Basile room, the frescoed bar and the grand mirrored ballroom will be restored to its natural beauty while the rooms and suites will be designed to reflect a Sicilian oasis that is contemporary and classic.
Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel
History & Story
Originally designed and built as a private villa at the end of the 19th century by English admiral Cecil Domville, Villa Igiea used to feature a neo-Gothic style design. After Domville passed away in 1904, the Florio family purchased the property, restored it and turned it into a luxury hotel. Ignazio Florio, the head of this entrepreneurial family, named the villa after his daughter, Igiea. He decided to renovate the building to soften its severe neo-Gothic style and hired Italian Art Nouveau architect Ernesto Basile to complete the renovation in 1899. A fan of Art Nouveau, Basile was one of the first to adopt the style, and its influences can still be admired today. In a moment of magical splendour of the cultural life in Palermo, Florio’s aim was to transform Villa Igiea as the ultimate luxury retreat for the Belle Époque – and for a short time, it was. Indeed, the hotel was one of the favourite venues of the bourgeoisie and the Belle Époque aristocracy who often held dances at the hotel. Unfortunately, after the renovation was complete, Florio’s dream would not last long, as after the start of the World War I in 1914, the luxury hotel became a hospital.
Eventually the building was acquired by a bank based in Sicily, and was restored to its status as a luxury hotel hosting royalty, dignitaries and Hollywood luminaries. Purchased in 2019, Villa Igiea is now part of the Rocco Forte Hotels family.
Date Renewal
2019/2020. Designed by Olga Polizzi in collaboration with Paolo Moschino of Nicholas Haslam Studios.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• Turn-of-the-century historic palazzo
• Existing reputation: beloved by royalty, dignitaries, Hollywood luminaries
• Great historic background
• Distinctive interior design revitalised by Olga Polizzi
• Enchanting location
• Panoramic views of Palermo’s bay
• Proximity to vivid Palermo
• Easily accessible from Palermo airport
• Easily to combine with Verdura Resort
• Ideal for meetings, events, weddings
Location
• Located by the tranquil area of the marina just 3km from Palermo’s bustling city centre
• 30 minutes from Palermo International Airport
• 90 minutes from Verdura Resort
Key sites/activities in the area
• Palermo city centre
• Cattedrale di Monreale
• Mondello (beach)
• Boat trips
• Cefalù
• Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro (hiking and beach)
• Saline di Trapani
• Erice
• Segesta
Fun Facts
N/A
Children’s Corner
Rocco Forte Family package
• 50% off a similar interconnecting or adjacent room for two children
• Breakfast daily for the whole family
• Complimentary meals for children under 3
• A 50% discount on meals and beverages for 4-12 year olds
• Stay in a suite and enjoy the additional benefits of the Rocco Forte Suite Experience.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Classic Room 6
• Superior Room 21
• Deluxe Room with Sea View 22
• Deluxe Room with Sea View and terrace 4
• Junior Suite 2
• Junior Suite with terrace 6
• Junior Suite with Sea View 5
• Superior Suite 6
• Suite with Sea View 10
• Family Room 1
• Family Suite 5
• Suite with Sea View and terrace 6
• Tower Suite 3
• Igiea Suite 1
• George V Suite 1
• Donna Franca Suite1
Restaurants & Bars
• Restaurant with terrace
• Bar with terrace
• Pool restaurant & bar
Wellness
• Outdoor pool
• Treatment rooms
• Gym
• Beauty corner
Corporate & Celebration Events
• Sala Basile, meeting room for up to 120 delegates
• Library, for up to 40 delegates
• Banqueting Hall, for up to 250 delegates
• Conference Hall, for up to 350 delegates
Extra Notable Features
• Boat trips
• Culinary activities
• Sightseeing excursions
• Tennis court
Hotel and restaurant Awards
Condè Nast Traveler
Hot List
Travel + Leisure
It List – Best New Hotels in the World
Number of employees
TBC