In Eastern Sicily, amidst rambling citrus groves, sublime views over Mount Etna and exquisite wines, you’ll find Zash: a former winery, a country hideaway and a Mediterranean garden all wrapped in one. All of the rooms find a unique way to immerse you in nature, with expansive views that overlook the evocative Sicilian landscape. When confronted with this magnificent 1930s manor house, architect Antonio Iraci smartly took his cues from the magical Sicilian countryside surrounding the property.
Determined to create a dwelling that showcased its environment, he introduced wide rebuilt windows to each room as well as big glass walls. But Iraci also looked inward; using restored original elements from the building such as oak floor boards and volcanic stone cladding. Taken together guests can immediately distinguish the essence of the place, both inside and out: it was - and in many ways still is – a rural countryside manor house. Little wonder then that Iraci was awarded the “Iscia International Architecture Award for excellence in architecture” for his work on Zash Country Boutique Hotel. Through the looking glass the key is transparency.
Each room brings the outside in- whether with wide windows that overlook the evocative Sicilian landscape, or with glass large doors that use the chunky citrus trees as natural wallpaper. Rooms in the old manor house put nature in the forefront, with volcanic stone cladding, oak floorboards, high vaulted ceilings and chestnut windows through which the Ionian Sea dazzles and shines.
