Masseria Susafa

There are places designed to offer a true refuge for the soul. Places offering real peace, where the rhythms of rural life and pastoral visions are in harmony. Places where time passes slowly, nourished by flavours, fragrances and peace.

You’re at Susafa, an old farmhouse, now a countryside retreat. Staying with us will make you feel connected to Sicily’s soul, made up of invigorating colours and fragrances, centuries-old traditions and customs.

Here, nature is celebrated: quiet spaces to relax, seasonal ingredients served at the table every day, homemade bread paired with Susafa Olive Oil, the natural blue of the swimming pool set in a green Mediterranean oasis, walks through fields of grain, and the authentic sounds of nature.

Susafa is the result of the dedication of the Saeli-Rizzuto family, owners and agricultural entrepreneurs for five generations, committed to passing their fascinating rural culture down the ages.

Today, with especial care Manfredi Rizzuto welcomes his guests to an immersive experience of country life, in a carefully balanced, comfortable setting at a fascinating boutique hotel, far from the austerity of the past.

The large farmhouse, with its imposing storehouses, stands today as an important witness to agricultural construction skills, with the capabilities and quality of the farm’s production being a living example of a period characterised by the region’s economic growth.

Susafa is an all-round celebration of nature and the idea of environmental sustainability. Stay with us to experience Sicily’s authentic soul, a colourful, richly fragranced setting, with centuries-old traditions and celebrations.

Susafa is the result of the wishes of five generations of farmers and entrepreneurs of the Saeli-Rizzuto family, to preserve and reinvigorate the glorious past of their rural culture. In 2008, Manfredi took on a new project, planning to share with his guests the oldest traditions and ideas of their history-rich family.

His characteristic determination and passion enabled him to develop a new way of telling the story, centred around an experience of well-being and total relaxation, incorporating modern comforts and without compromising authenticity.

Susafa’s staff is always ready and willing to convey the spirit and feeling passed down the generations of a family so deeply embedded in the region, helping you to explore the magic of Susafa.

Manfredi’s creativity combined with his love for design is visible in the details of the interiors that wisely blend the past with a contemporary style. His passion for the kitchen, together with a reinterpretation of Sicilian tradition through locally-grown raw materials, is evident in every aspect of the restoration.

Years of development and dedication have made Susafa recognised as a centre of excellence in the region, combining sustainability with luxury service. Attention to the needs of the modern traveller, and the international standards of hotel tourism, is demonstrated through the regular addition of new features, essential to express contemporary comfort in a traditional setting.

DELUXE SUITE
The elegant, light-filled Deluxe Suite is the most exclusive room at our small luxury hotel. A fully refurbished suite devoted to well-being, with a spacious bathroom area, complete with sauna, walk-in shower and bath. Pastoral bliss awaits you in this Sicilian farmhouse, with swimming pool and restaurant, transformed into a boutique haven, celebrating the beauties of nature.

Originally, this area was the armoury, combined with the hen house. Today, the Deluxe Suite is a small oasis in the heart of the Palermo countryside, for a truly special stay with the person you love.

The large king size bed, 200×200cm, ensures the best possible quality of sleep, in the matchless peace of the countryside, which you can enjoy in the total privacy of your garden.

The general atmosphere is one of warmth: the flowered wallpaper gives a contemporary touch, softening the stone walls and ceiling, solid and reassuring as an embrace. This relaxing atmosphere is complemented by a restrained, chic design, making you simply feel good.

Susafa celebrates sustainability: every feature of the rooms and suites is designed to respect nature. A perfect getaway for a couple, as well as for a peaceful break with friends, far from the bustle of daily life.

JUNIOR SUITE
Two of the five Junior Suites are laid out on two levels: a living space with sofa bed on the ground floor, and the bedroom on the mezzanine. The other Junior Suites are on one level, and have a private outdoor space.

This accommodation, modern, comfortable and beautifully designed, is the result of the restoration of former dwellings for the dairy master, the winemaker and the groom at the old Susafa farm. The Junior Suites are reached via steps, enjoying a splendid view of the garden.

The Junior Suites have king size beds, 180×200cm, original furnishings in 19th century Sicilian style, or made specially for Susafa by local craftworkers. No detail is left to chance: every corner, every object or item of furniture tells a story, perfectly matching the style of our charming boutique hotel in the Palermo countryside.

SUPERIOR ROOM
Susafa’s Superior Double rooms are located in the former accommodation for the farmworkers: the sharecroppers, cheesemaker and baker. The accommodation is reached via steps, and arranged on one floor, overlooking the garden.

The Superior Doubles are a perfect getaway for a couple to escape from the city. The all-embracing natural world can be seen from the wide glazed doors and windows; the restrained, simple furnishings are characterised by the neutral colours and touches of Sicily, with some 19th century pieces, or matching items made by local craftworkers.

The king size 180×200cm bed and goose feather pillows ensure a comfortable rest, in the peace and quiet of the countryside.

DINING
The flavours at Susafa are inspired above all by rural culture, a call to return to our origins, to good food, to seasonal values and rhythms which still define every harvest and crop.

Such as wild fennel, only available for a brief period in the year, or green vegetables such as spinach or chard. Our organic oil, which blends with all the flavours, along with the oven-fresh bread, made with care using traditional methods.

Then there’s the chef, with whom you can take a walk in the garden and chat about the evening menu, highlighting the characteristic produce from the culinary tradition, reinterpreted for today. Finally, there are the places for food, today’s restaurant located in what was once the old granary.

Here, within stout stone walls, the atmosphere has the warmth of long memory, but with a subtle, contemporary note, while the emotions are warmed by the hearth, and aromas waft beneath the broad vault of the roof.

THE RESTAURANT
The place is austere but evocative. Stone walls, Sicilian terracotta floor, historic remnants of furniture and decorative articles, and quiet, warm lighting provide a truly unique ambience.

There is a menu à la carte, with a noted preference for regional dishes. Seasonal ingredients and local or home-produced products. The wine list includes some of the best of Sicilian choices, as well as a small selection of the most famous traditional products of the country.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN
Caring for a garden means being in harmony with tradition. Tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, aubergine, peppers, onions, potatoes and many other delicacies, are used in the chef’s recipes, and served at the table.

Susafa’s kitchen garden is tended daily with expert attention from Calogero, joined sometimes in the fields by the chef, who personally gathers the herbs and flavourings, to enhance his dishes with special notes. He can always be found in the kitchen or the garden, his natural environment. Guaranteed fresh and authentic, at all times.

THE AROMATIC HERB GARDEN
All the dishes are enhanced by the aromatic herbs growing in our small Mediterranean plot. Vibrant tones and genuine flavours are only possible using real ingredients, so the area devoted to them in the garden is the place to discover and smell them all.

Thyme, marjoram, sage, rosemary, tarragon, camomile, basil, parsley, mint, wild rocket, dill, lemon balm, young garlic, you can enjoy finding all the scents for yourself.

THE ORCHARD
For a rich and diverse orchard, we sought out indigenous species and reintroduced old varieties of Madonie fruits, more natural and better suited to the region. This means that these plants are by far the most resistant to possible diseases. Natural cultivation is an inevitable result of this choice.

THE BAR
Have a drink in the old wine-pressing area. This is a place to enjoy the experience of sipping a glass of wine within the walls where it was once produced, intended only for the household and not for sale, then distributed to the workers who gathered at the farmhouse every week to collect supplies.

Today, within the wine bar, we take you on a journey through the Sicilian wine tradition, as well as the liqueurs such as Passito, Moscato, Malvasia or Marsala. A comfortable, intimate living space is the perfect spot for moments devoted to reading in front of the fireplace on the coldest days.

ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
Live unique and unforgettable experiences with us: you can choose from a vast range of activities to experience relaxing, fun and carefree moments. Taking a breath, the calm air filling your lungs, the smells of the kitchen once in a while, this is the spirit which pervades Susafa and its guests. Immersed in our way of experiencing nature.

FOOD & WINE
Quality raw materials cultivated in the natural way, are the key to Susafa’s entire philosophy for everything regarding Food & Wine. Live “According to Nature”, and nourish your loved ones and yourself. All the cookery classes are included in the room rates, depending on availability. The cookery classes last about one hour. Booking is required.

COOKERY CLASS ON PASTRY
Delve into the world of patisserie! All you need are a few ingredients, such as the flour which comes directly from Susafa’s wheatfields, to discover the secrets of shortcrust pastry. Alongside our chef, prepare exquisite tarts using our homemade jam. Class held on Mondays

COOKERY CLASS ON SICILIAN CANNOLI 
Take the opportunity to learn all the secrets of this traditional sweet which embodies the essence of Sicily. Alongside Rita, you will enjoy learning how to make the majestic Sicilian cannolo.

SICILIAN WINE TASTING
Explore the varied Sicilian regions through their wine. Together we will taste some Sicilian wines from different parts of the island. The wines will be accompanied by tastings of some local products, and a discussion about their history and provenance.

PICNIC UNDER THE TREES
Enjoy a picnic under the cherry trees, with a breath-taking view! Discover the flora and fauna of Susafa. After a leisurely walk, relax into nature.

APERITIFS IN THE FIELD
Enjoy the light of the setting sun in the wheatfield, while sipping one of our cocktails accompanied by some finger food… What could be more evocative and immersive?

ROMANTIC DINNERS
A wonderful dinner, in the countryside beneath the starry sky and surrounded by the green embrace of a carob tree, or in our romantic and elegant restaurant. Tables laid with long white cloths and candles. Simple, authentic cooking, dishes made with ingredients gathered on the farm, and so full of flavour.

MOON & STAR-GAZING 
Lose yourself in the moment, with this multi-sensory experience. You will enjoy the sounds of nature and the colours of night, with a drink alongside; only wheatfields around you, in the beautiful light of the stars, scattered like jewels across the night sky.

WELLBEING
Take control of the primary action of your life. Get back in touch with the deepest part of yourself. Be aware of the real rhythms of your body, and pamper yourself in special moments of pure relaxation.

SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
From every point of view, Susafa is a synonym for authenticity, from its food to its sense of community, good living and proper sustainability. Try your hand at being a modern farmer: it will allow you to understand fully Susafa’s vision of Nature.

An all-embracing experience awaits you, savouring to the full the pleasure of discovering the flavours and values of the land and of working in harmony with the seasons, at an old farmhouse in the heart of the Sicilian countryside.

A FEAST OF CHERRIES 
You will be welcomed with one of our cocktails created with Susafa cherries. The next day, after breakfast, start with a walk to our cherry orchard on the hills of Susafa.

You can enjoy a delicious lunch in the picnic area. In the afternoon, you will learn all the secrets of the cherry harvest, with a special lesson on pastry-making, using cherry jam and pies. Relax with a cherry oil and cherry stones treatment.

A SEA OF WHEAT
You will be welcomed with one of our signature cocktails. The next day, get ready for an outing, walking through the golden wheat fields. You will hear about the changes to harvesting over the years.

An enchanting setting is laid out for you at lunch time. On the last day, there is a cookery class on making fresh bread. In the afternoon, relax with a massage to stimulate the circulation and relieve everyday stress.

HARVESTING TOMATOES 
You will be greeted by one of our cocktails, created with the perfumes of our garden. The next day, after breakfast, you will explore our kitchen garden, gathering tomatoes and enjoying all the various scents, with our farmer.

The visit is followed by a whole day of cookery lessons all about tomatoes, with lunch, prepared from typical Sicilian tomato-based dishes. On the last day, you will relax with a massage to regenerate body and mind.

THE REGION
Susafa is an oasis, set amid the rural hills of western Sicily. Sicily is a big place, and offers other popular destinations such as Palermo or Cefalù, along with some that are less well-known, but just as charming, beguiling and captivating.

Daring to venture into the centre of the island, following the line of the Madonie, is a truly exciting experience. At Susafa, we offer you days out which will give you the opportunity to explore some really beautiful places, just a short distance from our boutique hotel.

THE VILLAGES OF THE MADONIE 
If you would like to spend a peaceful day in the neighborhood, we suggest you visit the “Parco delle Madonie” and its scenic surrounding countryside. We suggest starting with the town farthest away (Gangi) and then making your way back while visiting the other towns listed.

At the entrance of the village follow the road until the deviation on the left to reach the highest point Petralia Soprana (upper town), a little medieval village. We recommend visiting the church of “Santa Maria di Loreto” for its spectacular view and the “Chiesa Matrice”.

A special suggestion for your lunch break is the trattoria “Da Salvatore”, a certified slow food destination (tuesday closed). Petralia Sottana (lower town) is the newer village where you can stop to see the cathedral. Between Petralia Sottana and Polizzi Generosa you will pass the town of Castellana Sicula.

If you are a chocolate lover or an ice-cream lover, we suggest that you try “Ferruzza”, a master chocolatier. You will find the shop on the main road, on the right hand side. Polizzi Generosa is famous for its beautiful churches and the view of the highest peaks of the Madonie mountains. You will find the deviation after Castellana Sicula, on your right.

CEFALU’
One of the most beautiful towns in Sicily. Cefalù is a medieval fisherman village on the coast between Palermo and Messina. Once you arrive in the town, follow the main road (via Roma) to the first roundabout and turn left until the seaside.

PIAZZA ARMERINA & VILLA DEL CASALE 
The roman mosaic town Villa del Casale is a Roman villa which represents one of the biggest and best preserved roman mosaic surfaces in the world. In 1997 with its 3500 mq of mosaics, became a UNESCO world heritage site.

Rooms: 18

Price: from 314 EUR per night

Source: www.susafa.com