13th November 2025 | Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel, has been named Europe’s Best Golf Hotel at the 2025 World Golf Awards, confirming its reputation as one of the continent’s leading destinations for golf and hospitality
Now in its twelfth year, the World Golf Awards recognise excellence across the global golf tourism industry, honouring destinations, resorts and courses that set the standard for quality and service. Part of the World Travel Awards programme, they are widely regarded as among the most respected distinctions in international golf hospitality. Located on Sicily’s southern coast, Verdura Resort brings together exceptional sporting facilities, understated design and thoughtful service. Conceived by Sir Rocco Forte and designed by Olga Polizzi, the resort’s architecture was created to blend with the surrounding landscape, using natural materials and low-lying buildings that frame views of the Mediterranean.
Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels said: “This prestigious award recognises the exceptional dedication of our team, which consistently strives to deliver a high-performing course for our members and guests. Our commitment to excellence leads us to create golf experiences that are both high-end and deeply immersed in the destination. At Verdura, that philosophy is reflected in everything we do”.
Set across 230 hectares of olive groves and coastline, Verdura features 203 rooms and suites, each with private terraces overlooking the sea, alongside 20 Rocco Forte Private Villas. Facilities include two championship 18-hole courses and a nine-hole par-three course designed by Kyle Phillips, seven restaurants and four bars, a private beach, tennis and padel courts.
Verdura’s East Links and West Shore courses continue to attract golfers from around the world, recognised for their conditioning, playability and coastal views. Supported by a modern golf academy and Italy’s only European Tour-approved Performance Institute, they provide an experience that matches the quality of the resort’s other facilities.
At the heart of the resort’s lifestyle amenities is the Irene Forte Spa, a relaxing retreat offering thalassotherapy pools, a 25-metre indoor pool, Finnish sauna, hammam, state-of-the-art fitness studio and outdoor relaxation areas surrounded by Sicilian flora. Treatments draw on organic ingredients grown locally and are complemented by a full calendar of fitness and wellness classes.
Dining at Verdura reflects Sicily’s culinary heritage. Zagara offers elegant regional dishes using seasonal ingredients, Liolà provides a relaxed trattoria setting and Amare serves freshly caught seafood within touching distance of the Mediterranean. Guests can also enjoy lighter options at the Clubhouse or visit one of the resort’s well-appointed bars.
For guests wishing to make the most of the facilities, Verdura Resort’s Unlimited Golf and Family Golf packages provide tailored opportunities for every type of player, alongside access to practice facilities, coaching programmes and the wider resort experience. For the first time, Verdura Resort will open its golf facilities for a special winter season, welcoming players on weekends throughout the winter (excluding the festive period), before the resort. Golfers will have access to the championship courses, Pro Shop, Clubhouse Lounge and private or group lessons with Verdura’s professional coaches.
Verdura Resort and Rocco Forte Private Villas | Set across 230 hectares of olive groves, citrus orchards, and 1.8 km of private coastline, Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel lies between the Valley of the Temples and Sciacca on Sicily’s southwest coast. The resort blends modern architecture with Sicilian tradition, featuring 203 rooms and suites, and 20 exclusive Private Villas—luxurious hillside residences with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. The diverse dining options range from specialty cocktail bars and casual all-day dining to upscale dining, each highlighting the best of Sicilian cuisine, with an international twist. The flagship Irene Forte Spa offers a 4,000m² sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation. The two award-winning 18-hole golf courses by Kyle Phillips make Verdura Resort a premier destination for golf enthusiasts.
About Rocco Forte Hotels | Established by Sir Rocco Forte and his sister, Olga Polizzi in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels is a collection of 15 individual hotels, resorts, residences and villas. All of the hotels are landmarks, both old and new, occupying magnificent buildings in exceptional locations. Led by a family who has been in hospitality for four generations, the hotels are united by their distinctive approach to service ensuring guests experience the best of the cities and surrounding areas. Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Rocco Forte House, Milan; Hotel de la Ville, Hotel de Russie and Rocco Forte House, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; Verdura Resort, Rocco Forte Private Villas and Villa Igiea, Sicily; Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; Brown’s Hotel, London; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; Hotel Amigo, Brussels and Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg. Future openings: The Carlton, Milan in 2025; Costa Smeralda, Sardinia and Palazzo Castelluccio, Noto in 2026; Palazzo Sirignano, Naples in 2027.
