As we begin a new year, our thoughts naturally turn towards wellness and looking after ourselves, and treating oneself to a wellness spa break will on most people’s bucket lists. One of the top resorts to consider is the newly opened, ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA, where sustainability, al fresco living, nature, fantastic ingredients and top-notch spa facilities are at its core.
The ADLER brand has been independently owned for seven generations and is synonymous with spa retreats, and a this is an exciting new development as their resorts have been exclusively based in the Alps, until this latest offering.
Hotel
Located about one hour and 40 minutes away from Palermo airport, the lengthy transfer is very much positive in terms of discovering a serene, more agricultural part of Sicily. The hotel is all about sustainable travel and blending in with nature. The 90 commodious guest rooms, with private terraces overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, are inconspicuously blended into the lush rolling hills.
Sustainability is at the heart of the hotel’s philosophy. The cedar wood used is from the local area and offers a calming, cooling shade amid the Sicilian sun. They use natural unbaked Sicilian clay as wall cladding for humidity control. Even if you were no feng shui expert, you would appreciate everything that has been designed to promote harmony and tranquillity.
The owners picked the location for the al fresco lifestyle their hotel guests can savour. It is situated alongside one of the most distinctive nature reserves in Italy, the Torre Salsa. It is minutes away by foot to a secluded beach where you can enjoy all kinds of aquatic activities like paddle boarding and snorkelling. This haven of biodiversity means you can spot countless birds like peregrine falcons and horned owls and also rare species like Caretta turtles.
Room
The junior suites are extremely spacious at 55m² and you’ll notice plenty of natural daylight flowing into your room with their floor-to-ceiling windows which open onto their well-manicured gardens. The natural vibes are accentuated with the use of rustic terracruda and stylish natural timber.
Modern comforts are not sacrificed with digital TV, faultless Wi-Fi wherever you are on the property, air-conditioning and a rainfall shower along with a tea and coffee-making set. The other type of suite is the family suite that can accommodate three to four people at 75m². Some rooms have been designed for guests with reduced mobility and offer barrier-free comfort.
Food and drink
ADLER Spa Resort are firm believers in the sea-to-table, garden-to-glass concept, so it is highly unlikely you’ll find anything not local or seasonal served up. You can meet their cheese supplier at the buffet station, who will passionately describe her goats’ cheese-making process and might invite you to her farm nearby.
Most guests will be on half board and you will be served the finest of Sicilian dishes from red Sicilian prawns to salt-crusted sea bass. A quick word with their personable head chef will tell you he has no limits on the budget for their buffet. Whereas Sicilian red prawns might be a delicacy in Michelin-starred restaurants elsewhere, you’ll find top-notch crustaceans on offer in abundance at the buffet station.
Cocktails also focus on local brands, so their Mediterraneo contains gin Etna, which has strong notes of Sicilian citrus fruits alongside Marsala, which is a famous fortified wine from the eponymous city.
Spa
The jewel in their crown is their spa. With over 3,200 m² of pools, saunas, treatment rooms and relaxation spaces, they are one of the premier spa resorts in Europe. They are so renowned for their spa treatments, they have a line of light and gentle care products that do not use any preservatives or chemical dyes. You’ll find their own branded shampoo and shower gels along with the massage oil used during your treatment. Their treatments are geared towards what’s grown locally so their ADLER essences of Sicily massage involve using organic Sicilian massage oil that are either Sicilian almond, prickly pear or citrus fruits.
They also have three separate Swedish saunas with varying temperatures and ensure, you’ll never feel crowded anywhere on the resort. To promote the holistic nature of the resort, there are three stunning pools that are nestled within the landscape of the resort. A majestic freshwater infinity floats into the mesmerising horizon. Whilst the saltwater hydro massage pool soothes away any tension in your muscles. And finally, the relaxing Thalasso pool is the best way to enjoy the Sicilian sunset.
To do
There are plenty of activities on offer daily which are either complimentary or require a small fee. E-bikes are available for guests to travel around the local area with a minimal carbon footprint. Their cultural and wine tours are the activities to look out for. You can visit the historic town centre of Siculiana. There you can visit their famous #MeTe, ethnohistorical museum and Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix, which is the focus of a recent Wim Wenders documentary. Further away, you can visit, The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento. It has the best preserved ancient Greek Temple outside of Athens.
If you are looking for something slightly more idyllic, you can go on a wine-tasting experience nearby, Baglio Caruana. Their organic wines are served in modern, refined surroundings and they can arrange for your wines to be sent abroad to your homes.
In a nutshell
For a rejuvenating wellness experience and to catch some Sicilian sun, the place to consider is ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA. You will be served relaxation, culture and gastronomy in abundant doses.
Factbox
ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA offers rooms from €264 per night.
Address: Contrada Salsa, 92010 Siculiana AG, Italy
Phone: +39 0922 145 7000
Website: adler-resorts.com
