Casa Serena & The Garden House

We were lucky enough to stay in the Garden House when Carl and Sylvie were in residence at Casa Serena, as they were excellent hosts, and they even took us on a lovely walk. The location is amazing, and we enjoyed the walks, and being able to cool down in the pool. The condition of the access road is quite degraded, but it is due to be improved very soon. Highly recommended.

We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Casa Serena with its cool comfortable interior and very pretty gardens and pool. We also loved the donkeys! The setting is stupendous on a wooded slope directly opposite Polizzi Generosa, an unspoilt medieval town whose hidden art treasures such as the Triptych and the Madonna’s robe by Dolce are notable. There’s excellent food too, from the gastronomia counter at Sausa’s in town, and neighbouring pizzeria to the sophisticated dishes of Baroon bistrot. Carl was the friendliest of hosts who thought of everything to make our stay enjoyable. We hope to return!

Fantastic gem in the countryside, pure peace and quiet away from the world. Carl and Sylvie are the most generous hosts and nothing is too much. Poppy and Rosa the donkeys are great fun for the children to feed and the swimming pool is a welcome escape from the heat. We had a lovely week exploring the countryside, hiking, visiting ancient monuments and eating and drinking far too much, just what everybody needs to reset in this busy, modern world.

For us, Casa Serena was truly a little piece of paradise. With stunning views, a magical pool and garden, it is tucked away near the special hilltop town of Polizzi Generosa, which we also fell in love with. Perfect if you’re looking for an authentic experience away from the trodden tourist path, but close enough to explore the coast and Palermo when you want. Carl and Sylvie are always on hand to help. Highly recommend.

Wonderful! Slightly reluctant to tell anyone about it to be honest. Firstly the area is as unspoiled as you could hope for. We didn't meet another English person for the whole time we were there. The views are stunning. We had 33 degrees but the house was cool. The pool was immaculate everyday. More than enough space for relaxing and dining. The garden is a delight. It's quiet but near enough (with a car) for beach days, trip into the mountains, other parts of the island. Well equipped kitchen etc, and the bookshelves are well stocked! We're going back, what more can I say?

Casa Serena is a delight. Deep in the Madonie Mountains and close by the remarkable small town of Polizzi Generosa, it offers striking beauty, excellent accommodation (the three of us were in the Garden Room - small but perfectly formed) and superb hosts. The photographs do not lie - if anything they understate - but what they don't show is the unobtrusive care of Carl and Sylvie for their guests and their obvious love for Casa Serena revealed in their own house and lovely garden. The slightly hairy drive up to the house is fully rewarded by all the wonders of Casa Serena. Go again? For sure!

Wonderful location, back to nature. Excellent information given on good restaurants and interesting places to visit. Loved our trip to feed Carl and Sylvia's donkeys . The Madonie Naional Park on our doorstep providing crystal clear spring water for the wonderful swimming pool. Overall a wonderful stay.

A wonderful stay at the garden house. We loved sunbathing by the pool, surrounded by mountain peaks and a stunning valley - Sicilian sun but with fresh hilltop air. The house is beautifully designed, comfortable and spotlessly clean. The huge garden is full of colourful flowers and quiet spaces. After a hot day out it was a perfect oasis. Carl provides great info on all the places to visit, restaurants and walks. Nearby Polizzi Generosa, a beautiful hilltop town, is tourist-free. Ask Nino the gardener about fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden. A real gem for us. We'll definitely return.

Well situated to retrace the Targa Floria racing route - the primary reason for our trip. Panoramic views all around from the Garden House which is very stylish, clean and well equipped. Our hosts, Londoners Carl and Sylvie, showed us around Casa Serena with its chic open planned ground floor arrangement with a curved terrace overlooking the valley and the town of Polizzi Generosa on the hilltop opposite. They know the area so well and have produced a brilliant and informative guide which was well thumbed and may have needed reprinting by the time we left!

We chose to stay in the Garden House because it looked like an ideal base for an active but relaxing week in Sicily. We were not disappointed. The house is perfectly sized for a couple and is equipped with everything you need to self cater. The owners, Carl and Sylvie, are delightful hosts and very generous with their knowledge of the local area - Carl's detailed walking guide was particularly helpful. The Madonie mountains are an unspoilt and remarkably unvisited part of Sicily, and we'd recommend them (and the local hill towns, such as Polizzi Generosa) to anyone, keen hikers especially.