Castroreale, Green Manors

Green Manors, Castroreale, is special. When we first visited there in 2005 we received a wonderfully warm welcome, enjoyed amazing food, loved our luxurious room (the Fantasy Hall Suite) and left knowing that we ' d return one day.

Since then we ' ve been back a further four times, the fourth of which was for our wedding last summer. The hospitality and the wonderful rustic luxury of Green Manors that we have come to know over the years meant that we just couldn ' t imagine having our wedding anywhere else. After getting married in Castroreale (the local town), Green Manors hosted our wedding reception and it was absolutely perfect. Forty guests were fed a wonderful six course banquet followed by an evening of drinking and dancing (to a fantastic Sicilian band) by the lovely pool. Green Manors helped create an atmosphere that was both fun and relaxed, whilst simultaneously being professional and very high quality.

Green Manors could not have been better hosts. They were so helpful both on the day and in the run up to the wedding, and went out of their way to ensure our dreams came true (such as hunting down two red Fiat Cinquecentos to serve as our wedding cars, and driving me to and from the hairdressers, florists etc in the days running up to the wedding). We felt like we were among family.

The banquet was excellent, and a fraction of what similar quality food and wine would have cost us in England. We chose a selection of our favourite dishes from Green Manors that we had tried over the years and our requests for scallops, white truffles, wild boar, swordfish and tuna carpaccio were all accommodated. They even made us a surprise Sicilian wedding cake which was beautiful.

We would wholeheartedly recommend Green Manors as a perfect location for a short break (or indeed a wedding!) for anyone who loves good food and wine, who likes small, family-run hotels that are full of character and individuality.

Excellent location, very relaxing, the owners made us feel very welcome, although chatting to strangers as though you are old friends can be a little tricky when you want to be on your own to enjoy the wonderful setting. The hotel is beautifully furnished with great care and attention as was the room and bathroom that we were given. Food was wonderful with the best breakfast we had anywhere in Sicily. We only had one night booked as we were travelling round but would have stayed longer if possible. As mentioned in the above, maybe the owners were a little too instrusive for some couples, but it is done with the best of intentions to make you feel at home. Would definitely stay again, for a feel or rural Sicily and food at its best.

We were not welcomed, and the only that was said was "hello, the key will be brought in a minute". We received the key from a room cleaner. When we left Green Manors in Castroreale, Sicily, the owner did not even ask if we enjoyed the stay. The only thing they said was about the money we had to pay for additional services.

If only we had known that Green manors would stand out so far above all the other hotels during our nine day [6 hotel] exploration of Sicily. We would have stayed more than two nights .... perhaps our entire vacation!

Green manors is a small hotel [10 rooms] decorated with great style by the proprietor (Chris) and her daughter (Pierangelo). Rustic luxury at its best. The dining room is romantic and the food excellent [mostly food from their organic farm]. Each part of the hotel seems to have been set up for visual enjoyment. From the deep and refreshing swimming pool to the lovely gardens full of orange and olive trees and an assortment of animals [alpaca, peacocks, ducks and dogs].

Pierangela and Chris are lovely people who are extremely helpful. They have both travelled extensively and have created, in only three years, a hotel that is World class.

We had one of our most memorable and amazing holidays at Green manors and intend to return many more times.

Enjoy!