Just a few kilometres from the coast near Siracusa, set amid a landscape of lemon and orange groves, lies an estate that gives little away at first glance. Stone walls, an elongated façade with arched openings, a modest chapel in the inner courtyard, olive trees and sweeping lawns: the Dolce by Wyndham Siracusa Monasteri is a four-star resort housed in a former Benedictine monastery dating from the 9th century. The building served as a Roman villa, later became a monastery, and eventually passed into private hands as a Sicilian masseria before being converted into a hotel. The result is a combination of historic fabric and modern amenities rarely found at more than a handful of addresses in Sicily.
The history of the monastery: from Roman villa to masseria
The oldest parts of the estate date back to the Roman imperial period, when a villa rustica operated here, supporting agriculture and the administration of a sizeable territory on the eastern coast of Sicily. In the 9th century, Benedictine monks took over the site and established the monastery itself, the monastery, which gives the estate its name to this day. As Siracusa News notes with regard to the historic fabric, the monks during this period combined farming with viticulture and olive cultivation, a pattern that continues to this day in the surrounding countryside. Monastic life continued for several centuries, interrupted by the historical shifts of the Sicilian feudal system.
Following secularisation in the 19th century, the estate passed into private ownership and was run as a Sicilian masseria , that is, an agricultural holding with an administrative building, stables and storerooms. During this period, citrus cultivation shaped the layout of the parkland still visible today. The return to use as a publicly accessible estate took place in several stages from the 2000s onwards, with restoration of the original building fabric and the addition of new structures to house rooms, a spa and ancillary spaces. The restoration has been carried out in such a way that the fundamental structure of the monastery, in particular the arrangement of the courtyards and the thick stone walls, remains legible.
The hotel lobby occupies the historic heart of the former monastery, with lofty natural-stone vaulted arches and whitewashed ceiling beams. The ceramic vases are a nod to the Sicilian craft tradition from which the restaurant Le Ceramiche takes its name.
Rooms, suites and spaces: what the resort offers today
The resort currently comprises 102 units, including 83 rooms, 14 junior suites and five king suites. The rooms are distributed across several former monastic wings and a newly built section, with views over the park, the inner courtyard or the lemon groves. The furnishings follow a classic four-star standard, featuring light materials, exposed natural stone elements in the bathroom areas and bespoke furniture in keeping with the historic setting.
The spa bears the name of the historic estate and is one of the resort's central features. The indoor and outdoor pools, a Turkish bath, sauna, whirlpool and treatment rooms are housed in a wing that echoes the material palette of the main building. Alongside classic spa treatments, the house offers guided treatments using local ingredients such as olive oil, citrus essences and sea salt. For those seeking exercise, there is a fitness studio and walking routes through the surrounding park, which extends across more than 90 hectares and is criss-crossed with old stone walls, small viewpoints and a network of paths.
Restaurant Le Ceramiche: Sicilian cuisine with international references
The hotel's restaurant bears the name Le Ceramiche and is situated in the historic heart of the estate, in a hall with high vaulted ceilings and stone walls. Head chef is the Sicilian cook Mirko Previtera, who trained in several internationally acclaimed kitchens, including The Fat Duck by Heston Blumenthal in Bray, United Kingdom. For Le Ceramiche, Previtera has developed a menu that combines classic Sicilian ingredients such as bottarga, ricotta salata and lemons from the estate's own grounds with more contemporary techniques.
Le Ceramiche is also accessible as a standalone restaurant independent of the hotel, and a reservation is recommended for guests arriving from outside. Further areas are available for breakfast, light meals and aperitivo, including a terrace overlooking the park and the golf course. The hotel bar also serves the classic Sicilian aperitivo served with Spritz and local wines for guests spending the evening on the property. The kitchen places emphasis on ingredients sourced from the area around Siracusa, which is also reflected in the wine list, representing several estates from the Val di Noto and the Etna region.
