Il Borgo Del Principino

Favignana is not the place for a hotel that asks you to admire its lobby all day. Il Borgo Del Principino gives you a historic baglio farmhouse, a garden filled with scented flowers and trees, and apartments designed for a little more independence than a standard room. The setting sits beneath Mount Santa Caterina and its castle, with sea views and the coast of Sicily opening out beyond the property.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Italian, so you can sort out the practicalities without resorting to underwater hand signals. The atmosphere suits divers who like their evenings simple: a swim, something cold from the bar, perhaps dinner on the terrace, then a private apartment rather than another anonymous room. Families are welcome too, with family-sized accommodation and a children's menu available.

You are in Favignana, Italy, in a seaside setting with direct access to a sandy beach equipped with sun loungers and parasols. The town centre is about 250 metres away, close enough for a wander rather than a logistical operation. Praia Beach is around half a mile away, while Calamoni Beach is about 1.3 miles from the property and Lido Burrone Beach about 1.5 miles away.

The island's protected marine area is roughly 0.7 miles away, and Mount Santa Caterina rises directly behind the property. You can walk towards the island's highest point for views over the Sicilian coast and the Egadi Islands. For other outings, Cala Rotonda is about 2 miles away and Cala Rossa about 2.3 miles away; car hire and bicycle rental are available for reaching the more spread-out corners of Favignana.

Restaurants are close enough to make self-catering optional rather than compulsory. Nautilus is around 0.6 miles away, Ristorante da Eugenio e Laura about 0.5 miles away, and Quello Che C'È, C'È roughly 0.6 miles away.

The accommodation is apartment-led, which changes the rhythm of a diving holiday. Every unit has air conditioning, a private bathroom, a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette with a refrigerator, hob, oven and kitchenware. That means cold water and food can be waiting in your own space, rather than relying on the nearest restaurant to still be interested in serving dinner when you return hungry and salt-encrusted.

For a couple, the Standard Studio keeps things straightforward, with a king-size bed and a compact layout. If you want more room to spread out, the One-Bedroom Apartment gives you a separate sleeping arrangement and works for up to three guests. The Two-Bedroom Apartment and the Apartment with Terrace are the more natural choices for four people, while the split-level studio adds a different layout for a small group or family. The terrace option is the one to consider when outdoor space matters more than keeping everything on one floor.

Private entrances and detached-apartment characteristics give the accommodation a more self-contained feel. You also have a wardrobe, linen, towels, a hairdryer, free toiletries and a drying rack for clothing. Tile or marble floors are practical in a seaside setting, and the air conditioning gives you a way to cool the room properly after heat, sun and sea. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms and throughout the hotel, with a flat-screen TV and cable channels for the moments when the island has finally beaten you.

Principino Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on a terrace with sea views. The kitchen is Mediterranean, using fresh local ingredients, and the restaurant keeps things casual rather than formal; diving hair and a sun-faded T-shirt will not require a diplomatic explanation. Breakfast is a buffet, served from 07:30, followed by lunch from 12:30 and dinner from 19:30.

Dinner brings a selection of local wines, which is exactly the sort of detail that makes an island evening work. The restaurant is available within a half-board arrangement, while the apartment kitchens give you the option of preparing something yourself when a full meal feels like unnecessary ceremony. A dining table, fridge and oven are useful here, particularly for early starts or the kind of evening where the sensible plan is food, a shower and silence.

There is one bar: Principino Bar, beside the outdoor pool. It specialises in cocktails, so the post-dive decision can be made without crossing the property or putting shoes back on. Limited-hours room service is also available.

The large outdoor swimming pool is the main place to decompress when the sea has done its work. Its poolside bar keeps the drink within reach, while the direct beach access gives you a second setting for a slower afternoon, with sand, loungers and parasols rather than another schedule to follow. There is no need to turn every surface interval into an expedition.

For time on the water, the resort offers access to snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, equipment hire and boat excursions. Bicycle rental and walking routes open up the island beyond the immediate shoreline. Cultural excursions can take you towards Favignana town or the Florio tuna factory, giving non-diving days a little more substance than repeated negotiations with the sun lounger.

The garden, terrace, picnic area and outdoor dining space are useful when you want to stay on site but do not want to sit indoors. Families can use the children's menu and babysitting service, while pets are welcome on request. Free private parking is available on site, and car hire provides another way to reach the beaches and coves scattered around the island.

Trapani Airport is the practical arrival point, with the journey to the property taking about an hour and a half by car. An airport transfer is available through the hotel, as are shuttle services, and car hire can be arranged. Bicycle rental is another option once you are on Favignana. Private parking on site is free and does not require a reservation.

Check-in runs from 14:30 to 20:00, and check-out from 07:00 to 09:30. You need to give the property your expected arrival time in advance, particularly if you are travelling on a late connection or an early ferry. Photo identification and a payment card are required at check-in; cash is not accepted, while Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

Luggage storage is available, as are concierge assistance and laundry services. Daily housekeeping can be requested. Smoking is not allowed, and heating is available alongside the air conditioning. Children of all ages are welcome; cots can be requested for children up to three years old, while extra beds are not available. Pets are accepted on request, with no additional charge.

The property sits beside Favignana's coastal landscape, with the Egadi Islands protected marine area around 0.7 miles away. Its position makes the sea part of the daily view rather than a distant day trip, whether you reach it from the beach, the pool or the terrace.

No specific environmental certification or named sustainability programme is attached to the property.