La Moresca is a beautiful boutique hotel just minutes from the sea and only 20 minutes from the UNESCO-protected city of Ragusa, Sicily. With just fifteen guestrooms and minimal facilities, it is a boutique bolthole in every sense of the word: Charming and refined, with impeccable service. It’s also an idiomatic expression of Sicily itself: A century old, La Moresca is an excellent example of turn-of-the-century Sicilian art nouveau architecture, and the interiors seamlessly blend restored antiques and the work of contemporary artists. Leave the four charming walls of La Moresca and explore the city's Baroque cathedral, the church of Santa Maria delle Scale and the Zacco Palace.

The facilities

There's no restaurant, but plenty of dining options close by, so ask staff for recommendations. A lovely breakfast spread is provided each morning, but other than that the focus here is entirely on well-appointed bedrooms and an authentic display of Sicilian culture. Even the room service encourages guests to discover local cuisines. The small garden is bathed in rich sunlight and features fragrant jasmine, bougainvillea and succulents.

The rooms

Each of La Moresca's fifteen guestrooms is luxe-contemporary in style, in keeping with its communal areas. The straightforward black and white colour scheme mirrors the photography that adorns so many of the walls, with clean but chic modern lines. Peppered with rich woods and customized antiques, and the rooms are a seamless blend of old and new. All have air conditioning, satellite television, a mini-fridge, a safe and butler service for packing and unpacking.