Entire home·Private host

18th Century Palazzo, Stylish, Spectacular Views, Concierge Service

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Outdoor dining
2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, WiFi
Point of interest
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathrooms200 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Modica, RG
  • Cathedral of San Giorgio
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Corso Umberto I
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Chocolate Museum of Modica
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Comiso (CIY-Vincenzo Magliocco)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

18th Century Palazzo, Stylish, Spectacular Views, Concierge Service

Palazzetto Polara, the little palace, is the wing of the most famous aristocratic Palazzo in Modica, Palazzo Polara. To fully understand the importance of the Polara family one has to just look at its neighbor, San Giorgio Cathedral. Only the most important of families could claim such close proximity to a cathedral.

San Giorgio Cathedral is considered par excellence the most important Baroque church in Sicily. From the balcony and the terrace of Palazzetto Polara behold both the spectacular view of the city of Modica and the Cathedral itself.

Now featuring internet super high speed wifi fiber optic service.

In addition to the magnificent settings, Palazzetto Polara also offers concierge service as part of the weekly rental fee.*

To see reviews please follow this link: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/modica/1431803

Why visit Sicily? See the UK's The Telegraph article at:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/travel/10-reasons-why-sicily-should-be-your-next-family-holiday/ar-AAvYgMH?ocid=spartandhp

To reach Palazzetto Polara one takes the stairs to the left of San Giorgio Cathedral and from there steps into the wondrous charm of the private and enclosed spacious courtyard. The courtyard features an alfresco dining area with table and chairs shaded with a sun canopy for hot days with plants climbing the age old walls lending a cool air as one steps into the Palazzo.

The entry hall is majestic with a 4 meter ceiling looking up into the important staircase inlaid with hand carved stone, the steps themselves are in the local precious stone called pece, which contains tar giving it its dark hue and comes from the neighboring area of Ragusa. An 18th century wrought iron chandelier hangs proudly setting off the coral colored walls.

To the right of the entry hall is the generous kitchen fitted out with everything you could possibly need for when you decide to cook at home. Appliances are all of top quality with a large refrigerator, a 5 burner gas stove with an extra-large oven, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, and toaster. Marble counter top on the main working space and a lovely fresco detail of a lemon tree lends an authentic touch to the room.

Still on the ground floor is a fully equipped bathroom featuring local tiles in a colorful pattern, walk in shower, toilet, and large sink and space for your toiletries.

Upstairs are the 2 bedrooms, another bathroom and the frescoed living room. From upstairs one accesses the terrace and the balcony.

Bedroom number 1 has a king sized bed, plenty of drawer space and entrance to the terrace.

Bedroom number 2 has a king bed too but can be opened up into twin beds if required. This room has a spacious closet and drawer space and also opens onto the terrace. Both bedrooms have air conditioning.

The upstairs bathroom features colored tiles and has a walk in shower, bidet, toilet and sink. Plenty of space to lay out your toiletries too.

The terrace is a delight with views over San Giorgio Cathedral. Relaxing wicker armchairs and a large sun umbrella will provide a space in which to relax and breathe in the atmosphere of Palazzetto Polara
.
The living room is a grandiose room set off by the original frescoed ceiling that was restored during the renovations. The room has plenty of corners to sit and relax in together or on your own. The furnishings are a mix of traditional and antiques. Comfortable table lamps will provide fantastic lighting for atmosphere or reading.

From the living room’s french doors be prepared for a spellbinding view of Modica town.

*Concierge Services
Concierge Service will assist on arranging any pre arrival necessities such as car services, guides restaurant bookings or simply answering any questions you may have.
In order to meet our guests upon arrival we will need to know your arrival time, this will be part of the pre arrival information, once then on the ground a quick phone check in to update any potential changes in schedule.
Our concierge will meet you at the Palazzetto, present the keys and show you around the house and explain where things are. A booklet on the house will also be on hand for your reference.
Upon arrival you will be also be provided information on any upcoming local events, concerts, festivals, plus visiting hours of monuments and churches.

Once in Modica it is up to you to decide if you would like some guidance on things and places to do or local spots to have a drink or a meal at. If so simply call the Concierge.
During your stay at this holiday home, you're just a quick walk from Cathedral of San Giorgio. Concierge services and laundry facilities are available. Enjoy your stay with amenities like a kitchen and 2 bathrooms in the holiday home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine and 2 bathrooms
  • Services include a concierge and limo or town car service
  • Steps from Cathedral of San Giorgio and 2 minutes on foot from Corso Umberto I
18th Century Palazzo, Stylish, Spectacular Views, Concierge Service offers its guests concierge services, laundry facilities, and limo service. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property manager

Owner

Languages

English, French, Italian, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Limo/town car service
  • Car available
  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Stereo
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Fenced yard

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • In the city centre
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Property does not allow children

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • This property does not allow children.
  • Note from host: Not suitable for children

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.
Property Registration Number IT088006C23DQE6BXU

We should mention

  • All guests (including children) need to be present at check-in to show their government-issued photo ID or passport.
  • On-site cash transactions can't exceed EUR 5000, due to national regulations. For more details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.

18th Century Palazzo, Stylish, Spectacular Views, Concierge Service Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 23 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jess S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing stay at stunning property

We had an absolutely fantastic week at Rosalie’s stunning property in the heart of Modica. The decor, setting and the ambience of the property is unrivalled. It is one of the best places we have ever stayed.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Danni B.

Liked: Cleanliness

A special place

Staying at Rosalie's place was the high- light of our two weeks in Sicily. The location of the Palazzo is incredilbe- right in the centre of Modica, next to the Duomo di San Giorgo , you can hear its choir sing sitting on the terrace, it is magical; it is very central, you can walk everywhere. The Palazzo itself is a beautifully restored, historical building- it felt very special staying in it. You can tell this is someones cherished home, filled with beautiful furniture, personal touches and details. It is equipped with everything you need and more; the kitchen a joy to cook in, which we did several times. We did go out and explore Modica, but were always happy to return 'home ' in good time to sit on the terrace or enjoy the sprawling view of the city from the living- room at night. Communication with Rosalie was excellent, her list of recommendations for restaurarants, cafes, shops et al invaluable, Lorenzo on hand for any questions and help. We highly recommend visiting, it is a truly special place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jackie H., Addingham, Ilkley

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing stay in a wonderful old palazzetto

We loved our stay here in this beautiful historic Palazzetto next to the duomo. It’s very traditional but with all mod cons ie dishwasher, air con, walk in showers. We watched the world go by from our balconies and ate breakfast in the downstairs shady courtyard. Yes there are a lot of steps & yes the bells ring, but there are ways of avoiding some of the steps by wandering along the streets to make your way down to Corso Umberto & the bells don’t ring often, in fact they add to the charm. For the more energetic, wander further up Modica Alta to the Tuesday fruit & veg market with the locals & Pizzo Belvedere viewpoint over the town.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Spectacular Views

Rosalie’s home is lovely! We appreciated all of the small details and enjoyed our time there so much. The concierge, Lorenzo, was kind, patient, responsive and wonderful to meet. The location is amazing and we walked everywhere. We loved all of the outdoor spaces and the spectacular views. We especially appreciated Rosalie’s responsiveness and personal efforts to welcome us and check in with us about our stay. We had a lovely time.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

William F., Los Angeles, CA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

We loved our stay

The house (palazzo), its history are amazing. The location is central and to hear the bells toll at 8pm is truly special. The accommodations are quite comfortable although as spoiled Americans we might have wished for longer hot showers. Any suggestions for improvement are offered in this spirit. The kitchen could benefit from a bit more light and, at least in the early part of the month of May, was quite cold.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

nancy g.

Liked: Cleanliness

Extroardinary accomodatio

We loved this place. Very elegant and roomy. Stunning views. Great kitchen. Lots of outdoor space too for dining and contemplation. Lorenzo was always immediately available for advice and information. If it is available, take it! Must be able to climb a few steps. But you will be next to a magnificent cathedral.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy J.

Liked: Cleanliness

A true palace!

We've stayed in dozens of properties and this is by far the most amazing. You are literally feet away from the most famous Baroque church in the area (San Giorgio) while staying in a true palace - all to yourself! The concierge available is also an incredible font of knowledge, I called and texted him throughout each day asking for recommendations in the area and he always responded quickly. While the property is a bit more expensive than others, it is well worth it. We will certainly be staying here again in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison R., Park City, UT, U.S.A.

Extraordinary!

