A cliffside positioning and sea views create a sense of seclusion here - visitors are unlikely to want to leave that private Capofaro bubble. The rest of the property wades in the shadow of the northernmost lighthouse in Sicily - nab one of six rooms located in the converted (and still working) lighthouse. Soft whites, sea-foraged amphorae and crisp white linen act as a minimalist foil for the extravagant intensity of the Aeolian landscape.

Elegant and eco-friendly sums up Monaci delle Terre Nere nicely. Positioned on a 60-acre farm, the hotel sports a dusky pink exterior and, inside, the decor is just as distinctive - think: black walls and reclaimed-wood furnishings. Our favourite thing about this Sicilian bolthole? The old wine press. Clear some space in your luggage for a bottle of U'ranaci wine, a bold blend of grenache grapes and Nerello Mascalese, produced onsite.

For a room with a serious view, opt for the top-floor Superior Rooms at Principe di Salina - which guarantees ocean vistas. From a height, you'll be able to spot all the hotel's greatest attributes - the infinity pool being our first port of call (before catching some sleep in our whitewashed boudoir that is). Feast on family-style Sicilian dinners at the Ristorante Della Casa, though don't let the bountiful bouquets of flowers and hand-painted earthenware distract you from the task at hand - that being eating your weight in fresh seafood and moreish vegetable-based dishes.

Once home to a prince, this old palace in historic Noto is now a luxe bed and breakfast (eggs royale, anyone?). To really vamp up the regalness, book out the Austro suite - all gilded, ornate tiles and frescoed ceilings - which has a stately air to it. Speaking of air, each of the seven rooms is named after a wind. Wherever you bed down, this honey-hued baroque beauty is guaranteed to beguile.

Comprised of 11 rooms (each named after a piece of art, film, literature or music by a Sicilian artist), this restored 19th-century masseria is a haven for creatives and romantic types alike. Situated among lush, hilly countryside Dimora delle Balze stylishly mixes old and new - its handmade cementine tiles and super-comfy Simmons beds sweeten the deal.

On the tiny Italian island of Pantelleria, in the Strait of Sicily, is the elegant, white-washed Sikelia. Those in search of a first-class escape should take note. Paradise found, you'll be smitten by the retreat's traditional dammuso-style structures, capped with domed roofs. Inside, it's a more contemporary vibe, with a first-rate spa to boot.