The U-shaped new wing of the hotel, with its pool and courtyard, borders the old citrus groves and the 18-hole golf course. On the horizon, the interior of the Province of Syracuse comes into view.
The golf course: 18 holes, currently under renovation
The resort includes an 18-hole golf course with PAR 71, extending across the 90 hectares of the estate, partly through lemon and orange groves, partly along ancient stone walls. The course is considered one of the most scenically attractive golf courses in Sicily, with views over the interior and, on clear days, as far as the sea. At present, however, the course is not in operation: according to information provided by the operator on the official hotel website Golf Club I Monasteri will remain closed until November 2026 due to renovation works. Those planning a golf trip to Sicily who wish to include this course are advised to schedule their stay for after November 2026, or to consider other golf facilities in the region.
For guests arriving at present with no golfing intentions, the renovation is a minor factor without serious consequences. The views across the course and the citrus groves remain intact, the walking routes and a number of the paths are accessible, and the park with its ancient stone walls and trees is one of the most tranquil retreats in the area around Siracusa. Those who regard the golf course as the primary reason for booking will, after the completion of renovations in November 2026, once again find a fully operational facility. The precise details of the reopening will, according to the property, be communicated in good time.
Gruppo Bulgarella, Wyndham and the Italian expansion
The owner of the property is the Sicilian Gruppo Bulgarella, one of the most active hotel development groups in southern Italy. Operations have been carried out since June 2025 in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts under the Dolce brand, the upscale segment of the Wyndham portfolio. It is the second Dolce property in Italy and forms part of a framework agreement between Wyndham and All In Italia Hotels & Resorts, which provides for the opening of 20 properties in Italy over the coming ten years. The structure is typical of the current phase of Italian hospitality: historic properties in family or regional-group ownership are combined with international brand franchises in order to gain distribution reach and capital without sacrificing local identity.
For guests, this has several practical implications. The property is accessible via the Wyndham booking system and the Wyndham Rewardsprogramme, with the corresponding options for earning and redeeming points. At the same time, Gruppo Bulgarella has given the culinary direction, architectural language and staff management a distinctly local character, which is evident in the cuisine, the tone of service and the selection of local suppliers. The combination of an international brand and local management makes this one of the most interesting addresses in the current Sicilian hotel market, comparable to other properties in the Italian boutique hotel landscape such as Borgo Monchiero in Piedmont.
A room at the Dolce by Wyndham Siracusa Monasteri, featuring the characteristic white ceiling beams and a light palette of materials. The property offers a total of 102 rooms, including 14 junior suites and five king suites. On the desk, a Sicilian Testa di Moro serves as a traditional ceramic accent.
Surroundings: Siracusa, Ortigia and the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto
The location of the resort is one of its principal assets. Siracusa lies just a few kilometres away and, together with its historic centre of Ortigia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island old town, with its cathedral, Piazza Duomo and harbour, is one of the most rewarding historic centres in southern Italy and is reachable in under 20 minutes by car or taxi. In addition to Siracusa, several of the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto are within day-trip distance, including Noto, Modica and Ragusa Ibla, with their dense sandstone centres and the distinctive Baroque architecture that emerged following the earthquake of 1693. The entire region is among the Sicilian destinations described in detail in our article on slow travel between culture and nature .
For nature-oriented travellers, the Pantalica caves and the Vendicari nature reserve are reachable within less than an hour's drive. The coast at Fontane Bianche and the bay of Marzamemi offer bathing options in a classic Sicilian setting. Those wishing to see Etna can drive to Catania in around 90 minutes and continue up into the higher elevations of the volcano. This makes the resort work equally well as a place for a quiet retreat in the park and spa, and as a base for a structured journey through the south-eastern corner of Sicily. The combination of historic grounds, a peaceful setting and proximity to one of Italy's most culturally rich regions makes the Dolce by Wyndham Siracusa Monasteri an address that suits several different travel concepts at once.
