Andy Devaney
Picciolo Etna Golf Resort has never been shy about its charms: a golf course that crawls up the side of Europe’s most famous volcano, wines that make Bordeaux look over its shoulder, and now, a spa that has been given the kind of facelift most Hollywood actors would mortgage their châteaux for.
The big reveal is the Vinaria Suite. If you’ve ever thought “I’d like to bathe in the by-product of fine Sicilian grapes while soaking in a jacuzzi,” then congratulations—your oddly specific dream just came true. Aromatic grape must is the star here, slathered on in treatments, scrubs, and bath salts. It’s vinotherapy, Italian-style, and frankly, it beats a mud wrap in Milton Keynes.
And that’s just the start. The renovation has delivered a wellness circuit with a reaction pool, a rustic cascade shower with the kind of wooden bucket you’d expect to see in a Fellini film, plus a Technogym setup that looks like it was smuggled out of NASA.
There’s also a “silent area,” perfect if you’d like to sip herbal tea and pretend you’re immune to the siren call of your phone. Couples get their own private suites too, complete with Turkish baths and wine tastings, because in Sicily even relaxation requires a glass in hand.
“Following our reopening in May, we are thrilled to be welcoming guests into an exciting autumn season and beyond into the winter,” said Mario Paoluzi and brothers Andrea and Francesco Scrofani, owners of Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & SPA. “With our enhanced spa facilities, harvest-time gastronomy, and cultural experiences, Picciolo is proud to offer travellers a restorative Sicilian escape in partnership with Curio Collection by Hilton.”
Golf, Gastronomy, and Godfathers
Of course, this is Sicily. Outside the spa, Picciolo Etna Golf Resort sits in the heart of the Etna DOC wine region, where Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grapes grow on volcanic soil that practically hums with history. The resort will happily send you to hand-picked local vineyards, but honestly, the panoramic pool with views of Mount Etna might be harder to leave than your hotel slippers.
The golf course? It’s the oldest on the island, weaving up and down the mountain like a well-poured glass of Etna Rosso. It’s quirky, thrilling, and occasionally infuriating—much like Sicily itself.
In autumn, the countryside becomes a painter’s palette of amber and gold. If you’re not the sort to hike through meadows or forests, the nearby Bronte Pistachio Festival will keep you busy (and fat).
Then there’s the food. At Il Palmento, classics like Pasta alla Norma and Caponata are plated with just enough flair to remind you that you’re in Sicily, not Soho. La Ghiandaia gives the same traditions a modern twist, pairing them with Etna’s award-winning wines, from bold reds to sparkling Spumante. Add in mushrooms, pistachios, and vegetables grown practically under your feet, and the farm-to-table philosophy stops being a slogan and becomes dinner.
Sicily Beyond the Spa
If you can tear yourself away from the resort, Sicily itself puts on a show. Explore towns layered in Greek and Moorish history, or play spot-the-scene at The Godfather filming locations. For the HBO crowd, yes—White Lotus fans will also feel right at home.
And for those who collect points like they collect passport stamps, the resort is part of Hilton Honors®, meaning you can book your Sicilian indulgence while smugly racking up loyalty perks.
Rates start from €200 a night for two, breakfast included. In today’s world, that’s practically a bargain for front-row seats to Mount Etna and a spa that feels like it’s been touched by Bacchus himself.
For more information, visit Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton
