Staff WriterIf you’ve ever wondered what heaven might look like after a Sicilian facelift, the answer may just be the freshly polished spa at Picciolo Etna Golf Resort.
Perched on the slopes of Mount Etna and boasting a golf course that’s seen more volcanic drama than most soap operas, the resort has decided autumn is the perfect time to show off its new tricks.
The centrepiece is the Vinaria Suite, where grape must isn’t something you leave to ferment in a barrel but instead rub all over yourself in scrubs and bath salts. Toss in a jacuzzi tub, and suddenly you’re less tourist and more Dionysus on holiday.
The spa expansion isn’t just window dressing. Guests can now dunk themselves in a reaction pool, brave a rustic cascade shower with a proper wooden bucket, or just vanish into the so-called “silent area” with a book and a herbal tea, pretending not to hear their phone buzzing. There’s also a Technogym space kitted out with the latest machines for those who feel guilty about the pasta alla Norma they inhaled at lunch.
And for couples, there’s a new suite complete with a Turkish bath and, more importantly, private tastings of local wine. Priorities, sorted.
“Following our reopening in May, we are thrilled to be welcoming guests into an exciting autumn season and beyond into the winter,” said Mario Paoluzi and brothers Andrea and Francesco Scrofani, owners of Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & SPA.
“With our enhanced spa facilities, harvest-time gastronomy, and cultural experiences, Picciolo is proud to offer travellers a restorative Sicilian escape in partnership with Curio Collection by Hilton.”
Of course, Sicily in autumn hardly needs help selling itself. The surrounding Etna DOC wine region churns out reds like Nerello Mascalese and whites like Carricante, both of which pair beautifully with views from the resort’s panoramic pool.
Just down the road, Bronte throws its Pistachio Festival, proving there’s no nut too small for Sicilian fanfare. And if you’ve somehow had enough spa time, there are vineyards to stumble through, medieval towns steeped in Greek and Moorish history to explore, and filming locations from The Godfather and HBO’s White Lotus to tick off your Instagram list.
Back at the resort, Il Palmento restaurant keeps tradition alive with Sicilian classics, while La Ghiandaia reinvents them for modern palates. The autumn menu leans into the island’s zero-kilometre produce—mushrooms, pistachios, homegrown vegetables—served alongside Etna Rosso, Bianco, and even sparkling Spumante.
Let’s not forget the golf. The course at Picciolo Etna Golf Resort remains Sicily’s oldest, winding up the volcanic slopes before tumbling back down to the clubhouse like a rollercoaster in spikes.
The fairways are narrow, the views are jaw-dropping, and if you slice one badly enough, you might just be feeding a lava field.
As a Curio Collection by Hilton property, the resort also taps into the Hilton Honors programme, meaning members get discounted rates, flexible payments, and the ability to open their room with a digital key instead of fumbling for a card while tipsy on Etna Rosso.
Rates start from €200 per night for two guests, breakfast included—a small price for a Sicilian escape with golf, grapes, and a spa that could make even a lava flow feel relaxed.
For more information, visit Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton
