Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa is the kind of place you drive to on purpose. It sits in open farmland a few kilometres inland from Mazara del Vallo, at the far western tip of Sicily, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and palms, with a big courtyard pool, a rebuilt spa, a tennis court and its own beach club on the coast. Many travellers still know it as the former Kempinski. Since 2022 it has been run by the Italian group HNH Hospitality under its Almar brand. My one-line verdict: a calm, spacious five-star base for western Sicily with a genuinely good spa, best enjoyed by people who will use a car and eat out in Mazara on some evenings.
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Quick facts: Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa
- Location: Via Salemi km 7, in the countryside roughly 7 km from Mazara del Vallo, province of Trapani.
- Rooms and suites: around 86 to 90 junior suites, suites and royal suites (published counts differ, see below).
- Price level: upper five-star for western Sicily, though noticeably below the big-name resorts on the island.
- Season: seasonal, roughly mid-April to mid-October according to tour operator listings. The hotel has not published exact 2026 or 2027 dates that we could find, so ask the hotel.
- Nearest airport: Trapani Birgi, about 40 to 50 minutes by car. Palermo is about 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Best for: couples and spa lovers who want space and quiet, with tennis and a beach club as extras.
Check prices and availability
Pool view suites and July and August dates go first. Compare dates early, especially around the start and end of the season.
Location and getting there
The resort stands on the road from Mazara del Vallo towards Salemi, in flat, open country. It was built in the mid-2000s around the idea of a Sicilian baglio, the fortified farmhouse with an inner courtyard, and it is named after Costanza d’Altavilla (Constance of Hauteville), the Norman queen who was mother of Emperor Frederick II. Kempinski ran it for most of its first decade before the brand left in 2013. HNH Hospitality reopened it as Almar Giardino di Costanza in May 2022 after a renovation.
Be clear about what this location means. You are not on the sea and you cannot walk anywhere: there is nothing within strolling distance beyond the grounds. The town centre of Mazara is roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car, and the hotel’s beach club is around 15 to 20 minutes’ drive away. A hire car makes the stay far better.
Trapani Birgi is the closest airport. An independent 2026 review timed it at about 41 minutes. Palermo Falcone Borsellino is about 110 km away, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes by car. The hotel offers paid private transfers.
Rooms and suites
Here our research turned up contradictory information on the room count. HNH Hospitality’s own hotel page lists 86 rooms, the reopening announcement and several partners say 88, and the 2022 launch news spoke of 90 keys. It was not clear to us which figure is current, so ask the hotel if it matters to you. What everyone agrees on is that this is a suites-led hotel and the rooms are generous.
- Junior Suite Garden View: about 48 m², the entry category, with a balcony or terrace.
- Junior Suite Pool View: similar in feel but facing the courtyard pool. A guest who stayed in July 2026 described a king bed, a double vanity, a bathtub, a large walk-in shower and a furnished balcony over the pool.
- Suite Garden View: about 63 m², with a separate sitting area.
- Superior Suite Pool View: about 81 m², the sweet spot for a longer stay.
- Suite dei Limoni: about 145 m², the largest of the categories published by the spa partner listings.
- Royal Suites: named by the operator, but sizes and layouts are not published. Ask the hotel.
The 2022 to 2023 restyling brought warmer Sicilian touches: turquoise tiles, local ceramics and lighter fabrics, set against the original stone-built structure. It feels classic rather than cutting-edge, but the space is real and every unit has outdoor space.
Dining
- AquaMadre Restaurant: the main restaurant for breakfast and dinner, cooking Sicilian and Mediterranean dishes with local fish and produce. It uses ten flavoured salts from the Culcasi salt pans at Nubia near Trapani, a Slow Food Presidium.
- Turchinu Lounge & Terrace: the main bar, named after the turquoise tiles on its terrace, and the natural spot for an aperitivo.
- Citrus Pool Bar: drinks, snacks and a light lunch beside the outdoor pool.
- Lido di Costanza: the beach club has its own seaside restaurant for grilled fish and a bar.
On Michelin: AquaMadre does not hold a star in the 2026 guide, and we found no Michelin listing for it. The chef’s name is not published by the hotel, so ask if that matters. Opinions on dinner vary: breakfast gets consistently good feedback, while one detailed 2026 review found dinner service slow and the cooking uneven. I would eat in Mazara on at least two evenings. The town’s red prawn, the gambero rosso di Mazara, is reason enough.
Check rates at Almar Giardino di Costanza
Spa and pools
The spa is the strongest reason to choose this hotel. Almablu Wellness & Spa was rebuilt by the Italian architects Studio Apostoli and completed in 2023. The architects give its size as 1,260 m², while earlier announcements spoke of more than 2,700 m², so the larger figure may include outdoor or planned areas. Either way, it is laid out as a journey through the island’s Norman, Arab and Roman past.
- Norman area: a bio sauna and a Finnish sauna with a cold plunge.
- Arab and Roman hammam: a tepidarium with heated benches and steam, and a laconicum, the hottest room, with a hot water bath.
- Arabian patio: links the zones and holds a salt steam bath, plus an ice waterfall.
- Indoor pool: heated, with a lane for proper swimming.
- Fitness: a gym and a studio for Pilates and yoga, with free classes at set times, some held in the garden.
- Treatments: massages and facials inspired by Classical Chinese Medicine, the signature of every Almablu spa. Treatments cost extra, and entry rules for the wet area can change, so ask the hotel when you book.
