Description
The Rocco Forte Collection's Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is an exclusive new resort located on the south coast of Sicily. The resort has a wonderful sense of space nestled within 230 hectares of gentle rolling Sicilian countryside with 1.8km of untouched private coastline.
The hotel has only 203 rooms and suites built into the landscape, all with private terraces or balconies and sea views. The interior design by Olga Polizzi mixes an understated modern style with traditional Sicilian touches.
The resort is perfect for couples, groups of friends or families offering plenty of top class facilities to enjoy. There are two 18-hole championship golf courses, six floodlit clay tennis courts, a full size football pitch, a 60m infinity pool and a fully equipped gym. Those wishing to unwind can do so in the Verdura Spa. Facilities include 4 outdoor Thalassotherapy pools, a selection of treatments and personalised well-being programmes.
There are 4 restaurants to choose from including La Zagra for a la carte Mediterranean cuisine, Amare, the beach restaurant offering fresh seafood and Liola, a typical Sicilian Trattoria with pizza oven located in a stunning cliff top position a short walk from the hotel.
The coastline runs the whole length of Verdura. A section of which has been dedicated as a beach with imported sand for guest use.
The combination of sporting facilities, luxury accommodation and impeccable service in this fantastically spacious resort running along the Sicilian coastline combined with the presence of a Scott Dunn Explorers children's club from 4 months - 13 years makes Verdura a truly unforgettable holiday experience for all.
Guide price
£1,810 per person
£1,810 per person for seven nights in June, based on a family of four sharing 2 connecting deluxe rooms with sea view on B&B basis including private transfers. Flights and childcare not included.
Accommodation
There are 203 rooms and suites many of which are interconnecting making them ideal for couples, families or small groups. All the interiors have personally been created by Olga Polizzi. The distinguishing feature about all the bedroom interiors is the pared-down and contemporary version of a traditional Sicilian motif drawn from an antique Sicilian maiolica tile in burnt reds and oranges. This enlarged and contemporary version of the motif is used to accentuate the otherwise neutral palette of the soft furnishings all custom made in Italy.
Roomy bathrooms in pale stone are accessorised with natural luxury bath products and accessed via walk-through wardrobes. All bathrooms have a bath and separate shower and lots of natural light.
Some rooms have courtyards planted with orange trees. All rooms have private terraces or balconies overlooking the sea.
| Deluxe and Superior deluxe rooms | The deluxe rooms and superior deluxe rooms are exactly the same. The only difference is that the deluxe rooms are situated on the upper level of the resort (one row back from the sea) and the superior deluxe rooms are all on the lower level of the resort closest to the beach (frontline) with additional privacy.
Guests booking these 2 room types are able to choose whether they would like to be on the ground floor or the first floor. Guests staying on the ground floor have the benefit of additional outdoor space however the area is not fenced. Guests staying on the first floor have lovely balconies with great sea views. Please note that there is no lift access to the first floor.
Both these room types are 40sqm. Interconnecting options of these room types are as follows:
Deluxe room with a Deluxe room
Deluxe room with a Junior suite
Superior deluxe room with a Grand suite
Superior deluxe room with an Amassador suite
Superior deluxe room with a Presidential suite |
| Junior and Classic Suites | These 2 room types are virtually identical. All the Junior Suites are situated in the upper row and the classic suites on the lower row. Both these room types have a large openplan bedroom and sitting area of approximately 59sqm.
Guests are able to request to be on the ground floor or first floor. Both options offer lovely seaviews.
The only difference between these 2 room types is the positioning and layout of the terrace/balcony. The Junior Suites are built lengthways with the balcony at the end of the sitting area whereas the classic suites have a width way design with the terrace off the bedroom area and the sitting area.
There are a total of 20 Junior suites and 4 classic suites.
Junior Suites have the option to interconnect with a deluxe double room. There are no interconnecting options on the Classic suites. |
| Grand Suite | The Grand suites are all situated on the lower row and have an inner courtyard and private terrace. The bedroom and sitting room can be separated by a sliding door. There is also a kitchenette in the sitting room consisting of a fridge, hob, sink and coffee machine. |
| Ambassador Suite | The Ambassador suites are larger versions of the Grand Suite with the addition of a dining area, kitchenette and a separate guest loo. They are 169sqm in size.
