Resort Borgo San Rocco

Amazing location, staff and experience. Our favorite hotel in Sicily. Owner is a wonderful gentleman who treats his guests and staff like close friends. Make sure you are driving a small car or you may not make it the last ¼ mile to the hotel though. In that case, park behind Bar Vietalli and walk or take the tuk tuk, which is usually parked across the street from that bar (a Godfather scene shooting locale). If you do have a small car proceed up what looks like a pedestrian only path that a careful reading of signs will inform you is OK for guests of the hotel to drive. Again, it’s narrow and steep, so you may not make it in an SUV. Also, DO NOT follow Goggle maps gps directions to the hotel. From Danta Teresa on the coast follow the signs for Savoca. When you reach Savoca look for signs to the hotel. Really no problem with a small car and you will not want yo leave the perfect hotel in this perfect setting.

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Our stay at the Resort Borgo San Rocco was fantastic. My wife and I have never felt more welcome at a hotel; by the end of our two nights, it felt more like we were saying goodbye to distant Sicilian cousins than hotel staff. The view from the resort is stunning. We arrived at just before sunset as the shadows slowly stretched across the valley and the lights of the hill top towns in the distance started to sparkle. And we awoke to a glorious sunrise peaking first over the Ionian Sea and then drenching the hills, the flowers, the orange and lemon trees and the cactus that clings on to the sheer cliff edges creating a unique landscape. I cannot mention the location without also mentioning Savoca’s place in cinematic history. Two iconic scenes from The Godfather were filmed in this beautiful town: the Sicilian wedding, and the encounter at Bar Vitelli (which is now a cafe where we spent the afternoon sipping negronis, coffees and spritzes). Both church and the bar are within 15 minutes walk of the resort, and it is a very scenic walk at that. We didn’t feel the need to eat much at Bar Vitelli as the team at Resort Borgo San Rocco kept us well fed. The breakfast buffet is a spread of fresh fruit, freshly baked breads, tarts and pastries, home made jams and marmalade, freshly squeezed juice and great coffee. They were extremely accomodating for dietary requirements (my wife is gluten intolerant and there were multiple gluten free options for her at every meal). The dinners were also spectacular. The menu changes every night, the chef is committed to using as locally sourced ingredients as possible and every dish we tried during our stay was absolutely delicious. If you are driving to the resort I can highly recommend going in as small a car as possible. The road up to the village and then to the hotel is tight and windy, and you’ll navigate narrow cobbled streets that give the town so much character.

The only bad thing about the property is that it is not an easy drive to get there. It’s well worth the effort, and the team gives excellent instructions to get there. The smaller the car you go in the better.

The experience of this hotel exceeded my expectations:the rooms have furniture that fits perfectly with the design of both location and the architecture of the small town. Everything is thoroughly calculated:dishes,furniture,decorations. Staff is family,not employees. From the chef,the ladies who greet you at the reception,kitchen;to the waiters,they are all fantastic. We chose to have dinner here almost every night because the food is excellent, and the chef took into account the allergy that my cousin had. This is great hospitality service!

Location,the good part, is the amazing view. Take into consideration that it takes a good driver ,but you get used to it. Definitely don't recommend a large car for these roads.

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you find destination where everything exceeds your expectations. Borgo san Rocca is such place. The hospitality, the view, the food and the rustic atmosphere in general is unique. We had dinner there the first night and decided to do so also the second one as well and were very happy Having the possibility to meet the founder and share a glass with him during inspiring conversation was something we valued Hope we get the opportunity to visit again!!

The driving up the mountain and the last path from Savoca is not for people who are afraid of heights. But finished, it adds to the charm

When we arrived at the Borgo, we were welcomed with open arms by a lovely receptionist and introduced to Vittorio Moschella, the founder of this magnificent property. While talking to Vittorio, we immediately felt a warm connection and before we knew it, we were standing in the restaurant's kitchen where he prepared a small lunch for us. This was the start of what would turn out to be a very memorable stay... The rooms are spacious, very clean and comfortable (we had one at the front with sea view). The breakfast was amazing (probably the best we had in our 2-week trip through Sicily) and dinner in the restaurant was also fantastic. The pool is located at the back of the hotel - quite a few steps down, but the view is mesmerizing! We originally planned to stay here for 2 nights, but were luckily able to extend our stay with an extra night. Vittorio and his team understand what hospitality is all about. They went above and beyond to make our stay as comfortable as possible. Thank you all very much and we hope to return someday!

The location is one of the best I have ever experienced. That includes much of Europe, Asia and the United States. Superb. Victorio is a real wonder. He is surely at the heart of this amazing place. The staff are in a different league of friendly. The welcome is superb. Food is excellent.

This type of location seems to attract a real'type'. Fellow guests were either super loud Americans (i don't need to hear about your wonderful life from 3 tables away) or arrogant Europeans who clearly think they are better than everyone else. This is such a shame because it is the only criticism we have. To all those fellow residents during our trip... get over yourselves, smile, lighten up, and remember how ever much you think you are better than everyone else, you are just an ordinary human being like the rest of us. Rant over!

Loved the property. Francesca at the front desk was exceptionally wonderful. She set the tone of the whole delightful stay! The property was wonderful in a secluded away from the “crowds”. Loved meeting the owner Victorio and his son Francesco. It made it feel like a more intimate family gathering instead of strangers. The dinners were delicious and the outside setting wonderful.

The rooms, set up, outside patios were great. I would suggest that perhaps the cobwebs and stairs could be swept in the stairways going to the rooms. Otherwise it was perfect. The driving to get to the property is not for the faint of heart, because of the narrow streets and turns.

This was an impulse booking up above Savoca en route to Taormina but ended up a highlight. The location is spectacular and involved a very challenging drive up steep narrow twisty roads (although well maintained if you follow the hotels directions not google). Once up there the view was superb and the facilities impressive. This was a restoration project by the owner who we met and who explained the project. The staff were lovely and couldn't be more helpful and the room and balcony view were amazing. Dinner was good and breakfast excellent. Savoca down below was a small town made famous in the Godfather film - which we were unaware of at the time.

It felt a bit end of season or off the beaten track as passing trade is impossible up on the hill. Dining atmosphere was a bit muted as not full despite excellent waiting staff and the owner sharing some lovely wine. The drive down was a bit scary as we took a wrong turn down an unmade road and had to U turn on a steep road. The real route was narrow but safe as long as nothing came up...

The staff could not have been more welcoming and friendly. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to the bridal suite with a beautiful small balcony looking out at the stunning seaview. On arrival we were immediately given a coffee and brioche to relax and enjoy the peace. Nothing was too much trouble for Francesca and her team. We loved the pool, the food in the evening was superb and conversation with the owner (and the wine he brought for us to taste) was great fun. We would go back in a heartbeat! Savoca itself is beautiful too. Bring a small car and a steely disposition for the drive up through the narrow streets. It's worth it!

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An amazing property in a very quaint quiet town. Great for getting away from the bustle of big cities; fantastic food offerings from the restaurant, probably one of the best fish I have ever eaten. The staff were all super friendly and accommodating (Francesca and the young lady at the Front Desk). They organised a private Godfather Tour for us with Marco - an amazing young man full of knowledge and passion, who not only shares history but also geographical information. Being shown around the area by Marco was like a virtual history/godfather tour well worth it. The owner is very friendly and adds the personalised touch by coming over to say hello to all dinner guests, together with the very friendly restaurant staff, from breakfast to dinner! I would also recommend arranging all transportation with the hotel - Massimo - as the location is remote, having someone from the resort made the transfer more seamless and comfortable.