We spent eight glorious days at Palazzetto Polara and the consensus opinion of our group is that there simply aren't enough superlatives to describe this Baroque beauty or its owner, Rosalie. My husband and I have stayed with friends in vacation rental properties throughout Europe and the United States, and we consider Palazzetto Polara to be in class by itself. Walking into this historic treasure, the four of us were immediately impressed by the sensitive approach to its renovation, as it lacked neither in character and charm nor in modern comforts and conveniences. The inviting kitchen was extremely spacious and the pantry, drawers and cabinets were brimming with lovely dishes, glassware, utensils, serving pieces, etc. With such a well-equipped kitchen, we were inspired to prepare our own meals, dining al fresco in the courtyard and taking morning coffee and evening cocktails on the terrace. The bedrooms are lovely, light-filled and well-furnished, and we found the beds to be extremely comfortable, owing in part to the soft and sumptuous bed linens--one of the many little luxuries we noted throughout the Palazzetto. We appreciated that each bedroom had its own entrance to the terrace, which allowed us to come and go without disturbing each other. The bedrooms are also equipped with HVAC units, but the weather was such that we never had need of them. Both bathrooms in the Palazzetto are modern and elegant in their design and functioned flawlessly during our stay. And Rosalie kindly provided small heaters for the bathrooms in case the temperature dropped and the tiles became too cold underfoot. (An example of her desire to attend to her guests' every need, which is also why she engages a local concierge.) With its frescoed ceiling, exquisite furnishings, and balcony overlooking the Duomo of San Giorgio, the salon is the crown in the jewel that is Palazzetto Polara. We idled away many happy hours in this room, listening to the church bells and other vibrant sounds from the streets below and being covert audience to gatherings and celebrations, including a baptism, wedding and the state visit of Prince Albert II. The salon is also where we planned day trips to other parts of Ragusa aided by the library of excellent guidebooks Rosalie collected for her guests. And while we did venture out of Modica, we always looked forward to returning to our Little Palace. Thank you, Rosalie, for an unforgettable stay!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Stephen C.

A rare opporunity!

My wife and I loved our 4-night stay here. It is simply spectacular, and we felt transported back in time--but with all the modern comforts. The ceilings were high, the furnishings were beautiful, and the stone, marble, and ceramic flooring was attractive. It is so nice that we had a hard time leaving the place each day to explore Modica or other nearby locations. The website's description and photographs are entirely accurate. Everything was provided for our stay, including tea, coffee, milk, fruit, fresh bread, and jam for breakfast. The kitchen is fully equipped along with nice glassware and tableware. The bathrooms are modern and the water pressure is good. The living room is indeed palatial and its view of the city from the balcony was breathtaking. The terrace next to the cathedral is a perfect place to spend a morning and eto nd the day with a nightcap. Although air conditioning is an option in the bedrooms, we found it unnecessary even in the Sicilian heat. The bed was comfortable and the bedding luxurious. Our stay was the highlight of our trip. Communication with the owner Rosalie was quick and smooth by email and telephone. She clearly cares about her guests and wanted to speak personally with us at the beginning and end of the stay to make certain everything was OK. The property's "concierge" Lorenzo was very helpful and attentive. He even insisted on carrying our baggage.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017

2/10 Terrible

Kenneth B.

Beware

Pleasant property centrally located in Monica. Positive features include an attractive balcony, public room with an attractive ceiling and a well equipped kitchen. Previous reviews describe one aspect of a stay at this property. There are other features of this flat that should be considered by anybody who is thinking about renting it. They include: - The property does not have potable water - the water coming out of the taps is not safe to drink. We were advised to buy and drink bottled water. I’m not sure why the water is not safe to drink but it is safe to wash dishes and prepare salads in it. - There are not adequate arrangements for the disposal of household waste. There is a small metal bin in the kitchen and plastic bags to use in it. When full the bag must either be left outside in the courtyard or left inside the house. Leaving the bag in either place encourages pests. Furthermore, since it is only collected twice a week the waste rots - and stinks - in the heat. `-The house and courtyard are covered in ants. They are present in every single room and each morning has to start with an attempt to get rid of at least some of them: Going to bed at night required that the bed be checked - and if necessary cleared of ants. Rodents climb into the courtyard at night. One day a dead one was found lying there Electricity - The electricity supply is not reliable. On the majority of nights that we were there it went off several times each night. It can be easily reset but this often required a trip down a staircase guided only by a torch. Some nights it went off at least half a dozen times - which made cooking a meal very interesting and again unsafe. Water - The water supply was interrupted twice in a one week period and the pump had to be restarted. On one occasion we had no water from evening until the next morning. Not ideal, hygienic or safe. Plant watering - The housekeeper required access to the property daily to water the plants. Whilst accepting the necessity of such the invasion of privacy was not pleasant. The housekeeper who watered the plants seemed to feel it was part of her duties to tell the owner that, on one of the occasions that she visited, that the house was untidy. We received an email from the owner chastising us for having moved a piece of furniture. No harm had been done, we had simply moved a piece of furniture. Review by Housekeeper - After visits by the housekeeper to ‘water the plants’ we would receive email
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2017

8/10 Good

andrew l.

