Zash Country Boutique Hotel Review (2026): Starred Dining Below Etna

Zash Country Boutique Hotel & Spa sits in Archi, a hamlet of Riposto on the Ionian coast below Mount Etna, in an early 20th-century manor house that was once a working winery. The old palmento, the stone hall where grapes were pressed, now holds a restaurant with a Michelin star, the cellars have become rooms, and glass-walled pool villas stand among orange and lemon trees. It is small, architect-designed and very much about dinner. My one-line verdict: arguably the most rewarding place on Etna’s eastern side to combine a starred tasting menu with design and the sea, as long as you check on the spa before you book.

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Location and getting there

Archi lies on the so-called Riviera dei Limoni, the strip of citrus groves between Catania and Taormina where Etna’s slopes run down to the sea. The hotel is surrounded by its own orange and lemon trees, with the volcano behind and the Ionian coast in front. It is not a beach hotel, but the sea is close: booking partners put the coast at around 3 to 4 km, about five minutes by car, with the pebble beaches of Fondachello, Marina di Cottone and Torre Archirafi and the Riposto harbour all within a short drive.

Catania Fontanarossa airport is about 45 km away, roughly 40 to 50 minutes by car depending on traffic around Catania. The hotel arranges private transfers for a fee. Taormina is usually given as 30 to 40 minutes, and Giarre-Riposto railway station is around ten minutes by car. A hire car is close to essential if you want to explore Etna, the wine estates and the coast; parking is free on site. For transfer options and car hire, see our Catania airport transfer guide.

One practical note: a railway line runs nearby, and at least one reviewer mentions that some rooms are close to the tracks. If you are a light sleeper, mention it when you book.

Rooms and suites

Architects Antonio Iraci and Carla Maugeri completed the conversion in 2011, and it later won an international hotel architecture prize. Expect black lava stone, white resin floors, oak and a lot of glass. The rooms are spread between the former wine cellar, the manor house, the old caretaker’s house and the garden. Published counts differ (16, 17 or 18), so if the exact number matters, ask the hotel.

• Blend Room (about 26 to 32 m²): in the old wine cellar, where white resin volumes are set against exposed lava stone. Some have a balcony. The entry category, and the most atmospheric for the price.
• Iconic Room (about 30 to 40 m²): either on the first floor of the manor house, with views towards Etna, or at ground level with a panoramic window onto the citrus grove.
• Historic Room (about 35 to 40 m²): vaulted ceilings, in the manor house or the old caretaker’s house, for up to three guests.
• Unique Suite (about 50 to 55 m²): two rooms, with a lounge and a sofa bed, for up to four. Some open onto a garden patio; the first-floor version has a terrace with a sea view.
• Pool Villa (about 40 m²): separate glass-walled pavilions in the citrus grove, with a terrace and a private outdoor bath with air-bubble massage, looking towards Etna and the sea.
• Private Spa Pool Villa and Spa Suite: the top categories, with private wellness features such as a sauna for two or, in the Spa Suite, a tub, sauna and Turkish bath. Descriptions vary between sources, so confirm exactly what is included.

Breakfast is included in most rates and served on the front terrace, or inside in cooler months. Small dogs are accepted for a fee, but not in the Pool Villas.

Dining

The restaurant is the reason most guests come, and it is also open to outside diners. It occupies the former palmento, with dark exposed stone, a lava floor and the old wooden wine press as a centrepiece. Chef Giuseppe Raciti has led the kitchen since 2014, after working as chef de partie at the three-star Dal Pescatore in Lombardy. Zash won its Michelin star in the 2020 guide, announced at the end of 2019, and the 2026 guide confirms one star.

Michelin describes the cooking as creative and seasonal, a modern reading of Sicily built on ingredients from the sea, the land and the volcano. Expect themed tasting menus, with dishes also available à la carte. The guide highlights tuna belly cooked over embers with smoked aubergine, grapefruit and teriyaki.

• Zash restaurant: dinner from 8pm, plus Sunday lunch. Closed on Tuesdays, so plan your nights around that.
• Pool and bar: a light lunch by the pool, with wine and cocktails at the poolside bar.
• Wine: sommelier tastings can be booked, and the hotel arranges visits to local estates.

A note on wine, since this is a former winery: the hotel does not produce wine on the property, and the vineyards here were replaced by citrus groves long ago. The Maugeri family, linked to the hotel, runs a separate winery in Milo on Etna’s eastern slope, known for Etna Bianco Superiore. Ask whether their bottles are on the list, as they make an obvious local pairing.

