Located at Villa Igiea, a palatial property on the Italian island of Sicily, Irene Forte Spa, Palermo fuses the regenerative powers of nature and science. Their proprietary skincare products and treatments feature nourishing Sicilian botanicals harvested from Verdura Resort’s Organic Farm in Sicily while the floral scent of orange blossom fills the air.

Innovative, high technology is integrated into advanced facials and body treatments which, alongside the relaxing and indulgent therapies, are all carried out by an expert team of Therapists and Specialists.

We chatted with Irene Forte, founder of Irene Forte Spas, to learn more about the spa’s beautiful design, special treatment, insider tips, and more.

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Why You’ll Love It: The colorful, warm and quirky design. Being in Sicily, the design is truly inspired by the island. We have a blown-up image of lemon trees on the ceiling of our reception area, and the retail shelving is designed to look like the lemon tree trunks. We use handmade Sicilian ceramics throughout the spa, and in particular on the floors. We have also integrated 'Sicilian' colors on the walls and ceilings in other areas of the spa.  

Irene Forte Skincare has been awarded the prestigious B Corp certification, confirming that it’s working to the highest standards of environmental and social performance. Guests love that we are minimising our carbon footprint and creating minimal waste while benefiting the community, and partnering with other positive change agents, such as First Mile recycling and B Corp companies like Back Label.

Key Features: Our facilities include:

• 4 treatment rooms

• A double treatment suite with a private relaxation terrace

• A beauty salon offering hair and nail services

• A relaxation room with an outdoor relaxation terrace

• A state-of-the-art Technogym-equipped gym with fitness studio

We're opening the 'wow' thermal area next year. We're also creating an “Irene Forte Garden,” which is a little garden with all the Irene Forte Skincare ingredients that we grow in Sicily.

Bonus: Yes, we take guests to the relaxation room before their treatment for a foot and eye ritual. The five-minute foot massage ritual releases tension and refreshes the body. There is also an eye ritual to melt away eye stress, using the Irene Forte Skincare Olive Eye Cream.

Insider’s Tip: For us, wellness is about a 360-degree approach and never just limited to the spa, but available at every touch point of the hotel. Therefore, we have an array of different hotel wellness offerings:

Nourish: This is an expert approach to nutrition, bringing together contemporary thinking, education and seasonal, locally sourced ingredients for tailored Nourish menus which have been created by Celebrity Chef Fulvio Pierangelini in partnership with nutritionist Giancarlo Giammarresi. These menus are available in all hotel outlets as well as in guest rooms/suits, as long as they are requested. There is also the option to have a 'Nourish minibar', meaning that all the usual things in the mini bar are taken out and replaced with healthy treats.

Fitness: While we have a great gym and fitness classes on offer, we have also created something special: an in-room offering with Technogym. There is a roll-in Technogym fitness class with a QR code that connects you to a virtual trainer and a range of fitness videos. A Technogym bike is also available with on-demand and live classes, as well as full body workouts.  

Mind: this is all about a dedication to mental restoration and relaxation. The restful design of the hotel room helps promote this.We're also launching some in-room mindfulness videos with Terrence the Teacher, an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and Clinical Hypnotherapy therapist.

Community: We do a lot to promote the local community; the design of the hotel integrates all sorts of pieces from local artisans. Sicilian ceramics are featured throughout the spa, where we use ceramic trays, inhalation bowls, and foot bowls, as well as traditional Sicilian painted tiles for the floors. We use hand-plaited Sicilian 'coffe' as gift packaging, made from sustainable palm wood fibers and recycled fabrics. Sicilian hand-made bells start and end our spa treatments, and we also use volcanic stones gathered from Sicily's Mount Etna for many of our treatments. In addition, Palermo is one of my favorite cities; it's so rich with over 100 Churches, 12 UNESCO sites, and so much more. The Concierge team can definitely create some special itineraries for you.

Spa Snacks: We have a special Forte tea menu. These are a selection of organic infusions that contain the ingredients in Irene Forte Skincare:

• Roman Chamomile: relaxing properties

• Fennel Seeds: helps to flush out toxins

• Hibiscus: rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamin C

• Forte Mix: Roman chamomile, fennel seeds, and hibiscus- antioxidant and vitamin-rich

We have also created 'Nourish' menus that are part of our wellness offering, as mentioned above, and are available in all hotel outlets and in room. Michelin-starred chef Fulvio Pierangelini has created a health-focused menu of foods for Villa Igiea, in collaboration with nutritionist Giancarlo Giammarresi. The dishes are created with organic, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, and have been carefully prepared to protect their nutritional value for exquisite, imaginative creations that benefit the entire body.