A lovely characterful apartment in an historic setting

The property is in a wing of a palace right next to the beautiful cathedral. There is a pleasant terrace/balcony to sit out on. The house is well equipped (apart from a kettle ?? ) and comfortably furnished (not full on palazzo style). We were shown round by Lorenzo, a charming and helpful man, who was full of information about the town and the local area. Unlike many other Italian/Sicilian towns there is no central piazza in Modica and there are no convenient restaurants immediately nearby. The centre is accessed by walking down a lot of steps (but it only takes five minutes). Modica is well placed for visits to Noto, Ragusa, Scicli and Syracuse. Don't miss the gelati and the fabulous chocolate.

10/10 Excellent

Andrew F.

Beautiful little Palace

This beautiful and stylishly appointed property has all the proportions of a little palace. It is remarkably situated next to St Giorgio church with the drawing room balcony overlooking the steps, which during our stay provided significant interest. There are two outside terraces for dining and lounging. The bedrooms are very comfortable and there are two high quality shower rooms. Hall leads to a magnificent staircase with kitchen off. Kitchen was very cool-useful in high summer I'm sure-but actually a little cold for us. Kitchen had a good range of eguipment. Position is 260 steps up from the main street (Corso Umberto) but parking very close was easy. Local restaurants both down and up the hill were very interesting and easy. Very stylish! We will come again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2017

10/10 Excellent

Claire P., Gatineau, Québec, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness

Merveilleuse experience au Palace Polara

Magnifique hébergement avec toutes ses terrasses et son très joli salon. Les chambres sont très confortables et toutes les commodités sont très bien et plus. L’Arrivée a été très facile avec Lorenzo qui nous a donné plein de conseils très pratiques. Nous reviendrons c’est sûr… Merci Rosalie et Lorenzo pour tout☺️
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hilde B.

Erwartungen übertroffen

Perfekte, liebenswerte Betreuung durch die Eigentümerin und Lorenzo, der Kontakt vor Ort. Die Lage könnte nicht besser sein, direkt neben dem Duomo San Giorgio. Die Räume sind grosszügig und sehr geschmackvoll restauriert, insbesondere die Bäder. Alles sehr sauber, die Küche ist üppig ausgestattet. Durchaus für längere Aufenthalte geeignet. Parken war bei uns kein Problem, wir haben immer Plätze in unmittelbarer Nähe gefunden.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Rose-Marie T.

Pierre,Terre et Soleil dans un palazzetto élégant,séjour unique de 2 semaines en septembre 2017

Découvrir la Sicile baroque de Modica fut une expérience unique et un privilège grâce surtout à la chance que nous avons eue de séjourner dans une demeure historique magnifiquement restaurée , raffinée et très très confortable. Art, beauté, confort, tout est présent dans ce palazzetto.Nous étions directement à l'aise grâce à Rosalie qui a fait tout pour rendre notre séjour facile ( tout ce dont nous avons besoin pour vivre les premiers jours et même plus est présent) et grâce à Lorenzo qui nous accueille et nous oriente si nécessaire. Nous ( 3 adultes) avons séjourné 2 semaines avec grand bonheur, point de départ pour visiter toute la Sicile baroque ( ne pas oublier Scigli notre coup de cœur) ,Syracuse et la côte ( Sampieri très belle plage de sable, longue promenade loin du tumulte balnéaire). Les photos rendent tout à fait justice à la beauté et au confort de la maison. Elle est aussi très fraîche le jour, même en période de grande chaleur. Les terrasses sont extrêmement agréables . Cuisine très bien équipée, il ne manque rien. Nous étions comme chez nous. De toutes nos locations en Italie où nous allons chaque année depuis 5 ans, c'est celle qui obtient tous les suffrages sur tous les plans. Merci à Rosalie! Rose- Marie, Montréal, Canada Séjour : 2 semaines en septembre 2017
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Un excellent séjour!

Nous avons séjourné une semaine fin mai 2017 dans ce très agréable appartement ancien, situé dans un palazetto jouxtant la cathédrale Saint Georges. Décoré avec beaucoup de goût, de belles grandes pièces, un magnifique salon donnant sur balcon d'où on ne se lasse pas d'admirer la vue sur Modica, deux terrasses secrètes où il fait bon se reposer. Il ne manquait absolument rien. Rosalie a veillé à ce que tout se passe bien. L'accueil à l'arrivée par Lorenzo a été impeccable. Une excellente adresse pour Modica et bien sûr aussi rayonner dans la Sicile baroque.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2017