The meaning of the word ‘su-sa-fa’ is, they know how to do it. This term was used for communities that were self-sufficient and had no need for external supplies, and that certainly appears to be the goal at the luxury country farmhouse resort of Susafa in Sicily.
Hotel
The hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and the location in the heart of the Sicilian countryside is perfect for those wanting to escape from the modern-day stresses of city living, being approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Palermo airport.
An independently run, family-owned hotel, Susafa has been under the ownership of the Saeli-Rizzuto family for five generations. Currently, Manfredi Rizzuto is the main proprietor of the property and is very hands-on in all aspects of running the hotel. The extensive farmhouse complex was turned into a rustic, Eco-retreat in 2018.
The unique boutique charms are evident the moment you drive past the gates and onto the 1,200-acre rural property and part of the delight of staying at Susafa is getting lost in their sprawling exotic garden. The flora is often helpfully labelled, so you might come across the local fruit, nespole or herbs from the mint family such as lemon balm and water mint. Do not be surprised if you discover these fruits and herbs on your dinner menu as they push for increasing sustainability.
Room
The rooms do vary considerably in size and style with the entry-level classic double being housed in the former birthing stable, where the cows who were about to give birth were transferred to. At 21m², it is one of the smaller accommodation types on site, however, the décor still evokes the Sicilian farmhouse charms.
They’ve used handmade, wood stove-baked, Sicilian terracotta tiles for the flooring and Sicilian chestnut for the beamed ceiling, while goose feather pillows and comfy sprung mattresses are also provided. In tune with the hotel’s digital detox ethos, there are no televisions in the room and Manfredi has certainly given some thought to potentially not offering internet connectivity.
The suites are considerably more spacious with the likes of the superior suite at 70m² and here the design is also more modern and refined. It is situated in the old field guard’s accommodation on the first floor of the main building and the open-plan bathroom with a statement white ceramic bathtub is a prominent feature of the suite. The shower/shampoo and hand soap are locally produced using Sicilian fragrances.
Food and drink
Susafa’s restaurant is situated in their former Old Granary. The cooling stone walls and the vaulted ceiling give a sense of history to the dining hall that once stored mountains of grains that almost touched the rooftop. The menu is all about seasonality and celebrating the quality of their raw materials. Dishes are not overly complicated from a technical standpoint and have a focus on regional cuisine. Their chefs would be more than delighted to take you on a garden tour to visit their kitchen garden whilst chatting about the evening’s menu.
In the evening, they tend to offer a four-course tasting menu that includes a pasta course. Dishes you might encounter include thistle tartare and whole grain Susafa gnocchetti in beans soup with rosemary. They still grow a significant amount of Majorca wheat, which is an ancient Sicilian wheat that is particularly white, soft and nutritious. You can sample this local delight in plenty of the dishes they offer.
The bar is another highlight of Susafa and is housed in the former wine-pressing area. They run a wine-tasting session every Thursday from 6pm and are hosted by Manfredi himself, who is particularly passionate about Sicilian wines, especially natural and bio-dynamic wines. It features 10 wines and is a great way to also understand the topography of the island as Manfredi takes you on a whirlwind tour of Sicily through the various wine regions.
To do
One of the most unique experiences is to enjoy aperitif in the golden wheat fields of Susafa during sunset. The mesmerising backdrop, whilst enjoying sparkling wine and savoury snacks, is one of those moments that is almost impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Whilst the hotel doesn’t have spa facilities as such, they do offer massage treatments either in-room or under the carob tree outdoors in a sheltered environment. The facial or body massages generally last for about one hour using organic oils and creams with Sicilian fragrances.
They have curated other bespoke experiences such as picnics in the treehouse, a day out in the sea on their sailboat Quasar, and cooking workshops with their in-house chefs. The latter is particularly recommended if you want to learn about traditional Sicilian cuisine, it can range from cannoli making to pasta making to creating local delights such as arancine, panelle, and caponata.
In a nutshell
For the ultimate countryside escape in Sicily where you can relax in the heart of nature, look no further than Susafa.
Factbox
Susafa offers rooms from €320 per night.
Address: Contrada Susafa, 90028 Polizzi Generosa PA, Italy
Phone: +39 338 960 8713
Email: info@susafa.com
Website: susafa.com
