it
SELECTION

Braccialieri

Between the Hills & Sea of the Val di Noto

book

Open March 25th through the end of 2025

Minimum stay2 nights

Price starts at€350 in low season, €420 in high season

Special attributesPrivate eco villas, design-forward pool, on-site 0km dining experiences, access to a private beach club

In the shade of centuries-old olive trees, Braccialieri is a quiet pause in the rhythms of everyday life. Set in the heart of the Val di Noto—Sicily’s stunning valley of eight Baroque towns—this place feels like an extension of the land itself. “We wanted to offer true Sicilian hospitality, slow travel, and, above all, the luxury of simplicity,” the Cancemi family shares. What brothers Peppe and Tonio and their wives Valentine and Chiara have proved, and what you’ll learn from a stay here, is that the luxury of slowing down is more actually valuable and restorative than 5-star service and dining could be. 

 

Though Braccialieri has only been open for two years, their three suites—one with a private pool—and six eco villas feel like they’ve been around as long as the olive grove they’re tucked within. Each one offers large, private spaces, with terraces that overlook the Avola hills (where the beloved Nero D’Avola comes from) and the shimmering sea beyond. Painted in hues of green, red, and yellow, the eco villas are each slightly different—some with outdoor showers, wood-heated tubs, or two floors—but all allow you to stretch out comfortably both inside and outside or prep snacks in the stylish kitchens. 

 

Tradition runs deep, but so does a sense of playfulness; the three suites have pop-arty wallpaper of fruits or flowers and colorful, mismatched tile floors. Throughout the property, you’ll find handpicked design elements from names like Cassina and Tom Dixon set against rough wood and stone backdrops, making each space feel special without being overdone. Bold touches from fashion designer Alessandro Enriquez bring even more bursts of color and creativity—especially his red-and-white checkerboard pool that evokes kitchen floors past. Together with the bold geranium-printed umbrellas and lounge chairs, the pool area is as visually eclectic as it is physically relaxing. 

 

Meals here are about the joy of simple, seasonal ingredients—which is to say, they are entirely Sicilian. Housed in a 19th-century millstone, the unfussy restaurant offers a menu that celebrates the region’s agricultural bounty. Breakfast is not your normal buffet of thin crostate and sad apples. The indulgent spread of homemade pastries and local produce and products is only rivaled by the setting, which is inside the ancient “palmetto”: a historic vinification room dating back to the 1800s. To grab a coffee, cocktail, or snack, stop at their more casual Caffè di Sicilia, a chic outdoor bar surrounded by bougainvillea with expansive valley views. 

 

When you’re ready to explore, Braccialieri’s location is ideal. The Baroque beauty of Noto—the same town that was obsessed over after its feature in Season 2 of The White Lotus—is just a 15-minute drive away, and the ancient ruins of Syracuse and the quaint coastal town of Marzamemi aren’t much farther. The owners are Sicilians themselves, meaning they’re equipped with a treasure trove of off-the-beaten-path recommendations that ensure you leave the hotel property much more than the aforementioned White Lotus guests do. 

 

It’s an easy choice to stay at Braccialieri; what’s harder is picking which of the beautifully distinctive eco villas or vibrant suites to stay in. 

 

A few more segreti (secrets) from the Cancemi family:

 

Coco Beach Club – Just 8 km from Braccialieri, Coco Beach Club offers an intimate escape in a stunning cove. With only 40 seats, it provides exclusive service, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxing atmosphere. 

 

Caffè Sicilia – Caffè Sicilia – A Noto landmark where Corrado Assenza crafts Sicilian classics with a twist, from almond granita to ricotta-filled cannoli, all made with the island’s finest ingredients.

 

Ristorante Dammuso – In the center of Noto, this female-owned restaurant serves up the best coastal flavors of Sicily, with local ingredients, warm hospitality, and an island-focused wine list. 

 

Ristorante Crocifisso – Over the past 40 years, Chef Marco Baglieri has transformed a fantastic family trattoria into a fine-dining, Michelin-starred restaurant, one that’s still defined by seasonal, Sicilian cooking. Choose between three 6-course tasting menus (meat, vegetarian, or seafood) or opt for a la carte dining so you can mix and match.

 

Tenuta Palmeri – You can sip bold, organic wines from southeastern Sicily at this family-run winery, just 100 m from Braccialieri. 

Braccialieri

Coco Beach Club

Caffè Sicilia

Ristorante Dammuso

Ristorante Crocifisso

Tenuta Palmeri