Syracuse | Hotel Gutkowski

Small shabby-chic Hotel Gutkowski has to be one of the coolest places to stay in Unesco World Heritage site Syracuse, a requisiste stop when travelling in Sicily. It occupies two traditional sea-front buildings lightly renovated with due deference to their humble architecture on Ortygia, the ancient island-heart of the city connected by 3 bridges to the mainland. So some of the 25 rooms have awesome sea views while others look out over a labyrinth of winding internal alleys towards the cathedral and its baroque façade (built on the site of a temple dedicated to Athena – that’s Sicily for you).

No two rooms are the same, and the whole place is minimally furnished in a cosy laid-back fashion with simple items unearthed here and there, carefully chosen and/or restored, alongside unobtrusive design pieces. Breakfast (and dinner too on request) is served in the in-house café or on one of the spectacular rooftop terraces. With all its seductive charm, this boutique gem is great value, from room rates which start at €80 to budget wine-list and café prices. They’re about to launch their own store too, offering as yet mysterious stuff of decidedly Sicilian flavour with the distinctive Gutkowski style. Meanwhile, I found there was serious shopping to be done in the little streets of Ortygia outside the door…