Caol Ishka

Siracusa, Sicily

Unashamedly designer rooms spread among contemporary riverside barns, with a pool, lawns and heaps of charm, 1.5km from Ortigia

It's an alluring name - no less so when you learn that it's Gaelic for 'the sound of water' - but how did Siracusa's coolest new hotel earn it? The answer lies in its owners: locally-born Emanuela met her Irish partner Gareth while studying business in London, and together they decided to bring the design-hotel concept to a riverside meadow in this delightful corner of south-eastern Sicily.

Battling with local bureaucracy, they spent 4 years restoring the family's old stone barns, fitting them with top-label furniture, exuberant bathrooms, grass-and-gravel suntraps and a raised infinity pool. Outsides were painted pale lilac, insides cool white or Corbusier-grey. Wicker-cube chairs sit on teak decks laid by Gareth; inside, for a bit of fun, ultra-modern lamps and chrome-sleek bathrooms are set off with lavish chandeliers and gilt mirrors. A new chef at the nouveau-Sicilian restaurant has added the final touch. If you relish modern design, faultless service and a sound night's sleep, there's no better base for exploring Siracusa and its rich hinterland.

Guest Ratings

Room:
87%
Food:
80%
Service:
80%
Value:
83%
Overall:
83%

Caol Ishka: View all reviews

signature

Reviewed by Michael Cullen
Last updated 03 November 2011

Highs

  • Every fitting, from the touch-stem angel light to the boat-sized bathtub and red-velvet chaise longue, is a designophile's delight
  • Being a mile outside town, and surrounded by grassy meadows, there's total silence at night
  • The owners and staff speak excellent English and can advise on the best beaches, hikes, sights and restaurants
  • The delicious food is locally sourced and beautifully presented
  • Easy road access and parking makes it a good base for car touring

Lows

  • There's nothing within walking distance so you'll need a car (if you can brave the Italian drivers!)
  • You may find the grey, cement-effect walls in some rooms a little overbearing
  • Picky guests could point to a couple of cases of fashion over function (escaping shower spray, morning sunlight through the door), but it's nothing major
  • The river location attracts mozzies

Caol Ishka is the most stylish addition to the Syracuse area, with a secluded pool and an up-and-coming restaurant...        

Conde Nast TravelerCaol Ishka:  Read more press reviews

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