Just Sicily

Monaci delle Terre Nere

Monaci delle Terre Nere
5 out of 5 based on 6 user ratings
Vine Rating: Vine Rating
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Monaci delle Terre Nere is a 62 acre estate with an amazing rustic-chic country house hotel dating back to 1800, situated between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna in the east of Sicily. It has breath taking views of the mountain and coast, an organic restaurant and pool surrounded by olive groves, citrus trees and vineyards.  

  • Number of Rooms:
    27
  • Nearest Airport:
    Catania 38km
  • Nearest Town:
    Zafferana Etnea 7km
  • Nearest Beach:
    Playa 9km
  • Available Board Basis:
    BB
  • WiFi:
    Yes, Free of Charge
  • Swimming Pool:
    1, Freshwater, Unheated, Apr-Nov
  • Pool/Beach Towels:
    Yes, Free of Charge
  • Air Con:
    Yes
  • Parking:
    Yes
  • Rep Service:
    Telephone

AT A GLANCE

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Huw's View

This very individual style hotel has passionate owners who recreated the original 19th century farm buildings into a small hotel filled with objets d’art from their travels all over the world. It is a true boutique hideaway on the slopes of Mount Etna, 9km from the coast.

Everything is focused on nature and respect for the environment with 50% of their energy being supplied from the sun and wood and the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner using only locally grown seasonal produce, including the wine!

Monaci is an Eco-bio certified estate: They do not use monodose products and all detergents are homemade and do not contain additives or chemicals.

Set in 60 acres of olive groves, citrus trees and vineyards, it is an ideal place to unwind in peace and tranquillity with amazing views of Etna and the sea, yet with unique contemporary rustic-chic accommodation. Excursions can be organised but car hire is essential for exploring the local area.
The owner Guido and his staff’s enthusiasm and passion for their land, organic produce and ethos makes for a very memorable stay. Make sure you go on a tour around the estate to understand Monaci's identity and philosophy. It was listed in 2013 Conde Nast Traveller’s best 150 new hotels in the world!

Who is Huw? >

Accommodation

Arranged over the 25 hectares of the estate,there are just 27 individually furnished and decorated guest rooms and suites, each individually designed with  unique style, features and facilities, situated in either the original villa or in separate 'Dependence' villa style rooms arranged in the grounds 100-850m away. 

• Each historic room has restored elements such as exposed, wood-beamed ceilings and lava-stone walls. 
• The newly built guest rooms use local materials and offer modern luxury and floor to ceiling windows.
• The villas are private and very comfortable, separate from the main building and offer privacy and enchanting views of Mount Etna, the vineyards and the sea.

A golf buggy is available to collect or drop off guests from rooms which are situated further away from the main hotel building.

All the rooms have air conditioning, free fast WiFi access, luxury linen and fine cotton bedlinen, mini bar and selection of local organic specialties and Etna wines made on the estate, Bose WiFi speakers, telephone, safe, Anyah eco bathroom products, 500-650gsm organic cotton towels, bathrobes and slippers, evening turn-down, coffee machine, kettle, tea & herbal infusions and coffee selection in the room. 

Additionally guests will receive a welcome glass of Guido Coffa wine per person upon arrival during check-in (at Convivium Bar in the winter; at the Pool Bar during the summer), fresh fruit basket of organic fruit from the estate and complimentary water in the room daily. 

All rooms have a concierge service and room service (on request, extra cost).

Double Deluxe Room  (28-40m2, sleeping 2) Spacious and bright with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, king size bed, (some with floating bed, others four-poster canopy), most with fireplace and original lava stone of the external walls, the exposed wooden beams and parquet flooring.  Some rooms host precious works of art, such as the original paintings of Olivier Mourão. All the bathrooms are different and have walk-in shower, some also have a bathtub. Space for cot (on request).
Located in different parts of the estate, ideal for couples looking for more space privacy and enchanting views of the sea and the vineyards. They have a private, furnished patio or garden for relaxing afternoons surrounded by nature. 
Schietto and Floreale are newly constructed, sustainably-built rooms located in a walled private garden. 

Junior Suite(40-50m2, sleeping up to 4) Spacious and bright with country-chic feel all with fireplace, wooden beams, floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, king size bed with selection of pillows and a comfortable and stylish sofa bed. Situated around the estate they are in the old farmhouses located at different distances from the main building. They are all different designs but all have a patio and private garden with views to the sea or have a jacuzzi mini pool on the terrace overlooking the vineyards or with view over the oak forest with access to one of the estate’s private pools. All have a bathroom with walk-in shower, some with bath and shower and there is private parking. Cot on request.

