book

Reopens April 14th, 2025

Their philosophy is “living according to nature”–and within the 500-hectare estate of Susafa, secluded in the agricultural heart of Sicily with wheat fields stretching for kilometers in every direction, you learn how to do exactly that. 

In the foothills of the Madonie Mountains, Susafa, run by brother-and-sister-duo Manfredi and Sara, is testament to the Saeli-Rizzuto family’s dedication to preserving this property’s 200 years of history. Part of the fifth generation to run the estate, Manfredi transformed the 19th-century farmhouse into a luxurious eco-retreat in 2008, seamlessly blending sustainability with top-tier hospitality. 

The 17 rooms and suites, converted from former cattle stalls or annexes originally designated for farm laborers, vary in size and view; the more spacious suites have their own terraces, while the Classic Doubles feature French doors that open directly onto swathes of countryside. They all, however, are characterized by original stone walls and terracotta floors, wood and wrought iron furnishings, and fabrics and decor in sleek, chic earth tones. As part of Susafa’s push for a digital detox, there are no TVs in the rooms. 

Susafa’s greatest charm, though, may lie in its away-from-it-all tranquility. Here, you’re completely immersed in country life, with wheat fields as far as the eye can see rolling through the hills into the distance, reaching even a thousand meters in altitude. (The hotel takes pride in retracing its agricultural history and makes its own bread from the cultivated wheat.) The lack of urbanization–thus, no light or sound pollution–around Susafa ensures an experience as relaxing as can be. There’s nothing more utterly peaceful than a sunset aperitivo at the pool–theirs overlooks the hills and has its own shaded bar–with no sounds but the wind rustling the wheat and a few sheep bleating in the distance. And, once the sun does make its descent, the vast sky means that the stars here are truly exquisite. 

At Susafa, self sufficiency and circularity are key. Along with 60,000+ kWh of green energy produced a year, Susafa places particular emphasis on waste sorting and recycling, plastic-free solutions, eco-sustainable materials, and reforestation. During room renovations, Manfredi and Sara used the natural plasters made from old lime tonics, ensuring an ecological disposal process. Within the garden, 50+ varieties of plants grow–including prime Sicilian ingredients like tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, and peppers–among the wheat and olive crops, while the orchards bear the likes of cherries, carob, and pink peppercorn. Any raw materials that aren’t produced by the farm come from local, short-supply chain sources. 

Unsurprisingly, the on-site restaurant is delectable. In a large stone granary, marked by vaulted brick arches and a cozy fireplace (lit on the chillier evenings), the restaurant uses local Sicilian traditions as a jumping off point for a creative menu that features the bounty of the land–finished off with copious amounts of the estate’s bright, spicy olive oil, of course. 

The expansive grounds of the farm and hotel offer everything needed for a harmonious and rejuvenating retreat–with plenty of activities for those who wish. The adept team at Susafa is proficient in fulfilling an array of desires, ranging from guided trekking excursions to observe local flora and fauna, garden tours to harvest wild herbs, and bucolic picnics. For those seeking physical and spiritual well-being, Susafa provides excellent massages. Manfredi and Sara have also recently designed a new roster of experiences in the 2024 season for guests to reconnect with the rhythmic pace of nature in this slice of Sicily (among them, picnicking in the treehouse–as dreamy as it gets) and launched the initiative Susafa Cucina. Beginning with the grains cultivated on their premises, Manfredi and Sara offer hands-on lessons in their transformation into bread, focaccia, schiacciata, and pasta, as well as Sicilian sweets like biscotti, cannoli, and cassata. It’s a fantastic opportunity to rediscover the fading tradition of Sicilian cuisine—a space where cooking, camaraderie, and conversation intersect. They’ll pass down their culinary secrets in the gorgeous kitchen and, rest assured, you’ll be accompanied by a glass of wine in one hand and a cherished Italian cookbook in the other.

Though we’d like to bet that you’ll be hesitant to leave property premises, day trip options from Susafa are plentiful: the charming coastal town of Cefalù is just a 50-minute drive away, and you can reach the capital of Palermo or the Greek temples of Agrigrento in an hour and a half. Susafa’s location means that you’re easily able to see so many different sides of Italy’s largest region, while still being blissfully removed from the crowds and chaos typical of these destinations. 

A few segreti (secrets) from the Saeli-Rizzuto family:

Parco della Madonie – Stretching from the northern Sicilian coast to some of the island’s tallest peaks lies the Madonie Park, an impressive geographic range supporting the greatest biodiversity in all of Sicily and even, some say, the entire Mediterranean. 

Cefalù – About a 40-minute drive from Susafa is the coastal hotspot of Cefalù, where the hotel’s team can organize lunch on Susafa’s boat. (You may also recognize the beach from the hit series White Lotus!)

Trattoria da Salvatore – In Petralia Soprana, this classic Sicilian trattoria has a selection of unmissable antipasti featuring the bounteous cheeses, meats, and fruits of the surrounding countryside.