Sicily’s position in the central Mediterranean has made it a melting pot of various cultures, with influences from Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards. Each left lasting marks on Sicilian language, architecture, agriculture, and customs, shaping it into the diverse cultural landscape it is today.

Zahir Country House perfectly encompasses these cultural impressions, first and foremost in its carefully chosen name. “Zahir” in Arabic means “visible”, incapable of being unnoticed, which is exactly what the countryside farmhouse turned luxury retreat perfectly represents. A place that captivates every guest with its unique beauty, tranquillity and authenticity.

It left a lasting impression on me during my two-day visit with a feeling of more than just a place to stay; instead, an intimate, immersive and meaningful experience which captures the heart of the island’s beauty, history and natural allure with a blend of rustic charm and boutique sophistication. I have no doubt I will return to Zahir Country House, and I’m already excited to do so!

So What Makes Zahir Country House So Unique?

The Location: A Hidden Oasis

Hidden away in the sun-drenched countryside of Noto, a charming Baroque town in southeastern Sicily, Zahir offers the perfect blend of secluded charm with excellent proximity to renowned cultural attractions.

From the outside, it is a classic Sicilian Farmhouse, with a beautifully preserved 19th-century stone that left me smiling from ear to ear upon arrival. Situated amidst large gardens of olives, almonds, citrus fruits and carob, and surrounded by vineyards and gently rolling hills, Zahir’s exterior remains true to its authentic Sicilian roots and exudes an ambiance that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, it’s once you step inside and visit the gardens of the property do you fully understand its uniqueness.

The Sicilian countryside seems almost to stand guard over the peacefulness which marks the hotel. immediately on arrival I was blown away by this sense of serenity and bombarded with smells of fresh herbs growing directly in the gardens surrounding Zahir. From rosemary to sage and plenty more, all of which are of course used in the cooking at Zahir.

The Concept: Art, Nature and Sustainability

The concept of Zahir Country House is a testament to the creative vision of founders, Alessia Montani and Luigi Grasso. A vision to create a retreat which perfectly bridges the world of art, wellness and nature.

Zahir Country House is taking some truly unique strides in collaboration with M’AMA ART and M’AMA SEEDS. These unique projects were also founded by the hotel founders, Montani and Grasso, aiming to protect nature and the land around it.

M’AMA ART is a unique brand with a dual mission: to organise contemporary art exhibitions focused on cutting-edge human rights topics – such as the right to a healthy environment, biodiversity and food security – and, at the same time, to democratise art by merging it with daily life, infusing realms like food, fashion and design with artistic expression.

With the opening of Zahir Country House, a retreat was created that embodies this artistic experience, an innovation of ideas where every element, from the rooms to the common spaces, is unique and extraordinary. It is the result of collaboration with numerous artists whose contributions continually renew the space. Chicco Margaroli, the first artist collaborate with Zahir, initiated the concept of creating multiple environments with a distinctive atmosphere.

Zahir Country House is now opening The Parco dell’anima in collaboration with the M’AMA SEEDS project focusing on agricultural biodiversity. The project is responsible for promoting and bringing value to ancient Italian seeds and grains that are non-genetically modified and at risk of extinction. The Parco dell’anima is situated within the hotel gardens, a beautiful open-air museum where guests can view incredible artworks designed to raise awareness about the importance of plant and animal biodiversity in an exciting way.

The hotel goes one step further by thinking about sustainability within its day-to-day processes, all whilst using art to again showcase this. While exploring the gardens, my favourite example was Maria Cristina Finucci’s artwork “The Garbage Patch State”, which is a powerful artistic statement against plastic pollution. This commitment to the “plastic-free” theme reflects Zahir Country House’s desire to engage guests with current environmental issues, creating an experience beyond aesthetics to connect on a social and sustainable level.

Let’s take a walk through everything else you can expect from your own stay at Zahir Country House….

The Rooms: Tranquillity Unlocked

With just 10 rooms and suites that take the names of the most charming localities around Noto, Zahir Country House maintains its mantra of tranquillity and escape. Rooms range from cosy doubles to expansive suites, each offering serene views of the gardens and countryside and exuding an effortless elegance.

High ceilings, large windows, hand-picked furniture, traditional tiles and unique colour palettes in keeping with the natural surroundings, each room is thoughtfully designed with both comfort and style in mind and reflects Zahir’s desire to offer a truly authentic experience.

For me, there was no better way of waking up in the morning than with the gentle sunlight streaming through the windows, with our suite doors opening up directly onto the gardens. Each room has a small private patio with a table and chairs, perfect to ease your way into the day with a morning coffee or unwind with a glass of wine in the evenings.

