Hotels often have the biggest pools, and sometimes an indoor pool in the spa as well. In Sicily, the sunshine stretches out the season, but a heated pool lets you swim in warm water from spring to autumn. Here are the 13 hotels I've selected in Sicily, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Villa Dei Melograni Boutique Hotel, Il Marchese Hotel & Spa and Mangia's Torre del Barone Resort & SPA.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
13 places shown
The pool. Indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Guests mention the pool in general terms.
Guide's tip. Small, recently opened hotel with few reviews: get confirmation that the indoor pool is heated.
The pool. Heated outdoor pool, with sunloungers for all guests.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hotel gives neither a temperature nor a heating period: ask for both if you're coming in spring or autumn.
The pool. Outdoor pool, described as heated in the Hotels.com selection; hot tub.
The hot tub. Hot tub.
According to the Hotels.com review summary (around twenty reviews), the pool water is considered warm and clean. A few guests also mention the hot tub.
Guide's tip. One of the few pools in central Palermo: ask whether it's heated outside summer.
The pool. Indoor pool, plus an outdoor pool open from May to September (9:00–18:30). Spa with sauna, hammam and hot tub.
The hot tub. Hot tub at the spa.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Guests list the pool, in general terms, among the highlights.
Guide's tip. Out of season, only the indoor pool is open: ask about its temperature before booking. The spa is off-limits to under-16s.
The pool. One indoor pool and one outdoor pool; spa with sauna and hammam. Several travellers mention a sulphurous thermal pool.
Travellers mention an indoor thermal pool and the site's sulphurous water; one reports a strong smell of sulphur near an outdoor thermal pool. None gives the temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which pool is thermal and when it's open: the smell of sulphur can come as a surprise.
The pool. Heated clifftop infinity pool, open from sunrise to sunset. The spa also has its own pool, closed for the season when I checked.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. On Kayak, guests appreciate the poolside service, and some would have liked more choice at lunch. A travel blog describes the pool perched on the cliff, without mentioning heating.
Guide's tip. The spa pool may close out of season: ask the hotel which pools will be open on your dates.
The pool. Heated pool with views of Etna and the sea, plus an outdoor hot tub.
The hot tub. Outdoor hot tub.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Kayak doesn't say whether the pool is heated; it's the Bedandbreakfast.eu listing that advertises it.
Guide's tip. Get the hotel to confirm that the pool really is heated and open on your dates.
The pool. The Pool Suites have a heated pool and a hot tub on their private terrace. The main outdoor pool isn't advertised as heated.
The hot tub. Private hot tub on the terrace of the Pool Suites.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. One guest mentions the small private plunge pool on their balcony.
Guide's tip. Only the Pool Suites have heated water: make sure you book that category and get the heating period confirmed.
The pool. One indoor pool and one outdoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the indoor pool is heated and open on your dates.
The pool. Indoor pool in the basement spa, with a hot tub alongside.
The hot tub. Hot tub in the spa.
A blogger who stayed at the hotel describes a lovely basement spa with an indoor pool and hot tub, without mentioning the temperature. On Expedia, one guest found the spa very pleasant.
Guide's tip. It's one of the few pools on Ortigia: check the spa's hours when you arrive.
The pool. In the spa, four open-air thalassotherapy pools heated to different temperatures and a 20 m indoor pool for swimming. The large 60 m outdoor pool isn't advertised as heated.
A journalist who stayed there describes the four heated thalassotherapy pools, each at its own temperature. He also notes that they show some signs of wear. Kayak doesn't publish any reviews on the water temperature.
Guide's tip. For a warm swim, head for the spa (thalasso pools and indoor pool) rather than the big outdoor pool, which can be windswept depending on the season.
The pool. Indoor pool in addition to the outdoor pool and a children's pool; kids' club.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. One guest finds the pool a little old-fashioned but clean.
Guide's tip. The rating is right on the threshold: read the recent reviews and get confirmation that the indoor pool is open on your dates.
The pool. Indoor pool, plus an outdoor pool open from May to September and a children's pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Comments focus on crowds, noise and the 18:00 closing time.
Guide's tip. Large hotel popular with groups: check the indoor pool's opening hours.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
The hot tub. Seasonal outdoor pool, with no heating advertised; spa with hammam and hot tub.
One traveller mentions the hot tub, another the pool and hammam at the spa. None mentions the temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the spa hot tub is included or costs extra.
The hot tub. Outdoor pool open from April to November, with no heating advertised. Two suites have a private indoor hot tub, and the Lotus cabana a private outdoor one.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hot tub is reserved for three suite categories: specify it when booking.
The hot tub. Glass-bottomed outdoor infinity pool, with no heating advertised. The suites have a hot tub on their terrace.
One traveller mentions the private terrace with a hot tub overlooking the town.
Guide's tip. The hot tub is reserved for the suites: choose your room category carefully.
The hot tub. Sea-facing outdoor pool on the lowest terrace level, with no heating advertised. The spa has a sauna, hammam and hot tub.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. For warm water, rely on the spa: ask about its opening hours and whether there's a charge.
The hot tub. Outdoor pool (9:00–19:00), with no heating advertised. One suite (Prestige Mulino) has its own hot tub.
Travellers enjoy the pool's setting. None mentions the water temperature.
Guide's tip. For warm water, book the suite with the hot tub.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Villa Dei Melograni Boutique Hotel (Boutique hotel), with 10/10 (22 reviews · Hotels.com). Next come Il Marchese Hotel & Spa (8.8/10) and Mangia's Torre del Barone Resort & SPA (8.8/10).
None of the places selected in Sicily clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Villa Dei Melograni Boutique Hotel, Il Marchese Hotel & Spa and Mangia's Torre del Barone Resort & SPA have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in Sicily gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
Yes: Il Marchese Hotel & Spa, Bastione Spasimo Boutique Hotel and Hotel Villa Taormina also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: NH Collection Taormina, Grand Hotel San Pietro and Villa del Gattopardo Suites & Spa.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Metropole Taormina · Taormina | Seasonal infinity pool facing the Bay of Naxos, heating not stated | 19,3/20 · Guide Michelin | Heating not confirmed |
| Il San Corrado di Noto · Syracuse | Two outdoor pools and a seasonal pool (March to October), heating not stated | 10/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Hibrido Boutique Hotel & Spa · Sciacca | No pool; one guest paid €150 for the hot tub and found it cold. | 9,4/10 | Water colder than advertised |
| Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel · Taormina | The official website doesn't describe the pool and says nothing about heating. | 9,4/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Hotel Villa Belvedere · Taormina | Lovely outdoor pool in a palm garden, no mention of heating. | 9,6/10 | Heating not confirmed |
| Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel · Palermo | Outdoor pool open in high season only, no mention of heating. | null | Heating not confirmed |
| NH Palermo · Palermo | Pool open from 15 May to 30 September, no mention of heating. | null | Heating not confirmed |
| Hotel Santa Lucia Le Sabbie d'Oro · Palermo | Indoor and outdoor pools in Cefalù. | 7,0/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
| Costa Verde (Cefalù) · Palermo | Hot tub advertised. | 7,6/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
| Hotel Bellevue del Golfo · Palermo | Hot tub advertised. | 7,2/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
Sources: Guide Michelin, Belmond, Oyster, Airbnb, Rocco Forte Hotels, TripExpert, Hotels.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz, Expedia, Airbnb.
