Rooms

On a fertile hillside overlooking the sea, the 7 dammusi are typical of 10th-century Pantelleria island architecture. Extra-thick walls of volcanic stone provide effective insulation from the hostile climate, while gently undulating cupolas are cleverly engineered to capture precious rainwater.

Outdoor terraces with pretty pergolas lead seamlessly into cool interiors, elegantly designed by owner Baroness Rosa Borgia herself. Majolica-tiled floors and heavy wooden shutters are complemented by vaulted ceilings and intimate alcoves, then minimally decorated with vintage furniture and oversized pots. Bathrooms and kitchens are simple but stylish, equipped with everything you need.

Of the 7 houses, Jolly, Gelso, Pineta and Vigna are ideal for couples (sleeping 2), while Palmeto and Limoni would suit small families (sleeping 4 + an extra bed). The main house, Grande, is heritage listed and can sleep up to 8. Its stunning 12m tiled pool featured heavily in A Bigger Splash (Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton). Palmeto and Limoni have private plunge pools and sundecks. We particularly like the look of Vigna, the most isolated of the estate’s houses, with its traditional outdoor grill.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• WiFi

Eating

Most of the dammusi have fully equipped kitchens with microwave, stove, oven, dishwasher and fridge-freezer; Jolly has a basic outdoor kitchenette. Dining is an indoor-outdoor affair with large marble tables and rustic seaview patios. You can help yourself to juicy lemons, peaches, loquats, grapes, figs and persimmons from the trees. The estate also produces cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and bottles of sweet ‘wind dried’ Passito wine – you'll get one of each as a thank you for booking through i-escape.

It’s a 20-minute walk to the village of Rekhale, where there’s a small store and a decent local trattoria, U Trattu. For more choice head to Scauri, 5km away, where you’ll find traditional bars, restaurants and markets. Typical island dishes include ravioli amari (filled with ricotta and mint), couscous with seafood, and perhaps the world's-best caponata (aubergine stew).

If you want to eat in, but don’t feel like cooking, Tenuta Borgia can arrange a personal chef to prepare a dinner based on local products.

Features include:

• Chef on request
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Restaurants nearby
• Shopping service
• Toaster
• Basic supplies

Activities

• Explore the 12-hectare estate, with its Mediterranean shrubs and beautiful Arabian garden; stone walls protect precious citrus vegetation and an ancient irrigation system
  
• Rent a boat (with or without skipper) to putter along the local coast; the most spectacular stretch is from Scauri to the famous Elephant Arch
  
• Slather yourself in mineral-rich mud scooped from the warm, turquoise waters of the Mirror of Venus crater lake
  
• Climb the island's highest peak, Montagna Grande (843m), then seek out the natural hot sauna in a grotto on the side of the mountain
  
• Admire 4,000 year-old stone sesi (tombs) near Mursia on the west coast, and find out more about the island's rich archaeological heritage in the local museum
  
• Swim off black rocks in a sheltered cove, such as Cala Tramontana, Cala Levante and Balata dei Turchi; the clear water and intriguing submarine landscapes are perfect for diving or snorkelling
  
• Soak in natural hot springs at Cala Nikà and the Baths of Gadir
  
• The island is Unesco-listed for its wine-growing techniques, and the only place in Italy to grow zibibbo grapes: be sure to visit vineyards and do a tasting

Kids

Families are welcome at Tenuta Borgia but it's not ideal for younger children as the terrain is rough, and the bedrooms are not adjoining - sometimes they are spread 20m apart in separate buildings.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Grande sleeps 8 and has a gorgeous 12m pool; it's a beautiful space for family groups looking to relax, hang out and explore. If your party is slightly bigger, book nearby Pineta, too (sleeping 2). Limoni and Palmeta sleep 4 + an extra bed, and Limoni can be rented together with nearby Jolly (sleeping 6 + an extra bed); they are connected by a path winding up through the pine trees and rosemary shrubs. All dammusi except Jolly and Gelso can take a baby cot.

Distances:

• Airport: 19km (Pantelleria)
• Restaurant/grocery store: 20 mins' walk

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Tenuta Borgia is a 12-hectare estate on the southwest coast of the Sicilian island of Pantelleria, 70km east of Tunisia.

By Air:
Pantelleria Airport (19km) is a 15-minute drive from the property and receives daily flights from Palermo and Trapani and twice-weekly flights from Catania. In summer, there are also direct flights from Milan, Rome and other Italian cities. You'll need to hire car to get here and explore the island's narrow roads.

By Boat:
Overnight ferries run year-round between Trapani and the port of Pantelleria. In summer, a hydrofoil runs daily, taking just over 2 hours.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

Read our guide to getting to Italy and getting around