ils parlent de nous "Mandranova is a beautifully constructed hacienda-style olive farm, with dinner, b&b accommodation, not far from Agrigento, on the south coast of Sicily. The property is set a short distance from the main coast road, and there is some noise from passing traffic. Also the area itself is not too attractive, if you compare it with the interior of the island. These, I would say, are the main drawbacks. Our room was spacious and well appointed, though the shower was a bit small. Evening meals are sometimes communal, and this is a good way of meeting other guests and sharing travelling experiences. The meals we received (tasty without being outstanding) focused on local cuisine and were presented very professionally. The owners run the place very much as a business but are certainly affable enough.On the whole I would say well worth a stay, though don't look for outstanding scenery.” "Il posto è incantevole, i proprietari disponibili e cortesi. La tenuta è suddivisa in due parti: la vecchia casa colonica completamente restaurata che prevede alcune camere, con a fianco il nuovo frantoio e dall'altra il vecchio casello ferroviario da cui sono state ricavate 4 camere. Ciascuna di queste porta il nome di una pianta, l'arredo è curato nei minimi particolari, letti a baldacchino, asciugami cotone e lino, saponi al tè verde, giusta illuminazione. La vista dalla nostra camera era superba, guardava la piscina e le colline colme di ulivi. La cena viene preparata dalla proprietaria e merita una nota di lode. Si può cenare fuori in giardino tra secolari piante africane oppure all'interno della casa. La clientela è internazionale.” "Mandranova is an exceptional value. If you go to Sicily without staying at Mandranova then you missed out on true Sicilian hospitality and culture in everyway. I am looking forward to staying again. It is unsurpassed." "Beautiful place, with fantastic les chambres and delicious food. Did not dislike anything in particular. We'd like to come back!" "Great atmosphere with dinner served on communal tables. Friendly and helpful hosts with a great garden to wile away a few hours with a good book. Slightly too near the main road so traffic noise can be heard in some of the les chambres, but blocked out by dark shutters." "This place is truly wonderful. We can't wait to go back. Sylvia and Guiseppe made it really special, the ambience, atmosphere, food, wine, olive oil, company and location all exceptional. Cooking lessons and tour of the olive groves/oil production process are not to be missed, as is the boat trip along the coast. Our one very minor gripe was there was not enough storage for damp towels/swimming costumes - just a few spare rails in the bathles chambres would be good." "Something of a curate's egg, this one. It's certainly different from most hotels in Sicily and the location, despite the proximity to the road, is charming. The room was OK, clean but basically furnished and the hot water didn't work properly. The odd thing was that the owner had 30 of his closest friends round for dinner when we went. He was at pains to point out that his wasn't normal, but it meant we had to share a table with other guests. I wouldn't recommend staying more than a night or two, as the surrounding areas don't much much to offer. The family are charming." "Charming hosts, fantastic food, great setting - shame about the proximity to the road (noise in the gardens was a disappointment). Some parasols by the pool & on the terrace for breakfast would be welcome in the summer heat. Although claims to welcome children, any noise at the pool and in the house was frowned-upon, which made for a not always relaxing stay. Pehaps better visited a deux in spring/autumn." "Bonjour, Nous sommes contents de laisser la première apréciation en français pour ce fabuleux endroit qu'est " La Mandranova ". Sylvia et Guisepe ainsi que leurs deux fils nous ont admirablement acuelli durant 5 jours où rien n'a été à redire. La maison est sublime, les plages avoisinantes splendides, la cuisine de Sylivia à se damner. Petit plus à ne pas manquer: - un cours de cuisine avec Sylvia, vous ne regreterez pas! - un journée de bateau avec Giuseppe pour compendre le "Sicilian way of life"! Une adresse à conseiller qu'aux gens biens". "We stayed at Mandranova for the first time in May 2006 and totally fell in love with the place. It's a beautifully restored old farm furnished with antiques and family heirlooms. You are warmly greeted by the owners, Silvia and Giuseppe on arrival and will fell like you have just made 2 new friends from the word go. All les chambres are totally different, for example the wonderfully romantic Arancia Suite with a four poster bed and wonderful views over the hills or the stunning Granaio with the biggest walk in shower or Piccionaia right on top of the tower with a huge terrace and out door shower. There is an infinity pool, which is small but totally sufficient again with wonderful views over the hills. The breakfast is unusual for Sicily in that it not only includes the typical cake and coffee, but fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereal, home made jams and bread. Lunch is wonderful with salads, local cheeses and home made chutneys and dinner is a great Sicilian experience serving always the freshest and tastiest local produce. You can do a number of activities there such as take a cookery class with Silvia, going out with Giuseppe on the speed boat including a yummy lunch on board or doing an olive degustation course (Mandranova is a working olive oil farm that has won numerous prices). The Temples of Agrigento