verdura

Sicily's Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is just south of the provincial fishing town Sciacca.

This month, The Rocco Forte Collection will open its 13th property, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, which is located in southwest Sicily, between the fishing port of Sciacca and the town of Agrigento, and commands a total of 568 acres that overlook the Mediterranean Sea.

Striking sea vistas complement the resort’s varied buildings, such as the 43,000-square-foot Verdura Spa, which offers 11 treatment rooms, each with a private terrace. It also boasts a fitness and yoga center, a double-height hammam, beauty salon and health bar.

The spa itself makes use of the outdoor element: A series of pavilions are set around an open courtyard. Why will your clients love this spa? We hear many of the treatments use Mediterranean seawater and extracts from locally grown lemons and oranges. The property will also feature a lap pool and four hydrotherapy pools that are positioned within the surrounding spa gardens.

Note: Verdura is so new that it has yet to tap a spa director; until then, luxury travel advisors should contact the hotel directly at 011-44-207-766-3141.

Of the 203 rooms and suites at the resort, none is better than the 1,883-square-foot Presidential Suite, which, like an Italian villa, is surrounded by unfettered sea views and accessible via three private terraces. There’s also a private swimming pool and private courtyard. Hint: This is the accommodation for ladies, or groups, toting plenty of clothing and ensembles; it features a walk-through wardrobe. Private butler service is also available.

Verdura’s rooms are divided amongst two separate buildings: Courtyard and Landscape. The former is close to central reception and the dining area. Note: Book Landscape accommodations for clients with a yen for privacy and a heightened feeling of isolation. They are slightly below the Courtyard buildings, closer to the sea for exceptional views. Playful Touch: Each is landscaped with grass roofs. 

The resort, which also has its own private beach, advises that reservations be made, at least at the outset of the opening, by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 011-44-207-766-3141. However, luxury travel advisors who want the inside scoop on Verdura can contact General Manager Franco Pecorelli ([email protected]; 011-39-345-510-6667).  

Verdura is the first Rocco Forte resort with golf—one of Rocco Forte’s passions and hobbies—at its core. This will no doubt become a destination for golfers seeking a one-of-a-kind golfing experience. Designed by hot new architect Kyle Phillips, the resort features two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course. Because of Sicily’s year-round warm climate, there is no bad time for a round here. Luxury travel advisors can contact Verdura’s Director of Golf Niall Cameron (011-39-345-510-6667) for information and tee times.

R_bedroom_REV

La Reserve Ramatuelle rooms have a spartan elegance with south-facing terraces or private gardens.

We hear the resort is currently in the midst of putting together formal VIP programs, which could include such activities as a helicopter ride over the Valley of the Temples, before passing back over Eraclea Minoa, Capo Bianco, Toree Salasa and La Scala Dei Turchi (Verdura has its own helicopter-landing facility). Private beach dinners will be available upon the resort’s opening; guests can also enjoy a cliff-top authentic Sicilian dinner at La Trattoria, one of four restaurants at Verdura.

Fly clients into Palermo Airport about an hour away from the resort; private jets can touch down at Trapani Airport, about 90 minutes away. Note: High season at the resort is July through September; luxury travel advisors should book well in advance during this period.

On June 1, St. Tropez welcomes its newest luxury resort spa, the seven-room, 12-villa, 16-suite La Réserve Ramatuelle.

The spa, unlike most, will be under the direction of an actual doctor who specializes in longevity treatments. His team of specialists and therapists has developed a strategy, we hear, that is injection-free and non-invasive. In fact, the spa is offering six-day programs aimed at combating the effects of time and built around stress reduction, fitness, slimming and beauty.

landscapesuite

Verdura's Landscape Suite, like all the rooms, was custom designed by Olga Polizzi, Rocco Forte's sister.

Prior to the program, the spa doctor will determine a protocol of treatments that is individually tailored to fit each guest. Treatments at La Réserve run the gamut: hydrotherapy, wraps, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, anti-cellulite massage, exfoliation and energy-building.

Insider Info: A typical spa day might entail four treatments. At the end of six days, spa goers should see tangible physical improvement and be able to implement techniques they learn at the spa into their everyday lives. Luxury travel advisors can contact Spa Manager Isabelle Sinceretti ([email protected]; 011-33-49-444-9444)

Throughout La Réserve, you’ll find elevated views of the Mediterranean and surrounding green landscape. For groups, opt for the four-, five- or six-bedroom villas. Villa No. 10 totals six bedrooms spread across more than 5,800 square feet. It’s surrounded by a garden, private patio and pool, boasts six bathrooms and has a fully equipped kitchen where meals can be prepared by the hotel. An east-facing view offers glimmering views of the sea.

In the hotel, our insider says the Camarat, Taillat or Escalet corner suites command the best views and offer up to 2,000 square feet of private terrace space.

Luxury travel advisors can contact Director of Sales Alexia Beugnon ([email protected]; 011-41-22-317-1614).

Fly clients into Nice International Airport where chauffered limousines will greet guests and transport them to La Réserve Ramatuelle, about an hour-and-a-half away.