The Therasia Resort Sea & Spa, 5-star hotel member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, is located on the island of Vulcano in the heart of the Aeolian archipelago off the coast of Sicily in Italy.
Porto di Levante
To reach the hotel, you have to fly to Catania. Then get to Milazzo in northern Sicily. Then you can reach the island of Vulcano by helicopter or by boat from Milazzo. Upon arrival at the port of Vulcano, the charm works : here, time seems to stand still. A free shuttle will take you in few minutes north of the island where the hotel is located.
Arrival at the hotel
The change of scenery is complete. Surrounded by lush vegetation and black sand beaches, the hotel overlooks the Mediterranean sea, islands and rocks outcropping sea. The calm is absolutely incredible.
Therasia Resort & Spa
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- Lobby lounge
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- Terrace lounge
Lipari island facing the Therasia resort
View over the Stromboli
The Room
As for the hotel architecture, the room echoes the exterior naturalness. Local crafts are key elements of decoration.
The bathroom is tiled with mosaics of brilliant blue. The sink is inserted into the volcanic rock.
The room is decorated in soft, warm colors leaving the spotlight to the blue of the sky and the sea. The authenticity of materials blends harmoniously with all the amenities one could expect from a prestigious property : 2 meters bed, large flat screen, desk, free minibar, dressing with flip flops, slippers and branded beach bag…
Depending on the orientation of the room, it opens onto a terrace facing either the gardens or the pool and the sea. Ours overlooked the sea and pool with stunning views of spectacular sunsets.
The room is serviced a second time in the evening while you live a magical moment in one of the resort restaurants… This is what we will find out later…
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- Bathroom – Classic Room
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- Bed – Classic Room
Sunset view
Catering
Breakfast is always a great time when you stay at the hotel.
Here at the Therasia Resort, this special time meets all the requirements to start a perfect day : abundance, quality and an amazing view!
Breakfast comes in the form of a buffet. The quality is impressive, the products are homemade or from local producers : not less than thirty honeys and jams, seven varieties of milk, a dozen cakes and pies, pastries, breads, cold cut and cheeses of the country, savory compositions such as the famous Sicilian salad made from finely chopped orange slices, small red onion and capers (delicious), full or sliced fruit, yogurts, cereals, fresh fruit juices and even champagne!
Pancakes and cooked eggs are available on request. You will also have the opportunity to taste typical regional specialty made with iced coffee, granite and foamy cream that is eaten by dipping the bun.
And all this while enjoying the scenery, just to realize that you were not dreaming, that the images of the day before were real and not a figment of your imagination!
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- Breakfast
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- 7 types of milks
Breakfast with a view
The hotel offers three restaurants with a view over the sea and the Aeolian Islands : I Grusoni, L’Arcipelago and the famous Michelin starred Il Cappero.
At lunchtime, it is very nice to have a salad or a grill made of the catch of the day at I Grusoni. You’ll have the opportunity to taste lobster or delicious pizza.
In the evening, L’Arcipelago features a generous starters buffet with the colors of the sun. Then you can choose a meat or fish of the day. The swordfish steak is delicious. Finally, the desserts can be chosen among the pastry creations of pastry chef of three restaurants that will serve you personally. His tiramisu is excellent!
I Grusoni Restaurant
The best of Therasia Resort cuisine is Il Cappero. This gourmet restaurant that received a Michelin star is like no other. “Luxury, peace and pleasure” as Baudelaire wrote could have been written for this place.
Everything is right : the surrounding nature sublimated by the sunsets, the attention to detail always in line with local crafts that can be found in the decor and dishes and Sicilian cuisine revisited with audacity and thoroughness.
Direct view over the islands from Il Cappero
We were treated like royalties and had the privilege to have our dinner at the Chef’s table, best place to see the work of Chef Giuseppe Biuso and his team through the windows of the kitchen.
It was an opportunity to discover the culinary specialties of Sicily : a solar kitchen, usually based on the catch of the day.
Restaurant open kitchen
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- Bread sticks
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- Starter
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- Pasta
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- Gastronomic preparation
Perfect lemon imitation : sour cream coated in white chocolate
Dining at Il Cappero is a must during your stay at the Therasia. Due to the intimate size of the restaurant, it is recommended to reserve your table.
For us, this moment will live long in our memories, both for the taste of the meals and the the pleasure of the eyes. A magical moment out of time.
The most romantic dinner in Sicily
Activities
Vulcano is known for its natural treatments. On the island, close to the Porto di Levante, you can take mud baths rich in minerals in a natural crevice.
If you prefer to relax more comfortably, you’ll be pleased to know that the hotel has a complete spa : sauna, steam room, sensory showers, treatment rooms and large indoor heated pool and whirlpool with swan necks.
Here as well, the stones from the island are an integral part of the decor.
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- Sauna
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- Whirlpool
All around the Therasia, you have the opportunity to sunbathe on comfortable sunbeds scattered throughout the different natural terraces of the hotel gardens, always with beautiful backgrounds.
The outdoor infinity pool of the hotel gives the feeling of swimming to infinity.
Pool with direct view over Lipari island
Infinite view
…And the breathtaking sunsets!
Sunset from the pool
If you want to relax in the black sand, 3 private beaches are easily reachable from the hotel : Asino beach, Sabbienere beach and Acque Calde.
As the hotel is kind of paradise, you will certainly not want to leave it even if only to go walking in the area.
But we can only advise you to visit the rest of the island. It is so simple to book a quad bike, a scooter, a Mini Moke or even a Jeep to go exploring. The local rental company, Paolo, will bring your car to the hotel and then pick it back.
We opted for the quad to explore the wild beauty of the island where we crossed buffaloes, goats and many observation points with a fabulous view!
If you feel the urge to discover the wild beauty of the island by the sea, you can rent a boat.
For our next visit, we will attempt the walk to the volcano. The crater is reachable after a walk of about 40 minutes. The trail begins near the Porto di Levante that can be reached with the shuttle bus that leaves every hour from the hotel.
The main vulcano in the island
Wild nature in the countryside
Italian coast line
Capo Grillo
Valle dei Mostri
Sun decks in the garden
Conclusion
We will keep for a long time in our memory this fabulous stay at Therasia Resort & Spa. This few days stay was the opportunity to enjoy a change of scenery. It’s a real privilege to stay in this hotel with its unique landscapes!
The hotel staff is friendly and ready to assist. You will quickly be familiar with the different faces that you will see every day around the pool, in the restaurants and the lobby.
The Therasia offers natural beauty, so soothing and grandiose at once, where the gaze rests serenely towards infinity while the feet are on the ground volcanoes.
Every evening, a different sunset