Principe di Salina: Boutique Hotel in Malfa, Aeolian Islands

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Principe di Salina is a boutique hotel in Malfa, on the island of Salina, in the heart of the Aeolian archipelago.

Fourteen rooms, every one with a private terrace and a view of the sea. In the morning the sun rises between Stromboli and Panarea, straight ahead of you. Principe di Salina is a small, family-run hotel that opened in April 2017 on the island’s north coast, a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Malfa.

The Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago off the north coast of Sicily, seven inhabited islands reached only by sea. Salina sits at their centre, and the hotel is built on four levels around its pool, between a Mediterranean garden and the main house. The mood is that of a home rather than a resort: long breakfasts, an infinity pool where time loosens its grip, dinners served to share.

Sea-view rooms with private terraces

Warm colours, locally made furniture and simple white finishes. The rooms are designed for two and differ mainly in position, that is, in the way they face the sea. The renovated bathrooms have glass showers and natural finishes with majolica, the hand-painted ceramic tiles typical of Sicily, and blackout blinds help you sleep even when the light arrives early.

Superior

On the garden level, in the buildings either side of the pool: 21 m² (about 225 sq ft) of room and a 12 m² terrace with a direct sea view, with a double bed or twin beds.

Top Floor

The same size as the Superior rooms, on the upper floor of the same buildings. You look down on the pool, and the terrace, with an armchair and a hammock, opens onto the Aeolian horizon.

Suites

There are two, on the top floor of the main house: a 60 m² (about 645 sq ft) open-plan space with a king-size bed and a lounge area, plus a 40 m² private terrace. Designed for a couple, they can sleep up to four with two extra beds, though the space is open and shares a single bathroom.

Heated infinity pool and hot tub

The heated infinity pool is the centre of the day. Around it are wide loungers and a pool bar with an à la carte menu: fresh juices, cocktails and light lunch plates, which can also be brought to your room. Beside the pool there is a hot tub. The pool is deep and unfenced, which is one of the reasons the hotel is reserved for adults.

Breakfast and family-style Sicilian dinners

Breakfast is included and served on the sea-view terrace: sourdough bread baked in-house, Sicilian brioche, sweet and savoury dishes à la carte, and an omelette made to order with Sicilian cherry tomatoes.

In the evening the kitchen becomes the heart of the house. Dinner is served family-style, as it is in Sicilian homes: dishes arrive in the middle of the table and everyone shares. The menu changes daily with the market and the island’s produce, from swordfish with oranges and pistachio arancini, the island’s fried rice balls, to sourdough pizza, sweet-and-sour meatballs, couscous with Sicilian almonds and spaghetti with clams. Couscous is no surprise here: it belongs to Sicilian cooking, especially in the west of the island. To drink, Sicilian wines. You can take every course or ask for half portions to taste more.

An adults-only boutique hotel

Principe di Salina is an adults-only hotel, a choice made to keep the atmosphere quiet and unhurried. Teenagers over 12 are accepted with some limits, so ask when you send your request. It is a natural base for a couple’s trip or a honeymoon in the Aeolian Islands.

Malfa and the island of Salina

Malfa is the village on Salina’s north coast and still keeps a village pace. Punta Scario beach, made of pebbles and smooth stones and enclosed by greenery, is about fifteen minutes’ walk from the hotel. Note that Aeolian beaches are volcanic, pebbles and dark sand rather than white sand. To get around, the hotel rents electric scooters charged by solar panels; if you arrive by car, private parking is free for guests.

Salina is the greenest island in the archipelago: two volcanoes, Monte Fossa delle Felci and Monte dei Porri, with vineyards of Malvasia, a sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes, and fields of capers, the island’s other signature crop. Its central position makes it a good base for reaching the other islands by sea, and the reception helps arrange boat trips. To choose where to stay on the island, read our guide to Salina, boutique stays and nature; for a day at sea between Vulcano and Lipari there is the private Aeolian Islands boat tour. More ideas in our guide to Aeolian Islands excursions and the Aeolian Islands overview.

How to get to the hotel

There is no airport on Salina: the journey ends by boat. The nearest airports are Catania, Palermo and Naples, and the hotel recommends Catania. From there you drive or take a minivan to the port of Milazzo, and a hydrofoil, a fast passenger boat, takes you on to Santa Marina Salina. To catch the last hydrofoil, choose a flight that lands by early afternoon. The hotel can arrange transfers from the airport and the port.

Weddings, events and exclusive use

For a wedding, an anniversary or a group retreat, the whole property can be reserved: twelve rooms and two suites, up to 35 guests, with menus and services tailored to the occasion.

Check availability with the button above or write to us: we will help you decide whether Principe di Salina is the right choice for your stay in the Aeolian Islands.