Grand Hotel Des Étrangers

Character and identity

Set on the waterfront in Sicily's Syracuse, this art nouveau property leans into its early-twentieth-century bones: ornate facades, period detailing, and interiors that feel more grand townhouse than contemporary resort. The sea is the constant backdrop, framed most memorably from the rooftop bar and the formal restaurant, both of which trade on Ionian views. A spa rounds out the wellness side. Service runs in the polished European register you'd expect from a hotel of this vintage and address, with a quiet, slightly old-world feel rather than the buzzy energy of newer Sicilian openings.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The pull here is setting and atmosphere: an art nouveau landmark with genuine Syracuse waterfront views, a rooftop made for aperitivo hour, and a spa to anchor downtime between city wanderings. Book it if you want a cultured, architecturally distinctive base for Ortigia and the southeast coast, and prioritise a sea-facing room and a rooftop sunset on your first evening.