Ambassador Suites can interconnect with a superior double room. |
| Presidential Suite | This is one of the most impressive presidential suites that we have seen in the Mediterranean. This enormous 175sqm suite consists of a large bedroom, large separate sitting room with dining area (and ktichenette). Sliding doors from the living areas lead out onto a terrace with private 12m pool complete with sunloungers, outside dining area and jacuzzi.
In order to accommodation additional guests/family, the presidential suite can be connected to 1 or 2 superior deluxe rooms. All 3 rooms share an inner courtyard, which can be closed off and made exclusively available if one party books all 3 room types. |
Childcare
Surrounded by delicately scented orange orchards, the Scott Dunn Explorers children's club is in a converted wing of a former schoolhouse in a secluded area of the resort. The club has a dedicated sleep room, spacious indoor area and a fenced off garden. Children can perfect their serve and swing at the tailored tennis academy and golf clinic, or enjoy some lively team games on the nearby beautiful sandy beach. Our childcarers will arrange a game of beach cricket, sand sculpture competitions or rounders to keep them entertained all day.
Our qualified childcarers organise fun and exciting activities whatever your child’s age. The club is a dedicated children’s space designed to make sure your children have the holiday of a lifetime. With toys, games and creative activities crammed into the club as well as a grassy, shaded, outdoor space full of toys.
Older children will love exploring their surroundings by bike, whilst the younger ones will be transported around on the designated children's club golf buggy. In the heat of the day, kids can try their hand at baking tasty treats or medal making in the fully air-conditioned club.
Without doubt, Verdura is an excellent destination for all age groups and in particular older children. More information about our childcare services in Verdura can be found here.
| Scott Dunn children's club | The Scott Dunn children's club caters for children from 4 months to 13 years and is open 6 days a week from 10am - 6pm (closed Wednesdays). The children are divided into 4 age groups and will have a fantastic variety of age appropriate fun filled days with a huge variety of activities.
The weekly cost includes all on and off site activities, drinks, snacks, lunch and a high tea.
The age groups are as follows:
Globetrotters: 4 months - 2years:
Adventurers: 3- 4years:
Voyagers: 5-7 years:
Pioneers: 8-13 years:
For 2012, the Scott Dunn children's club is open from 01 June to the end of the October half term. |
| Globetrotters (4 months - 2 years) | We understand that when it comes to looking after our youngest guests good communication with parents is absolutely key. Our experienced nannies will take time to discuss your child's routine and go out of their way to follow it, to help keep your child happy and settled. We tailor the day's activities taking into account the weather and of course the fun factor. For lunch we can whip up delicious fresh purees and meals using local produced freshly prepared on a daily basis. When its nap time, they can settle down in the specially designed sleep room. |
| Adventurers (3-4 years) | This age group are kept busy with lots of fantastic activities. Children can get creative with fantastic art equipment, bake delicious cakes or take part in games in the garden organised by our amazing childcare team. |
| Voyagers (5-7 years) | Voyagers spend much of their time out and about making the most of the exciting activities and facilities the resort and childcare team have on offer. When they do have some chill out time an area full of toys and games welcomes them where they can catch up with their friends. |
| Pioneers (8-13 years) | There is a busy and energetic programme of activities organised by the Scott Dunn childcare team for this age group. Most of which will be spent out and about amongst the resort. |
| Scott Dunn babysitting | Scott Dunn nannies are available for babysitting in the evenings at an additional charge which is payable locally. Prior to arrival, Scott Dunn is able to guarantee a minimum of 2 nights babysitting (not Tuesday or Wednesday evenings). In the event that Scott Dunn is not able to offer babysitting, babysitting can be arranged through the hotel. |
| Teenagers Club | The hotel runs a club especially for Teenagers which is situated in the Torre. This base consists of a pool table, Nintendo wii for example. During the peak period, there is tailor made leisure programme of sports and activities with teenagers in mind. |
| Resort children's club | There is a children's club operated by the hotel which caters for children from 4 years and is open 7 days a week from 9am - 7pm. The club is complimentary and includes a programme of activities. No pre-booking required.
Younger children may join the club for a charge of 20 euros per hour. |
Facilities
There are a number of options for drinking and eating at Verdura. Please note that some of the options listed below are only open on a seasonal basis.
Buon Giorno is a casual restaurant serving an international buffet breakfast. In the evenings it is open exclusively for children from 5-7pm, offering delicious and healthy dishes.
La Zagara is an à la carte restaurant serving fine Mediterranean cuisine prepared with fresh local ingredients.
Amare is a beach restaurant serving fresh and simple cuisine including: salads, grilled fish, barbecues and pizza baked in a wooden oven.
Liolà is a Sicilian Trattoria serving home made pasta, fish and seafood. It is located by the 15th century watchtower and is very distinctive with its brightly coloured chairs and tables.
Granita Bar is a vibrant lounge with terrace overlooking the gardens and sea serving Mediterranean tapas and specially designed cocktails.
Pool Bar - serves light meals and drinks by the pool
Torre Bar - serves all day snacks and drinks
Spa Bar - serves nutritional, low calorie salads and energy drinks.
Gelateria serves home made icecream.
Activities
There are a number of fantastic activities at Verdura including two 18 hole championship golf courses, a nine hole course (all with impressive seaviews), six floodlit tennis courts, a full size football pitch, two side by side 60m infinity pools, a fully equipped gym and a selection of running tracks.
Those wishing to unwind can do so in the Verdura Spa. This is a fantastic Spa that was voted winners of the Best Hotel Spa (Europe, Asia Minor and The Russian Federation) in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Spa Awards 2012, and was also voted 6th Best Spa in the World. Facilities include four outdoor thalassotherapy pools, a wonderful selection of treatments and personalised well-being programmes.
| Golf | Kyle Phillips has created the three links-style golf courses at Verdura. There are two world class championship courses - The East and The West, which challenge golfers of all abilities (there are 5 tee positions on each hole) and a nine-hole par-3 will appeal to novices and juniors. There is also a practice and teaching facility. |
| Spa | The Verdura Spa is set back from the activity of the resort in a private spacious sanctuary. Treatments use local olive oils, extracts from lemons and oranges and miineral-rich seawater for thalassotherapy. Within this 4,000sqm space is a lap pool, hamman, fitness centre with yoga, beauty salon and outdoors a terrace for outdoor treatments and open-air thalassotherapy pool. |
| Biking | Push bikes for all age groups are available for guests to use all over the resort on a complimentary basis. As the resort is very spread out, there is no better way to get to places than by bike via the numerous biking and running trails (it is a 7km round trip around the resort). The kids especially love it! If you wish to receive a more 'professional bike' or wish to take the bikes outside the resort, there is an additional local charge. |
| Tennis | Six floodlit tennis courts and the tennis club house is located at the far end of the resort next to the football pitch. Guests will love biking to this activity alternatively a golf car will be available to take you. The tennis centre is run by Sunball who are able to organise tennis clinics for both adults and children as well as individual lessons with the pro's. |
| Watersports | The watersports centre offers a number of watersports activities from kite surfing, kayaking, stand up paddles, waterskiing and banana rides. Unfortunately they do not offer any sailing.
In addition, located next to the beach is a volleyball pitch. |
Services
Scott Dunn in resort services including a local Scott Dunn Guest Relations Manager and Scott Dunn Explorers children's club/babysitting service is available from June to October. At all times, the local Verdura concierge is available to assist you in anyway possible to ensure that you get the most out of your holiday.
| Scott Dunn Guest Relations Manager | There is a local Scott Dunn Guest Relations Manager based at Verdura. Our Manager is there to meet and greet Scott Dunn guests on arrival in resort and is available to assist with the smooth running and enjoyment of guests holiday. |
When to travel
Sicily enjoys a blissful Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm springs and autumns. Even February, the coolest month, has average temperatures of 13°C, which means that any time of year is suitable.
If you want to go sightseeing around the island’s legendary historic and natural sites, October–November and March–June are reliably warm, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 26°C. July and August are blessed with glorious sunshine, and average temperatures of around 28°C. Whatever the season, Verdura’s beach will never get crowded.
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Location and directions
Sicily, Italy
Located on the south coast of Sicily near the seaside town of Sciacca. Verdura is a 80 minutes drive from Palermo airport or a 3 hour drive from Catania.
How to get there
There are 3 airports in Sicily. The closest is Palermo which has regular flights from London Gatwick all year round operated by low cost airlines. British Airways flights run 2-3 times a week during the summer months into Catania from London Heathrow. The 3rd airport is Trapani approximately 90 minutes from Verdura. This is the smallest airport and mainly handles internal domestic flights as well as a number of flights with Ryanair from Stansted.
