Zash Country Boutique Hotel ★★★★

Oh how nature has blessed Italy; there’s no doubt that nature bestowed some of her best riches on the Italians, demonstrated by the decadent lifestyle of the Ancient Romans. More recently however it is demonstrated in the popularity of Italian food, fashion, their vibrant culture and picturesque land. And so we travel to a most picturesque island, just past the tip of Italy’s boot. Here, Sicily sparkles like a precious gem in the Italian crown, with all its natural marvels.

Nature led me to Sicily, as I frantically searched for place to catch some early sunshine in early spring. I was looking for something striking and something dramatic, and like most things that are tagged with the Italian label, Sicily is just that. Drama smokes off Mount Etna, encircles all the adventurous activities one can take part in on the island or on one of its several offshore islands, it flavours the food, characterises the people and strikes you in the bright colours of this amazing fertile and abundant land.

So what could me more dramatic and striking than this: a rustic brick red Italian building in the Sicilian countryside, backed by mountains and only a fifteen minute drive from the beach? Not to mention its restaurant run by a chef with experience in nine different Michelin-starred restaurants, a large swimming pool and sunbathing area, and a guaranteed upgrade to a spacious superior double room of 30m². Yet the Zash Country Boutique is also calm and tranquil; it almost seemed to have sprung up in the midst of the Sicilian countryside. It was like a dream come true!

The Zash is set in a Garden of Eden of orange and lemon groves, arranged with gravel paths and surrounded in verdant greenery. Upon our arrival and as we walked to the entrance we could straight away smell the sweet aroma of citrus; fresh and inviting, and hear the pleasant song of birds. We were given a warm welcome by the hotel staff and felt quite at home in the hotel’s modern reception, contrasted with grey stones that underlined a volcanic history. The faded terracotta exterior of the building invokes history and tradition and at first when we arrived this troubled us a little, maybe the hotel wasn’t as modern as we thought it would be? But how we were proved wrong, first by the reception and second when we walked into our room for the week!

Superior rooms are to be found throughout the grounds but we found ours in the tranquillity of the garden, bordered by lemon and orange trees. The line between inside and outside was made a fine line, with large floor to ceiling in windows that also made the room luminous and spacious. The room was modern, shiny and sleek, in contrast to the traditional Italian building. Green and grey colours characterise the room conjuring up the images of the volcanic mountain and luscious countryside just beyond. The bathroom was chic with smooth white sinks and shiny glass. The bedroom had a large bed with a view of the garden so we didn’t even have to leave our bed to witness the delightful morning.

A visit to Zash’s restaurant is a must. Housed in the former wine cellar, this is a cellar with character. Rustic arched stone walls provide cosy avenues to walk around and the lighting creates the perfect atmosphere. The menu is seasonal and is partnered with local wines which simply taste divine! The bar is also not to be missed, located at the entrance to the wine cellar it’s a perfect stop off point for an aperitif before dinner or an evening’s cocktail. Comfortable and modern white sofas contrast the charming and rustic bare brick walls. The finest selection of drinks are stored in this cavern, drawing on the resources of Italy its rich vineyards and fruity flavours.

The exterior of the hotel comprises of a large swimming pool and verdant gardens. The pool is impressive in size and is framed by incredibly soft and comfy sun beds, equipped with a parasol. There is even an outdoor terrace where breakfast can be eaten in the warmth of the Italian sun, my favourite way to start a morning!

Another thing we loved about the Zash was its location. Free bikes were available from the hotel which we took full advantage of and cycled the refreshing 3km down to the beach. We also took the chance to hike in the mountains for some breathtaking views. I especially enjoyed the artistic and rich ancient attractions of the island; the ancient Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish have all left beautiful artefacts to be appreciated and formed a multi-layered and fascinating history.

The week ended rather more quickly than I hoped it would and it was soon time to say a farewell to our Italian country boutique retreat. Would we visit again? Without a doubt!