Outside, the large mosaic-tiled pool fills the main courtyard, framed by palms, a waterfall and rows of loungers. Some listings mention a second outdoor pool, one of them adults-only, and a children’s pool. These were not confirmed by the operator’s own pages, so check with the hotel if a quiet adults’ pool is important to you.
Sport and activities
Tennis
The resort has one tennis court for guests, set beyond the main pool, which is why it appears in our guide to tennis hotels in Sicily. The hotel does not publish the surface, floodlighting, coaching or racquet hire, and we could not confirm whether court time is free or charged in 2026. If tennis is a priority, ask the hotel before you travel. For a dedicated tennis holiday on the island, Verdura near Sciacca, about an hour along the coast, is in a different league with six clay courts and an academy: see our Verdura Resort review.
The beach
The private Lido di Costanza lies on the coast around 15 to 20 minutes from the resort, reached by a complimentary shuttle at set times. Guests get sunbeds and umbrellas, and there is a seaside restaurant and bar. One operator notes that beach access is for summer stays only, depends on the weather and needs booking, and guests report limited shuttle times.
Excursions
The hotel arranges outings that make good use of the location: fishing trips with local fishermen from Mazara’s port, wine and olive oil tastings, tours of the salt pans between Marsala and Trapani, and visits to Mozia and Selinunte.
What’s nearby
- Mazara del Vallo: a major fishing port with a Kasbah quarter of narrow lanes, ceramic murals and a strong North African influence. The Museo del Satiro holds the bronze Dancing Satyr, pulled from the sea by local fishermen.
- Selinunte: one of the largest Greek archaeological parks in Europe, roughly 40 minutes south-east by car, best visited early in the morning.
- Marsala and Mozia: fortified wine cellars in Marsala, then the salt pans and the small Phoenician island of Mozia. Our Sicilian wine guide covers Marsala and the western estates.
- Lago Preola and Gorghi Tondi: a WWF nature reserve of small lakes just west of Mazara, lovely for a quiet walk.
- Further afield: Trapani, Erice and the Egadi Islands are an easy day trip. For the wider picture, read our guide to where to stay in Sicily by region.
Giardino di Costanza vs other Sicilian luxury hotels
| Hotel | Location | Standout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almar Giardino di Costanza | Mazara del Vallo countryside, far west | Rebuilt Almablu Spa, large suites, 1 tennis court, beach club by shuttle | Quiet spa stays and touring the west |
| Rocco Forte Verdura Resort | Near Sciacca, south-west coast | 45 holes of golf, 6 clay courts, large spa, own shoreline | Golfers, tennis players, active families |
| Rocco Forte Villa Igiea | Palermo seafront | Art Nouveau palace, sea-view tennis court, pool and spa | City culture with a resort feel |
In short: Verdura is the choice if you want sport and the sea on one estate, Villa Igiea if you want Palermo on your doorstep (read our Villa Igiea review), and Giardino di Costanza if you want space, a strong spa and a peaceful base for Mazara, Marsala and Selinunte, usually at a lower rate than either.
Who it suits, and who it does not
It suits:
- Couples who want large suites, a quiet pool and a proper hammam and sauna circuit.
- Travellers exploring western Sicily by car who want one comfortable base for a week.
- Casual tennis players happy with a single court and an occasional hit.
It does not suit:
- Anyone who wants to step from their room onto the sand: the beach is a drive or shuttle away.
- Serious tennis players looking for clay courts, coaching and an academy.
- Travellers without a car who want to walk to restaurants or into town.
- Gourmets who want a Michelin-starred dinner on site.
- Families who need a kids’ club, as we found no evidence of one.
Charlotte’s tip: split your days between spa and sea
Plan this stay as a rhythm: mornings at Selinunte or the salt pans before the heat, an afternoon in the hammam and sauna, then a drive into Mazara for red prawns and a walk through the Kasbah at dusk. Keep the beach club for the hottest days.
Practical tips
- Booking: book spa treatments, the beach shuttle and any excursions when you confirm the room. Ask whether the tennis court and the beach club are included in your rate.
- Best rooms to request: a Superior Suite Pool View for space and the courtyard view, or a Junior Suite Pool View if you are on a tighter budget. Garden view rooms are quieter at night.
- Season: the hotel closes in winter. May, June and September are the most comfortable months for tennis and sightseeing. Confirm exact opening and closing dates with the hotel.
- Car: hire one at Trapani or Palermo.
- Kids: children are welcome, but there is no dedicated playground or entertainment programme according to one tour operator. Ask about family suites and cots.
- Pets: dogs are accepted for a daily fee, according to partner listings. Confirm in advance.
Check prices and availability
Compare junior suites and pool view suites, and check whether beach club access and breakfast are included on your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Almar Giardino di Costanza still a Kempinski hotel?
No. Kempinski left in 2013. Since May 2022 the resort has been managed by HNH Hospitality as Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa, and it is also bookable through Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
Is Almar Giardino di Costanza on the beach?
No. It is in the countryside about 7 km from Mazara del Vallo. Guests use the private Lido di Costanza, around 15 to 20 minutes away, with a complimentary shuttle at set times in summer.
Does the hotel have a tennis court?
Yes, one court for guests. Surface, lighting, coaching and any charges are not published, so ask the hotel before you travel.
Is the resort open all year?
No. It is a seasonal hotel, open roughly from mid-April to mid-October according to tour operators. Ask the hotel for exact dates.
