Palazzo Hedone, a Restored Boutique Hotel in Sicily, Italy

"This is truly one of the most charming boutique hotels in Sicily," says Rossella Beaugie, one of my trusted Sicily Insiders. "The owners are two charming Parisians, who left their creative jobs at Louis Vuitton and Cartier, sold their chateau in France, and dedicated themselves entirely to this amazing restoration project. Palazzo Hedone is a very special place."

Located in historic Scicli in the Noto Valley, an UNESCO World Heritage site on the south-eastern tip of Sicily, the hotel is the ideal base for exploring the area's unique Baroque towns and lovely coast, lined with sandy beaches and tucked away bays.

An exquisitely restored 18th century mansion, Palazzo Hedone has only 11 guest rooms decorated in a blend of classic European elegance and Sicilian tradition ... think contemporary appliances like under-floor heating, home theater entertainment systems, and an all-weather swimming pool with a sliding roof alongside rustic fireplaces, stone patios and Sicilian artworks.

The emphasis here is on total relaxation ... you can walk into town, lie by the pool, head out with a picnic, enjoy a guided cultural tour of the area, book a massage, or take a cooking lesson. A shuttle bus will also drive you the 10 minutes to local beaches and the sea.

"This is very new," says Rossella, "but I think it is going to be a great success. It's just the right mix of classic and modern. It's also run by a Sicilian who really knows the hotel business. The heated pool in the courtyard is wonderful."

Rooms from €110 (about $156) per night.