The Dining: Sicily on a Plate

Whilst the design inside may be catering to international influences and guests, the cuisine is unwavering in its commitment to Sicily. With Sicilian chefs at the helm, the hotel’s onsite “Mennula” restaurant seamlessly showcases fresh, seasonal Sicilian dishes, with each dish infusing a touch of creativity into traditional recipes and utilising ancient Sicilian grains.

Breakfast remains a lavish spread to indulge in when you so wish and it was my favourite start to the morning – complete with Sicilian pastries, cheeses, freshly squeezed juices and of course the hotel’s very own almonds.

Dinner is a true celebration of regional ingredients with dishes such as homemade pastas, fresh seafood, and locally grown vegetables, accompanied by a curated selection of Sicilian wines.

What I loved about the dining is how the restaurant is exclusive to guests, maintaining a sense of serenity and calmness right through to the evenings. You can dine inside or my preference is always al fresco – in the charming outdoor terrace complete with intimate lighting and perfect for watching the Sicilian sunset.

Zahir has carefully considered sustainability in many aspects of their processes and dining is no exception – many ingredients come directly from the hotel’s own farm and gardens, or small artisan producers, including fresh vegetables, herbs, olive oil, and citrus, ensuring a farm-to-table experience that captures the flavours of the region. The menus also change seasonally to promote the recovery of abandoned crops and to take advantage of the freshest ingredients, maintaining the highest quality and supporting biodiversity. It is clear the passion for nurturing nature is woven throughout everything at the hotel.

The Experiences On Offer: Relax, Recharge and Reconnect

Beyond the luxurious rooms and fine dining, Zahir Country House offers amenities to suit every type of person – those wanting to completely unwind and relax, and those seeking a bit more of an active getaway. Normally I am definitely in the latter group, but something about Zahir made me relax in ways I haven’t before.

The inviting outdoor pool, surrounded by sun loungers and olive trees, offers the ideal place to soak up the Sicilian sun. A stroll through the Sicilian gardens reveals delightful spots to sit, meditate, or enjoy the stunning views amongst the citrus, olive and almond trees.

An open-air wellness centre within the gardens is the perfect place for some self-care – with a plethora of treatments to choose from – from massages and facials to holistic techniques, osteopathy, naturopathy, and reiki, all helping to relieve tension and fatigue and ultimately pamper yourself. Meditation, yoga, pilates and mindfulness sessions are also available at any guest’s request, and the hotel regularly hosts wellness retreats.

In the evenings, there is nothing more inviting than retreating into the garden to Zahir’s open-air cinema, choosing your favourite film and reclining back into the comfort of sofas adorned with cushions, blankets and Zahir’s very own gelato cart.

One of my favourite experiences was a cooking class with head chef Roberto. It’s a testament to the true authenticity and genuine warmth of everyone at Zahir Country House. With an outdoor kitchen area, we spent the evening not only mesmerised by the Sicilian sunset over the olive trees but equally mesmerised by the flair of Sicilian cooking. Chef Roberto taught us how he elevates traditional recipes, and we spent hours of fun cooking up a three-course meal which we then proceeded to enjoy under the stars with the finest Sicilian wine.

And after all of the above, you can still find time to hide away in one of Zahir’s many rooms – we enjoyed playing games of chess and cards in the hotel’s charming games room overlooking the countryside, as well as snuggling up in the lounge area on the stylish yet comfortable chaise lounge, reading one of the many art books and exploring the artwork collaborations throughout the hotel.

For guests looking to explore outside of the hotel, Zahir Country House serves as a perfect launch point for unforgettable experiences. Staff are more than happy to arrange guided tours of Noto, day trips to the nearby Vendicari Nature Reserve, hiking and cycling trips, visiting the vineyards nearby, or even sailing trips on the hotel’s 17-metre sailboat, where you can spend the day on the crystal-clear waters, soak up more of Sicily, and take advantage of sampling traditional dishes with an on-board picnic.

Final thoughts?

The perfect home-away-from-home, Zahir Country House is the epitome of beauty, tranquillity and authenticity in Sicily’s beautiful countryside. Staying here feels like slipping into another world – one filled with timeless beauty, where staff feel more like family and are completely genuine in their warmth and hospitality.

But more than this, it’s a retreat that will resonate deeply with those seeking a meaningful connection with Sicily’s heritage and nature. And I, for one, cannot wait to return.

W: Zahir Country House
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T: +39 345 142 4501

Written by Emma Blunt for Luxuria Lifestyle International