are a 15 minute drive away and the beaches of San Leone are about 10 minutes. Also worth a visit is the town of Palma di Montechiaro nearby which is famous for the novel "Il Gattopardo" (a great read - "The Leopard" in English) and the Castle di Montechiaro right on a cliff. We got married there this May and couldn't have wished for a more stunning and perfect wedding. Silvia makes a great wedding cake too and her catering is out of this world! If you go to Sicily, you can't miss out on the perfect stay and if you want to get married abroad, this is THE place to do it.” "We had good beds/excellent wet room; but it was a bit dark, and no view. Silvia is a wonderful cook, and even on the night that she was away the meal was very good. We were really well looked after by Giuseppe and Silvia, and their staff are very friendly. Walks around Mandranova are limited, and there are a lot of polytunnels in the area. That said, the immediate environs of the house are delightful." "A beautiful setting with very friendly and welcoming hosts and superb cooking." "We loved the Mandranova and the warm, friendly hospitality. They went out of their way to accomodate a food allergy, made sure we knew the best route to our next destination, and postponed an appointment to show us the olive farm. This is by far the best place to stay if visiting Agriegento, since the modern towns around the ruins are not the prettiest part of Sicily but the Mandronova olive farm is lovely. Be aware that the old coast road that parallels Rt 115, the highway, is a bit tricky to find and stay on. We could see the Mandranova from the main road but had a little initial difficulty finding the entrance to the old road to access the inn. Also, there is no sign, other than the small one on the bell at the gate so don't give up and think you haven't found it because it seems like a private drive. Anyone you ask directions of will know it, including the local goat herd with his flock on the road, who we asked!" "Sylvia and Giuseppe are charming and welcoming hosts. The accommodations were very comfortable; my only complaint is that there was no hot water for the shower, due to a problem (we think) with calcium in the system. The dinner Sylvia prepared for us was without a doubt the best meal I ate in Sicily all week. Giuseppe's tour of the olive-oil making facilities was interesting and entertaining. Getting a chance to see the seven new puppies was an unexpected treat. I encourage Sylvia and Giuseppe to put some modest signs on the route from the highway to the entrance to their property, as finding the place is a challenge, especially after dark. Mandranova is a place where I could happily stay for a week or more." "We spent a wonderful 2 nights at Mandranova in February, 2007. The owners, Guiseppa and Silva made us feel very welcome from the moment we arrived. They both speak English and were helpful in providing us with tourist information of the area. Their villa has been beautifully restored and the guest les chambres are spacious and decorated with exquisite taste. We had a four course Sicilian dinner prepared by Silvia at Mandranova and it was delicious and definitely the best meal we had in Sicily. I am sorry we didn't have more time at Mandranova to tour the olive vineyards and take a cooking class from Sylvia. They soon will have internet connection for guests and that will be helpful." "A great stay. Sylvia and Giussepe are a very engaging couple, and warm unaffected people. Sylvia is a wonderful cook. Though she says her food is "simple home cooking", we had there the best food we have had in Italy. Dinners are superb,but the breakfast is a very basic continental one. We were made to feel very at home. Giussepe is justifiably proud of his olive oil farm and keen to show it off . It is very much a working farm, producing prize winning olive oil. l'exploitation agricolehouse is an old farmhouse recently been completely restored and tastefully renovated, and very comfortable and spacious." "Silvia + Giuseppe were wonderful hosts and spoke perfect English. Food + wine were excellent and fairly priced. Our room was large w/ tasteful contemporary decor (a bit of NYC in Sicily!). There is a beautiful pool and extensive common areas for relaxing inside or out. Don't miss the Sicilian cooking course w/ Silvia, or a tour of l'exploitation agricole and olive oil production facilities w/ Giuseppe. Convenient location for visiting Agrigento. We will definitely be back!" "The food is fabulous - we didn't get out and about much apart from to Agrigento. In October it felt really quiet in this corner of Sicily. It really is a working farm so if you want lots of service and people waiting on you not the place to go. But I would definitely go again - Silvia's cooking is fantastic! And it was a really great place to meet and talk to other guests. Truly relaxing" "Stylish renovation in olive grove setting. Room was nice, not overly redone. Location is good for Agrigento. Pool seating is not comfortable." "We have had the most wonderful holiday. We cannot complain about anything. A must is a trip on their boat and there is no need to eat out as the food that Silvia cooks I think is the best in Sicily. They are a very helpful couple and really make your stay special." "I have recently returned from a trip to Sicily where I travelled with my husband visiting many different places along the Eastern and Southern coasts and the Aeolian Islands. During this trip we were fortunate enough to stay in some fantastic hotels but this place really tipped the scales.
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