Hotel

I Carusi

Noto, Sicily, Italy

Only four kilometers away from the pretty Sicilian baroque town of Noto there is a little paradise for those who want to be close to the sea and still be surrounded by lush nature: I Carusi. The old Sicilian farm is idyllically situated on a hill and is surrounded by six hectares of organically managed almond and olive groves. Operator Simona has lovingly renovated the farm using natural and regional materials and turned it into a real oasis of well-being. With her, nature lovers can relax and let themselves be pampered.

The three large suites and the two superior rooms are timeless, minimalist and tastefully furnished. They suites have a kitchenette (for preparation of cold dishes only), their own entrance and a private garden with terrace. The dining area in the main house with veranda and the large garden with infinity pool, from which a spectacular view of the surroundings and the promisingly glittering sea opens up, is shared by the guests.

It is only two kilometers to the beach and the nearby nature reserve, the Riserva naturale di Vendicari. Thanks to the little-used dirt road and surrounded by meadows, bushes, lemon gardens and agricultural areas, these can be effortlessly covered on foot or by bike. Guided tours of the surrounding area, such as the majestic Mount Etna, which is only an hour and a half away by car, can also be organized.

“I've been a passionate organic farmer for 15 years. When my husband and I discovered this abandoned and extremely dilapidated farm in 2013, the vision of what we have now created after many years of hard work immediately unfolded before my eyes: A small paradise in the middle of nature, with plenty of space for relaxation. "(Simona)


Rooms + Rates

per night
Double roomfrom190 €
Suitefrom250 €

Sustainable

ArchitectureThe I Carusi estate was lovingly restored according to the highest quality standards and with environmentally friendly, regional materials. Local, volcanic tuff stone was used for insulation. Terracotta - Italian for "cooked earth" - gives the buildings a warm atmosphere. Right at the beginning of the renovation work, when the scaffolding was put up, Simona's seventh sense of creativity awoke: surely something could be done with this too! She had her eye on the scaffolding planks - the boards that are laid over the scaffolding sections to give the craftsmen space to work. She kept them after the façades were finished and later recycled them for the interior lining of the common rooms.

FoodIf you want, you can help Simona in the morning in the garden and in the greenhouses, where she grows fruit and vegetables for her own use - 100% organic, of course. What she doesn't produce herself or find on her forays into nature, she buys from a regional cooperative - and uses it to prepare mainly vegetarian dishes for her guests. "Ci metto l'anima, non c'e bisogno di un siglio gourmet" - Simona does not claim to be a star chef. She puts her heart and soul into her kitchen creations and is convinced that organically produced food gives a very special energy. "Many of my guests still rave about my organic linguine with wild fennel and almond pesto and my chickpeas alla turmeric," she says proudly. She has the finest extra virgin olive oil pressed from her organic olives, which has already won several prizes. Her organic almonds of the Pizzuta di Avola and Fascionella varieties delight with their bitter-sweet, delicate aromas.

EnvironmentRainwater is collected for the irrigation of the greenhouses and the garden; Solar and photovoltaic panels produce electricity and hot water thanks to the Sicilian sun, which shines from the sky on average 300 days a year. In addition, all buildings were very well insulated to minimize energy consumption. The extensive avoidance of plastic waste and the purchase of regional organic food is just as natural for Simona as the gentle, ecological management of her 6 hectare organic paradise.

Well-BeingYoga lessons can be done everyday on the covered terrace in the garden and massage offers can be booked at any time for an additional charge. Simona is an aromatherapist, produces her own essential oils and exudes exactly what her guests expect from a stay with her: health, harmony with nature, energy and serenity.


Characteristics

  • 6 hectare organic paradise, passionately run by the host couple
  • Individually designed rooms that are timeless, minimalist and tastefully furnished
  • The hostess coolaborate in the kitchen to prepare dishes with organic ingredients.
  • Most of the ingredients come from our own fruit and vegetable garden
  • Award-winning olive oil from our own production
  • The fine sandy beach of Noto is only 2 km away
  • I Carusi is the ideal place to go on excursions to the pretty baroque towns of Noto, Ragusa Ibla, Modica or Syracuse
  • Excursions by boat and on Etna (by reservation)

Bio Boutique Hotel3 suites, 2 roomsRestaurantChildren welcomeWi-Fino disabled accessPoolno pets

Features

  • Small Bio Relais with 3 suites (52m² each) and 2 superior rooms (32m² each)
  • All rooms have their own terrace and garden access
  • The suites are equipped with a fridge, kettle and espresso coffee machine
  • The rooms are also suitable for families (2-4 people)
  • Infinity pool with sun beds and umbrellas
  • Nice winter garden
  • 5 bikes that can be borrowed for free (no bikes for children)
  • Yoga lessons (by reservation) can be done every day
  • Offer of massages and aromatherapy on request
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Rooms + Rates

per night
Double roomfrom190 €
Suitefrom250 €

Location + Directions

By car

I Carusi can be reached by car in around 1 hour from Catania (90 km). From Messina it takes about 2 hours (186 km) and from Palermo it is a good 3 hours (285 km).

With public transport

It is generally possible to travel by public transport from the airport in Catania to Noto, which is 4 kilometers away, and to be picked up here. To do this, you usually first take the bus to Catania to the bus station. From here there are bus and train connections to Noto, although a change in Syracuse is usually necessary. Pick-up from the airport or train station is possible for a fee.