If you’re dreaming of Sicily and want some wellness with your getaway, then look no further than Kapuhala Sicily, located near Noto and Marzamemi in the southeast corner of the Italian island.
Kapuhala Sicily was created as a sustainable, wellness-focused resort by chef Crystal Lee and her husband, Stefano Passarello, whose father is from the area. Crystal is originally from Hong Kong but trained in Milan to be a chef.
“We’d been going to Sicily for 20 years and absolutely love it,” Crystal says. “When the resources and land became available, we decided to build something there.”
Kapuhala Sicily debuted in June 2020, almost a year after the couple opened Kapuhala Koh Samui, an eco-friendly resort in Thailand. They divide their time between the two properties. Kapuhala means “holy tree” in Hawaiian.
“Ahhhhhh”–What to Expect When You Visit Kapuhala Sicily
If you’re visiting Sicily for Kapuhala Sicily, you’ll make your way through the countryside of the Valle di Noto region–an area Crystal describes as famous for its natural beauty, olive groves, and traditional Sicilian heritage.
Upon driving up to the resort, you’ll find 60 acres of vineyards, olive groves, and organic gardens–with much of the food served at the resort grown onsite or sourced from local farmers. The owners of Kapuhala Sicily also were able to revitalize 300 trees that would have otherwise been uncultivated.
Kapuhala Sicily can accommodate up to 30 guests in total in small individual homes and in buildings once used for wine-making; most of the places to stay there can host up to four people at a time. Each unit has a private bathroom, and some units have kitchenettes.
Kapuhala Sicily focuses on sustainability, wellness, heritage architecture, and plant-based cuisine. It also follows many of the “blue zone” principles for living longer and staying healthy. Sardinia, another island in Italy, happens to be one of the world’s blue zones, and one area of Sicily is considered an emerging blue zone.
Italy is already famous for its cuisine–it was just recognized by UNESCO this December–yet Kapuhala Resort takes plant-based cuisine to another level. How about spaghetti with Sicilian curry, tenerumi (a summer squash-like vegetable in Sicily) and tomato confit? Si, per favore! With some of the dishes, you may be fooled into thinking you’re eating the traditional meat version, only to realize the vegan option is just as tasty.
In addition to the great food, there’s lots more to enjoy at Kapuhala Sicily, including:
–Wine tastings
–A pool
–A botanic yoga studio
–Sunset views
–Nature walks
–Doing absolutely nothing!
–Day trips just a short drive away, like Noto (famous for its baroque architecture–see our article here), Marzamemi (a former fishing village that’s popular to visit), and nearby beaches
Yet there’s nothing wrong with just enjoying your time at Kapuhala.
“Kapuhala Sicily isn’t just a hotel but a lifestyle-oriented retreat. It’s a place designed for people who value sustainable living, plant-based food, mindful living, nature, and authentic local heritage,” Crystal says.
It’s also considered a “heritage farmstay” because guests have the chance to connect with the land and rural Sicilian traditions.
7 Tips to Plan Your Visit to Kapuhala Siciliy
If you’re hopping on your favorite travel website right now to book your stay at Kapuhala Sicily, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
—Plan to rent a car while you’re in the area. There’s not much public transportation.
—Slow wayyyyyyy down. Keep your type A side tucked away in your suitcase while you’re vacationing, both in SIcily in general but also specifically at Kapuhala. “It’s about relaxation, wellness, a connection with nature, and simplicity,” Crystal explains.
—Stay open to vegan cuisine. You may be surprised by how much you like it!
—Bring comfortable shoes. It’s hard to get around the countryside in high heels, Crystal says.
—Plan your local trips to include beach visits, local historical towns and the countryside. Crystal calls this a “balanced Sicily experience.” Staying for a few days in the area gives you a better chance to get to know the resort’s part of Sicily without feeling rushed.
—Check online to make sure the resort will be open before you book. Like many other accomodations in the area, Kapuhala Sicily is generally open from April to the end of September, which is the main tourism season for Sicily.
—Staying elsewhere in Sicily but still want to check out Kapuhala? You can visit their restaurant, Vivi Vinu, for an apertivo or dinner.
Buon viaggio!
Italy Dreams 