Estate Suites(40-60m2, sleeping up to 4) Located in the restored 18th century manor house or in renovated, historic farm buildings in the grounds of the estate offering complete privacy. Contemporary design with spacious and comfortable interior and garden with seating area with table and chairs, sun loungers and sun deck with view to the sea, Mount Etna and citrus grove.  They combine classic and contemporary furniture and original works of art by painter Olivier Mourão, lava-stone walls and sloping wood-beamed ceilings. All the Estate Suites have bedroom with a king size bed with selection of pillows and independent living room with sofa bed and fireplace, either on the same floor or on different floors. The bathrooms of the Suites are designed differently with wide walk-in shower, some have bath tubs some of which are located in the middle of the room. Cot on request. 
Minerale  is located in an ancient wine press converted into a lovely room with an alcove with a third single bed. 
Amabile Suite  overlooks Etna and houses a stylish in-room bathtub.
Deluxe Estate Suite With Private Pool  (50-65m2, sleeping up to 5) located about 300m from the main building and reception on the scenic hills of the estate, each with a private garden furnished with sun loungers and infinity swimming pool from which to enjoy the Sicilian sun and sea breezes. The bedroom has four-poster king size bed with selection of pillows, and there is a separate lounge area with a fireplace, sofa bed and a single day bed to accommodate up to 3 guests.  The bathrooms have walk-in shower, some have bath tub.
Deluxe Estate Suite Fiore:  2 bathrooms, one with a large bath tub for two, and the other with a walk in shower. 
Deluxe Estate Suite Elegante: a spacious shower room and a space with an in-set bath for two offering a 180 degree view of the surrounding vineyards.

Three Bedroom Pool Villa(224m2) comprising of 3 individual suites that can also be booked independantly: Suite (122m2), Pool Estate Suite (75m2) and a first floor Junior Suite. The villa overlooks a large private garden with a private pool reserved for guests staying in these rooms and views over the coastline and Mount Etna.

Estate Villa with Private Pool(50-65m2, sleeping up to 4) These delightful, detached villas with private gardens and infinity swimming pool have been created in renovated farm buildings, such as granaries and wine presses, 300m away from the main hotel building but served by golf cart service or accessible by private car. The Villas are very spacious and offer comfortable, refined decor that combines the classic features including lava stone walls, sloping wooden ceilings, fireplaces, parquet flooring, original art and reclaimed Sicilian artefacts with modern design elements such as floor-to-roof windows.
Bedrooms have king size beds with selection of pillows and living areas have a sofa bed, either on the same floor as the bedroom or on different levels. They can comfortably accommodate a cot on request. All the bathrooms are designed differently and have a wide walk-in shower, some with bath tub.
The private gardens become an outdoor living room with an infinity swimming pool with views of Mount Etna, the vineyards to the sea.

Monaci Villa with Private Pool(65m2,  sleeping up to 3) A very comfortable, detached residence that was created for guests who are looking for a peaceful, private space  completely surrounded by nature, located about 300m from the main building that can be reached by our golf cart service or your own private car. The private garden has a lovely living space and an infinity swimming pool overlooking the Monaci estate to the sea. 
Decorated with a mix of contemporary Italian design and original art, have parquet flooring and a fireplace giving character to the living room which has a sofa bed. The bedroom has a contemporary four-poster bed with selection of pillows and all the rooms have full-length windows with picture-postcard views of the estate. The bathroom has a walk-in shower, some with baths.

Villa Vellutato has an unique feature with an ancient lava flow incorporated into the walls of the living room and adds a sense of drama and history to the room.

Two Bedroom Villa with Private Pool(150m2, sleeping up to 8) The most exclusive villa due to its large size, number of bedrooms and striking hilltop location. The 2 Bedroom Villa is made up of two combined suites, an Estate Suite and a Deluxe Estate Suite, the perfect choice for guests looking for privacy and plenty of space, as surrounded by a large private garden with glorious scenery and panoramic views.
Contemporary designer furnishings and original works of art, such as Olivier Mourão's paintings, are combined with exposed wood-beamed roofs and parquet flooring to embellish the natural charm of the rooms.
The 2 double bedrooms have modern four-poster beds with selection of pillows and the 2 living rooms both have sofa beds. One of the bedrooms also has a private entrance so the rooms can be separated.
There are 3 bathrooms, one with a shower and bathtub, one has large shower and bathtub for two set flush with the floor to enjoy 180-degree view of the surrounding vineyards, and a third smaller bathroom.
Outside the large private furnished garden has spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Please note: The Villas do not have kitchens.

