This Italian Island Hotel Sits Inside a Stunning 1920s Post Office—and It’s Surprisingly Affordable

As we made the very short drive across Ponte Umbertino, the bridge that connects the beautiful island of Ortigia to the rest of Sicily’s Siracusa (Syracuse), one of the first sights to greet us was a grand building formerly known as the Palazzo Delle Poste. Now home to the Ortea Palace Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the former post office near the water’s edge welcomes its guests with a stunning, sun-filled courtyard within an atrium, complete with Medieval columns and Italian marble floors. Outside, fishing boats gently bob up and down on the calm Ionian Sea.

Flanked by statues and traditional Sicilian art, guests can soak in their surroundings upon arrival by enjoying an aperitivo at Champagnetta, the hotel’s lounge bar in the heart of the atrium, before heading out to explore the historic center by foot.

The hotel is in a prime location to start and finish a beautiful walking route along the entire perimeter of the island. A jog along the two-mile scenic pathway that hugs the rugged coastline quickly became our morning routine. Given the island is only just over half a mile long, and even less wide, all of Ortigia’s attractions are within easy walking distance of the hotel. We even left the island to walk to the Neapolis Archeological Park in Siracusa, which only took around 45 minutes. After a day exploring the charming, narrow streets of Ortigia and indulging in some of Sicily’s finest culinary delights—from artisanal gelato to arguably the best pizza I’ve ever eaten—the Ortea Palace Hotel offers a luxurious retreat to relax and recharge.

Here, my review of Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection.

The Rooms

With 75 rooms and suites, the Ortea Palace offers elegant yet comfortable accommodation with a wide variety of options depending on needs and budget. Given the hotel’s enviable waterside location, many suites boast wonderful sea views, with internal-facing rooms above the atrium also an option.

My wife and I stayed in a signature top-floor suite, which wowed us with a dual aspect view out to the Ionian Sea and a furnished wrap-around balcony, the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of Sicilian wine as the sun sank behind the distant hills of Siracusa. Floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms fully stocked with Diptyque bath and shower products added a luxurious touch alongside the robes and slippers we enjoyed at the end of a busy day.

Food and Drink

The courtyard feels like the epicenter of the Ortea Palace and has been designed for socializing and entertaining, so it’s no surprise that two of the hotel’s main food and beverage venues are located here, set at opposite ends of the atrium. Il Cortile, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Take a few steps across the marble floor and you will find yourself at the chic, art-deco lounge bar, Champagnetta. Pull up a plush stool and peruse the list of classic Italian cocktails to enjoy while you’re entertained by the live musicians who perform regularly at the piano.

The hotel’s rooftop fine-dining restaurant, Incanto, serves elevated Mediterranean dishes with spectacular views over Ortigia from its terrace and is something of a hidden gem for a special occasion or private function.

The Spa

The hotel’s spa has been designed to stay true to the building’s classic Italian style while making no compromises when it comes to ensuring it meets all the modern expectations of a five-star hotel guest. The ornate swimming pool, complete with a small hydrotherapy area, is reminiscent of a traditional Roman bathhouse. Additional facilities available to guests include a Turkish bath, oversized glass sauna, 24-hour gym, multi-sensory showers, and the hotel’s latest experience, La Nuvola (the Cloud), where a unique therapy uses sound, light, and motion to create the feeling of being suspended on a cloud.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The hotel is designed with accessibility in mind, incorporating ramps and elevators as well as accessible bedrooms and bathrooms. The hotel concierge is available to organize accessible transportation, assisted check-in, and personalized support for guests.

Energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and building systems are utilized to reduce energy consumption, and the hotel takes part in Marriott International’s efforts to minimize water waste by implementing low-flow fixtures systems and food waste by composting.

Location

Given the small size of the island and the fact that many areas are inaccessible to cars, the best way to explore Ortigia is on foot. The hotel is steps from the city center, with many options for eating and drinking, shopping, and enjoying historical sites including churches, piazzas, fountains, and the Medieval fortress. Should you decide to drive to Ortigia, the Ortea Palace Hotel does offer valet private parking for €40 per night, including the option to charge electric vehicles for an additional fee.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

As an Autograph Collection hotel, part of Marriott’s portfolio, you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points towards your stay at the Ortea Palace Hotel.

Nightly rates at Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection start from €300 (about $340 USD).

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.