Hotel Signum sits in the village of Malfa on Salina in the Aeolian Islands, in a cluster of old island houses joined by terraces, lemon trees and bougainvillea. It is part boutique hotel, part Aeolian farmhouse, set on the edge of a volcanic landscape, and as a family house turned hotel its welcome still feels domestic. White walls and simple traditional furniture keep the rooms calm and bright; categories run from Superior and Deluxe rooms to suites and villa suites. The kitchen is the draw. Martina Caruso leads the gourmet restaurant, which holds a MICHELIN distinction, cooking with ancient grains, extra-virgin oil, local fish and produce from the garden, and a bistro offers a lighter menu alongside. The Salus per Aquam spa uses the island's geothermal waters and the scent of lemons in its treatments, so there is no need to go looking for the hot springs elsewhere. Staff arrange sailing, diving and cooking classes, and Vespas for exploring the island. The hotel opens for the season from March to October.
- Rooms
- 30 rooms and suites
Insider tip Hire a Vespa through the hotel and explore Salina on two wheels at your own pace.
Why I choose it It shows Salina at its most authentic, with a family welcome and some of the most interesting cooking in the Aeolian Islands.