Relais Antica Badia - San Maurizio 1619

Set inside a grand eighteenth-century villa in the centre of Ragusa, Relais Antica Badia - San Maurizio 1619 is aimed at travellers who prefer history, food and a little ceremony to a resort built around a wristband. The property dates back to 1619 and was renovated in 2023, with Baroque frescoes, large halls and antique furniture from Sicily and elsewhere in Europe still part of the setting.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Italian, so you can deal with the practicalities without turning check-in into a game of underwater charades. The atmosphere suits couples particularly well, but family rooms and larger suites also make it workable when the trip includes more than two people.

This is a place for a slower evening: a drink, a Sicilian dinner, then the short walk back through a historic building rather than a corridor that could belong to any hotel on the planet.

The address is San Maurizio 1619, in Ragusa, Sicily, with the hotel positioned in the town rather than on the coast. Ragusa Ibla, the older lower part of the city, is around a 20-minute walk away. That gives you access to one of the area's main reasons for coming without having to turn every outing into a full-day expedition.

Ragusa railway station is roughly 0.5 mile away on foot. Giardino Ibleo is about 1.3 miles away, while the natural area known as Radici - Think Natural is around 1 mile from the hotel. The surrounding countryside is close enough to shape the landscape, but you remain within reach of restaurants and town life.

For arrivals by air, Comiso Airport is about 13 miles away by road, with Catania Fontanarossa Airport around 57 miles away. The hotel also has an airport shuttle service, which you can arrange directly with the property.

The rooms follow the building's character rather than trying to hide it: elegant fabrics, antique furniture and tiled or marble floors. Air conditioning matters in Sicily, particularly when you return warm, salty and ready to collapse horizontally. Soundproofed rooms are available, along with Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

For two people, the balcony categories facing the historic centre are the obvious choice when the view matters as much as the bed. The Deluxe Double Room is the more straightforward couple's option, while the Junior Suite gives you more room to spread out and suits a longer stay or anyone who dislikes living entirely from a suitcase.

The larger Suite del Barone is the one to look at when you want a proper sitting-and-sleeping arrangement rather than simply a larger double room. Refrigerators and kettles cover the useful small stuff: cold water when you come back tired, and a hot drink before the day starts. Bathrobes, slippers and private bathrooms keep the transition from street clothes to spa robe pleasantly uncomplicated.

Ristorante San Maurizio serves lunch and dinner indoors, in an air-conditioned setting, with traditional Sicilian cooking at its centre. The kitchen works with fresh local ingredients, and the format is half-board rather than an all-day buffet operation. Smart casual is the dress code, so your most battered boat T-shirt may need to sit this one out.

Breakfast arrives as a buffet with continental, Italian and vegetarian choices, and a breakfast-to-go option is available. Vegetarian and gluten-free diets are catered for, which is useful when a week of diving has already made food planning complicated enough.

There is one hotel bar, simply called Bar, serving cocktails, wine and spirits. A snack bar, coffee house and minibar add options between meals, while room service operates with limited hours. For a quieter start, breakfast can also be taken in your room.

The outdoor swimming pool is the straightforward answer when the Sicilian sun has done its work and you want to cool down without going anywhere. A sun terrace and terrace provide space to sit outside, while the shared lounge gives you somewhere to retreat when the weather, or your energy levels, turn less cooperative.

The spa is the stronger reason to stay in rather than head back into town. Facilities include a sauna, Turkish bath and steam room, with massage and facial treatments available. There is also a spa relaxation area and wellness packages, making it possible to turn a non-diving afternoon into something more purposeful than staring at the ceiling.

When you do want to move, the hotel offers walking tours, temporary art galleries and cycling, with hiking and horse riding also available. Cultural excursions are part of the programme, and the nearby historic streets, Giardino Ibleo and wider Ragusa area give you plenty of reasons to leave the pool for a few hours.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 23:30, and check-out is by 11:30. You need photo identification and a credit card at arrival. A 24-hour front desk, concierge, luggage storage, lockers and express check-in and check-out make the practical side fairly easy to manage, particularly if your flight and your room are not working to the same timetable.

Parking is available, including a nearby public car park where reservation is required. An airport shuttle can be arranged with the hotel, and car hire is also available if you plan to explore beyond Ragusa. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services are available when salt, dust and smart-casual clothing eventually meet.

Pets are welcome on request, and children of all ages can stay. Cots and extra beds can be requested for younger children, subject to the chosen accommodation. Cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted.