Doric Eco Boutique Resort & Spa - Sicily

The Doric Eco Boutique Resort & Spa offers a truly memorable escape, distinguished by its private pools with breathtaking temple views, which provide an unparalleled sense of luxury and tranquility. Guests consistently highlight the exceptional staff, stunning panoramic views, gourmet dining, eco-luxury design, and beautifully maintained gardens as standout features. This resort is an ideal fit for couples seeking a romantic and serene getaway, luxury travelers desiring a pampered experience, and sightseers looking for convenient access to historical sites while enjoying a peaceful retreat. It also caters well to those prioritizing peace and relaxation in a tranquil countryside setting. To fully appreciate the resort's magic, guests are encouraged to book longer stays and explore the unique spa services, ensuring a deeply immersive and rejuvenating visit.

Facilities & Amenities
The resort offers a range of impressive facilities designed for relaxation and enjoyment. Many rooms and suites feature private pools, providing an exclusive and intimate experience, often with stunning views. The main outdoor pool is large and inviting, equipped with ample loungers and umbrellas, and includes a convenient swim-up bar. For wellness, there is a spa area, described as small but private, offering a jacuzzi, Turkish bath, and a sauna, though some guests reported issues with the heating of the jacuzzi and sauna. A fitness center is available, though some found it basic with minor equipment issues. Guests appreciate the complimentary granita machine and the convenience of free Wi-Fi. The extensive gardens are immaculately maintained, filled with aromatic plants, fruit trees, and vineyards, reflecting the hotel's eco-friendly commitment. Transportation around the expansive grounds is made easy with golf carts.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the spotless cleanliness of the rooms and the overall property. The accommodations are described as modern, new, and well-provisioned, with an elegant, minimalist design often featuring white and lucite elements. While some found the rooms to be compact, many highlighted their spaciousness and the presence of private outdoor shaded sitting areas. Comfortable beds and high-quality linens contribute to a restful night's sleep, though one guest noted their bed was on wheels, which was disconcerting. Spacious bathrooms are equipped with luxurious Ortigia products and often feature unique jacuzzi tubs, some with futuristic clear sides, though a few guests experienced issues with their functionality or heating. Showers, while having multiple jets, were occasionally problematic with drainage, leading to bathroom flooding. Despite minor concerns, the rooms are generally quiet, ensuring a peaceful stay.

Dining & Food Quality
The resort's dining experience receives widespread acclaim. The breakfast buffet is consistently described as excellent, extensive, and one of the best many guests have encountered, offering a wide variety of options including fresh fruits, cheeses, cold meats, and made-to-order omelettes. Guests particularly enjoy the fresh juices, homemade marmalade, and Sicilian pastries. Dinner at the on-site restaurant is frequently lauded as gourmet and exceptional, featuring beautifully presented dishes crafted with high-quality local ingredients, many sourced directly from the hotel's gardens. While some guests found the dinner and lunch to be expensive with small portions, many others considered it well worth the price for the refined flavors and the atmospheric outdoor seating with stunning views. Room service is also available, with staff noted for their obliging service.

Location & Accessibility
The resort boasts an excellent and strategic location, offering a tranquil countryside setting while being remarkably close to key attractions. It provides breathtaking views of the Valley of the Temples, particularly the Temple of Juno, which can be seen from many rooms, the main pool, and dining areas. The Valley of the Temples is just a short five to ten-minute drive away, making it an ideal base for sightseers. The town of Agrigento is also conveniently accessible within a ten-minute drive. Guests appreciate the easy and free parking available on-site, noting the hotel's well-secured, gated entrance. Due to its peaceful, slightly secluded position outside the city, guests are advised that transportation is essential for exploring the surrounding area.

Staff & Service
The staff at the resort consistently receive glowing reviews for their exceptional service and warm hospitality. Guests frequently highlight their professionalism, attentiveness, and friendliness, noting that everyone goes above and beyond to make visitors feel welcome and cared for, often making them feel like family. The check-in process is smooth, and staff are highly responsive and accommodating to requests, even preparing "to-go" breakfast boxes for early departures or offering special anniversary surprises. Specific mentions include helpful front desk personnel, attentive restaurant staff, and professional masseuses. The resort's commitment to guest satisfaction is evident in their quick resolution of issues, such as a laundry mix-up, which was handled with sincere apologies and complimentary gestures.

Additional Information
The resort prides itself on its strong eco-friendly commitment and sustainability efforts, evident in its eco-luxury design, the use of renewable energy, and the cultivation of its own gardens, which supply fresh herbs, fruits, and produce for the kitchen. Guests are often given a tour of the property, highlighting these practices. A unique aspect mentioned by several guests is the hotel's policy regarding toilet paper, advising disposal in the trash rather than flushing, which some international visitors found surprising. While the hotel offers a pet-friendly policy, some guests with medium-sized dogs initially faced challenges with room assignments, though staff ultimately welcomed their pets. Some guests noted a policy against bringing outside food or drinks onto the premises, which, combined with the hotel's higher prices for on-site consumption, was a point of contention for a few.