Rocco Forte Hotels is strengthening its foothold in Sicily, Italy and has announced its third hotel in the Mediterranean island. The London-based hotel group will be expanding into Baroque Valley in Southeastern Sicily and transforming an 18th-century palace in Noto into a hotel.
Palazzo Castelluccio, the former palace built by Marquis di Lorenzo del Castelluccio in 1782, will be converted into a 31-key luxury hotel with 50,000 square feet of restored 18th-century architecture. Contrary to the baroque architecture throughout the town, the palazzo features a neoclassical design.
The palace originally had 105 rooms to cater to the family and staff and host gatherings. The palace also housed a music room, chapel and ballroom. The palace was thrown open in 2018.
“The acquisition of Palazzo Castelluccio is an exciting event in our company’s growth. In line with our focus on intimate and beautiful hotels in prime locations, the 31-room hotel will deliver a unique charm and authenticity which are characteristic of Rocco Forte Hotels. The signing speaks to Rocco Forte Hotel’s brand power in Europe, where we are uniquely equipped to source and revive celebrated buildings that add value to the community and that create unforgettable experiences for our guests,” Charles Forte, Rocco Forte’s director of development said.
The hotel will join two existing buildings — Villa Igiea (Palermo) and Verdura Resort (Sciacca) — and feature a restaurant, bar, garden lounge, spa, gym and meeting and event space. Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen will be collaborating with Olga Polizzi, deputy chairman and director of design at Rocco Forte Hotels, on the hotel’s interior design.
“Palazzo Castelluccio is more than just a luxury hotel – it’s a journey through time, where guests can immerse themselves in the splendour of Sicily’s golden age. Every element has been thoughtfully selected to ensure that the past is not only remembered but celebrated in every detail,” Moschino said.
Known for its baroque architecture, the historic town of Noto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While most of the buildings were destroyed in an earthquake in 1693, the Palazzo Castelluccio was among the buildings to be reconstructed after 100 years. Aligning with contemporary design aesthetics, the building was rebuilt from local compacted limestone, which adds a golden hue when sunlight hits the building.
Rocco Forte will be opening four new properties (in Milan, Sardinia, Sicily and Naples) in the next three years. The group is also expanding beyond Europe and has reportedly signed a hotel in Dubai and is looking to debut in Spain. Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, acquired a 49% stake in the group in December 2023. While the transaction amount was not officially disclosed, The Financial Times valued the deal at £1.2 billion, including debt of £1.4 billion.