Splurge Treatment: The Olive Oil Body Ritual (120 minutes). It's an indulgent head-to-toe treatment filled with Sicilian scents and natural remedies to nurture, nourish and revitalise. It starts with a relaxing foot soak, and then there is a full-body olive leaf and Trapani sea salt body scrub to leave skin silky smooth. Our farm's organic olive oil is then brushed all over the body before being wrapped up to let the oil’s nutrients absorb deeply into your skin. During the wrap, our signature facial pressure point massage is performed followed by an invigorating scalp massage. The treatment then finishes with a full-body massage using Irene Forte Skincare’s Sicilian body oils.

Unique Treatment: The Mediterranean Skin Diet Facial Ritual (120-minutes). It starts with a foot soak, followed by a rhythmic mini back massage accompanied by Sicilian music. The facial follows with a flowing application of our farm's organic olive oil to pre-cleanse and nourish the skin. It includes an indulgent triple-mask application, along with our triple-signature facial massage technique (one of the techniques include our volcanic stones from Mount Etna), to promote hydration and radiance. The multiple layering of active ingredients in this ritual rebalances, revitalizes, and deeply renews the skin, whilst the Sicilian music leaves you in a state of complete relaxation.

Insider’s Favorite: I love all of the treatments, because I created the spa menu! However, if pressed, I would go for two of the facials:

 We've just introduced some facials with the Zemits Machine. The 90-Minute Rigenerante Zemits Facial is a highly effective and regenerating facial, which integrates quadruple machine technology. A double cleanse, along with the use of an Ultrasonic Spatula, prepare the skin for what is to come. The use of Oxygen, Radiofrequency and LED, combined with a mask application and our signature facial massage, stimulate circulation, lift, and plump the skin.

I also love the Etna Age-Defying Facial. This is a 90-Minute powerful facial using hot and cold volcanic stones from Mount Etna to rebalance, revitalize, and relax. A double mask application promotes skin firmness, hydration, and radiance. Our signature triple facial massage technique stimulates circulation, oxygen, and nutrient flow to the skin, enhancing natural collagen production. It reveals a fresher, firmer and glowing complexion.

We’ve also launched therapies designed for those living and recovering from cancer. They have been created in partnership with The Amethyst Trust, a Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) approved provider. We have two treatments, which start with guided breastwork to relax mind and body:

Restorative Facial: This 60-minute replenishing facial is perfect for sensitive or fragile skin. It starts with a gentle cleansing, followed by our signature facial massage, and the application of a mask, serum and moisturiser. A soothing scalp, hand or foot massage releases tension and slowly unwinds a busy mind.
Nurturing Massage: This 60-minute soothing massage is designed to nurture and rebalance. Gently warmed Sicilian oils nourish and comfort the body, enabling inner calm and encouraging total relaxation.

Featured Products: As an Irene Forte Spa, we only have Irene Forte Skincare. Characterized as ‘Natural Science’, Irene Forte Skincare achieves outstanding results with natural ingredients in formulations shaped by 35 years of skincare research and development. With her Scientific Director, Dr. Francesca Ferri -a pioneer in the medical use of plant extracts to treat skin conditions- Irene has introduced novel ingredients in products which have shown outstanding activity in independent clinical trials. In skincare, the very best products show strength in gentleness. To achieve exceptional gentleness Irene Forte strictly limits “essential oils” which can easily irritate the skin, and all her fragrances are screened for allergens. Then, beyond normal skin testing, the products are also tested on volunteers with sensitive skin so that they can be clinically certified as “Suitable for sensitive skin”. For all Irene Forte products, the core ingredients come from her organic farm in Sicily, and alongside these, she has integrated zero-waste upcycled ingredients, made from nutrient-rich plant-based leftovers. Her insistence on plant-based sources means all of the ingredients are vegan.

 Irene Forte’s approach is distinguished by her high ethical standards that make sustainability a primary business focus. In recognition of these standards, Irene Forte Skincare is already a certified B-Corp and has been awarded the Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury for sustainable excellence.

For more information, visit the website and follow on Instagram: @villaigieapalermo

[Photos courtesy of Irene Forte Spa]

Irene Forte Spa, Palermo

Palermo Villa Igiea Salita

Belmonte 43, 90142

Palermo, Italy

irenefortespa.palermo@roccofortehotels.com