The hotel has a traditional Sicilian restaurant with panoramic terrace enjoying far reaching views over the countryside to the Ionian Sea. The organic farming is the cornerstone of the Restaurant 'Locanda Nerello'. There is a daily buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner menu (extra cost) specialising in regional dishes produced from home grown organic and local produce that has travelled ‘zero kilometres’, accompanied by a selection of wines, 98% from the Etna region.The restaurant is open to the public and prior notice is required for dinner.  During the warm season lunch is served at the Pool Restaurant.

Monaci is commited to the Slow Food Movement, passionate about food as an experience and they are fully involved in the production of what they serve to their guests from the estate.  The buffet breakfast is served in the old wine press or outside on the sea view terrace with freshly-baked homemade cakes and tarts, homemade Sicilian bread using local flour, homemade jams, cold meats, local honey, cheeses, organic eggs from the estate hens, organic fruits from our own gardens and freshly squeezed juices, made to order everyday.

Private Hillside Dining: For special anniversaries, proposals and memorable moments, Monaci can organise a private candlelit dinner for two on the hillside above the main house.

There is a Pool Bar and Conivium Bar: In the warm season the Pool Bar is open during the day and the Convivium Bar serves drinks during the evening. The Convivium Bar is the meeting place for guests to enjoy an aperitif and listen to music. Three times a week, sample cocktails and bitters whilst listening to smooth Sicilian jazz. 

In the gardens there is an outdoor swimming pool (open April-November) with easy entry access, surrounded by sunbeds scattered on the lawned areas, shaded by citrus, jasmine and olive trees. The hands-on owners of the hotel are very informative and passionate about both the history of the estate and the local area.  On request, the hotel can organise bontanical tours of the estate, wine tasting, cocktail master classes, cookery classes (on request), outdoor yoga classes, horse riding, helicopter tours, trips to Mount Etna and other unique experiences. Private massages and wellness treatments are available in the comfort and privacy of the guest rooms and suites (on reservation, extra cost). There are complimentary bikes available. 

Weekly house activities include: Herb Garden guided visit by our Barman or Chef; Sunrise experience; Catching of the eggs; Children activities (playground; treehouse).

The Chef's Secrets: Learn the culinary secrets and specialities of Sicily; an experience of food heaven! For example, you can attend a "Pasta-making" class, guided by our wonderful chef, using organic eggs from our own chickens.

Tasting  Wine and Olive Oil with Monaci’s own Sommelier: Guests have a unique opportunity to learn about the world of wines through the lens of winegrowing and winemaking traditions from Mount Etna. Using the estate’s vineyards and ancient winemaking facility (palmento) as the venue, this private wine tasting course is designed and taught by the Monaci's own Sommelier. During the session, guests go on an educational vineyard walk and a palmento tour followed by an expert-led tasting of wines from the Monaci delle Terre Nere estate and the best producers on the volcano. Cocktail master classes are dedicated to the preparation of syrups and essences made from the estates own herbs, fruits and flowers to create classic cocktails and personalised drinks.

A golf buggy is available to collect or drop off guests from rooms which are situated further away from the main hotel building.  Golf cart for self-driving: €140 per day (up to 8 hours) – €100 half day (up to 4 hours).

The Family Program features activities for children including painting and botanical workshops, photographic treasure hunts, visits to Adventure Parks and museums and more activities on the estate including egg collecting from the hens and tree houses.

1 bottle of Sparkling Wine and a sweet welcome by our Pastry Chef in the room upon arrival + 1 complimentary dinner for 2 people (drinks excluded). (Applicable for Suites & Villas only and for a minimum length of stay of 5 nights.)

Monaci delle Terre Nere is situated on a 60 acre farm at the foot of Mount Etna. It is just 2km away from Zafferana Etnea, a small hillside town on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, 600m above sea level, surrounded by vineyards and citrus groves, with panoramic views the picturesque Sicilian coastline.

The town attracts visitors and walkers throughout the year, to explore the cultural heritage of the town with 18th century buildings, elegant central piazza and close to Mount Etna National Park. It is 9km to the nearest beach, 20km from Rifugio Sapienza to access the summit of Mount Etna, 35km from Taormina and 31km from Il Picciolo Golf Club.

All prices from are based on accommodation only. Flights, transfers and car hire are priced separately.

Opening Date: 21st March 2024
Closing Date:  7th January 2025
Arrival/Departure Day:  ANY
Check In:  3PM
Check Out:  11AM
Included in Price:  Accommodation as Stated, Just Sicily Rep Service and Emergency Number
Not Included in Price:  Flights, Transfers, Car Hire, Travel Insurance and City Tax

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