Who am I to write a review about Hotel Signum on Salina Island? This incredible award-winning boutique hotel has already won so many prizes and attracted the curiosity of the international press – there’s also a photo book with jaw-dropping photos about the hotel. What can I add?
Well, I can add my experience, I guess. So let’s start from the beginning.
When I arrived to the Aeolian Islands I had no idea what to do and see there. All I knew was there were a bunch of relatively small islands and a couple of active volcanoes to climb. Salina Island didn’t ring any bell at first so when I took the ferry from Lipari to the Santa Marina port, I was not so excited and had no expectations at all. Well, except that I saw the island from Lipari at sunset and I thought it was really pretty – and thought “Let’s check it out!”.
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Salina Island as seen from Lipari Island
On the 15-minutes taxi ride from Santa Marina to Malfa (the location of the Hotel) I soon realized I was going to experience some of the best views of my life. I couldn’t wait to arrive to take out my camera. Little did I know, I was going to have an almost mystical experience…
So I arrived and I checked in. Super kind Izabela at the Reception welcomed me and showed me around (I later managed to get lost anyway, but this is another story…). I was assigned an exquisitely decorated “Executive Deluxe Room” – number 34, aka “Assenzio” (absinthe). Well, that was really romantic. The views from the huge private terrace are stunning: the ocean, the Islands of Stromboli and Panarea on the horizon, lots of greenery, the infinity pool on the side, and the lush hills beside me.
Signum Hotel and Room 34: Assenzio
Simple, clean, quiet. My room at Signum.
The bathroom. Spacious and cozy, with very good quality courtesy set.
The swimming pool at Hotel Signum.
The Hotel Location.
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The owner offered a SPA treatment. The weather was chilly and that sounded like a perfect plan. Signum has a beautiful SPA designed with a traditional style, relaxing colors, geothermic water rich in minerals, and last but not least dedicated beauty products made with authentic ingredients found on the very island: capers, orange, lemon, malvasia, fig.
The geothermic water at Signum Spa
The Steam Bath at Signum Spa
I definitely wasn’t expecting I was going to be covered in a mixture of capers, olive oil and sea salt, scrubbed and massaged for over 1 hour, that day, and it’s an experience that still makes me smile when I think back of it. My skin was glowing and so soft, for days after the treatment. And I loved the smell! So natural. The capers of Salina are worldwide famous and coming to this tiny island and having this specific scrub treatment felt luxurious, special and unique.
The scrub… ready to be smeared all over my body!
The SPA products at Signum
It is worth mentioning that just about 10 minutes away walking, which means right below the hotel towards the sea, there is a breathtaking path along the coast which leads to a beach called Punta Scario. In my case the experience was definitely enjoyable also because the weather was fantastic and most importantly there was literally nobody around – bear in mind I was there in late October and not during the summer, which I am pretty sure would mean a totally different experience.
Speaking of food & beverage, I was really impressed – breakfast had a very large selection of sweet and savory food, including organic fruit juice and dozens of different kinds of tea. Also, the view from the restaurant and bar terrace is really something:
Just arrived at Signum and enjoying the view!
Breakfast terrace at Signum with typical Sicilian vases
Dinner was served indoors as it was a bit too cold to sit outside that night. The restaurant room was incredibly romantic, with all the candles and a tasteful choice of music. I admit I felt a bit awkward being alone – and definitely underdressed – but the sommelier made me feel very welcome and did an excellent job with his friendliness and extensive knowledge about the dishes I was served, together with paired wines – I am used to pretty boring vegetarian meals but this was simply outstanding. Shout out to the chef, great job!
So this is what I have to say about the hotel. Too bad I only spent one night there, which was however enough for Signum to gain a special place in my travel memories, and on my “to do list” for the future, when I have a partner to travel with! This place is too romantic to experience it alone, in my opinion. So Signum, I’ll be back!
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Now to make your stay even more special, please make sure you take a bus to Pollara and your heart will be bound to this island forever. Again, I was there when nobody was around, so I would also recommend going off season. To give you an idea, this is the kind of scenery you find in Pollara – the nearby town:
Pollara cliffs, Salina Island – see the town?
Me in Pollara, just dreamy!
These were my two cents about Salina and Signum. Enough to make you want to go? :)
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Wow!! Amazing stay. I’ve never been there before but I love it and as you said is a life must for sure.