Check rates at Zash Country Boutique Hotel & Spa

Spa and pools

The spa is set underground in the old wine cellars, with lava stone walls, a warm indoor hydromassage pool, a sauna, a Turkish bath and an emotional shower, plus massage rooms using local natural products.

Here is the important caveat for 2026: the hotel’s own booking pages announce that major renovation works have started on the spa, and the Michelin Guide’s hotel listing says the spa is temporarily closed. No reopening date is published. Massages may still be available on request. If the spa matters to your stay, ask the hotel before booking, or book a villa or suite with private wellness features.

The outdoor pool is the daytime centre of the hotel: clean lines, a beach-style entrance and sunloungers among the orange trees. It is seasonal, generally open from late morning to early evening, with hours depending on the weather. The Pool Villas add their private terrace baths, which is a large part of their appeal while the spa is closed.

Sport and activities

Zash is not a sports hotel. There is no tennis court or golf course on site, though both are within driving distance. What it does offer suits a slow, food-led stay:

• Bikes: free bikes for exploring the flat coastal lanes and the citrus groves, and a jogging track.
• Etna: guided excursions to the volcano, trekking and horse riding can be arranged for a fee. For the options, read our guide to Mount Etna tours.
• Wine: the north slope estates around Castiglione di Sicilia and Randazzo are within an hour. Our Mount Etna wine tours guide covers the best producers and guided tastings.
• Sea: a motor boat can be hired, and the beaches north and south of Riposto are a few minutes by car.
• Golf: the nearest 18 holes are at Il Picciolo on the north slope, roughly an hour away. Read our Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort review.

What’s nearby

• Riposto and Torre Archirafi: a fishing harbour and marina, seafood restaurants and an easy evening stroll by the sea.
• Taormina: 30 to 40 minutes north for the Greek theatre and Corso Umberto. If you want to stay there instead, see where to stay in Taormina.
• Mount Etna: the summit area and craters are reached in a long half-day from the coast.
• Etna wine country: Milo for Etna Bianco on the eastern slope, and the north slope wine road for Nerello Mascalese.

Zash vs other Etna hotels

Zash already features in our guide to wine hotels on Mount Etna as the pick for design and sea views. Here is how it compares with the other hotels we rate around the volcano.

In short: choose Zash for the restaurant and a short drive to the sea, our Monaci delle Terre Nere review explains why that estate is the better pick for wine on the doorstep, and Il Picciolo is the golfer’s base.

Who it suits, and who it does not

It suits:

• Couples planning a trip around a Michelin-starred dinner who want to walk back to bed afterwards.
• Design lovers: the lava stone and glass architecture is the real thing, not a theme.
• Travellers who want Etna, Taormina and the coast all within about 40 minutes.

It does not suit:

• Spa lovers in 2026, unless the hotel confirms the spa has reopened for your dates.
• Guests who want a resort with tennis, a gym programme and a beach club on site.
• Travellers without a car who want to dine out every night.
• Very light sleepers, unless you request a room away from the railway.

Practical tips

• Booking: reserve dinner at the same time as the room, especially for weekends and for the two nights either side of a Tuesday.
• Best rooms to request: a first-floor Iconic Room for Etna views, the Unique Suite with the sea-view terrace, or a Pool Villa for privacy.
• Season: April to October is best; the pool is seasonal. A January closure has been reported in the past, and 2026 to 2027 winter dates are not published, so ask the hotel.
• Spa: confirm the renovation status in writing before you travel if wellness is a priority.
• Kids: children are welcome, with free cots for under-fours and paid extra beds, but the mood is adult and romantic. Families wanting more space and gardens may prefer a larger resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zash have a Michelin star in 2026?

Yes. Zash restaurant holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide, as it has since the 2020 edition. The chef is Giuseppe Raciti.

Is the spa at Zash open?

Not at the time of writing. The hotel has announced a major spa renovation and the Michelin Guide lists the spa as temporarily closed, with no reopening date. Ask the hotel for the current status.

How far is Zash from the beach and from Taormina?

The coast is about 3 to 4 km away, roughly five minutes by car. Taormina is around 30 to 40 minutes north.

Does Zash still make wine?

No. The property is a former winery and the restaurant sits in the old palmento, but no wine is made on site. Tastings with the sommelier and visits to local estates can be arranged.