We stayed at the Hotel Relais for 3 nights. We loved Modica and the Hotel Relais. We had a very large room and it was very private. We were close to the terrace which has magnificent views of Modica. We ran into some car trouble and the hotel owner was invaluable to us - so helpful. The staff was friendly and so welcoming. Be aware there are a number of stairs to climb but it is well worth it. Modica is a wonderful place to stay and explore Ragusa, Nota, Modica, and the marina areas. I would recommed Modica and the surrounding area as a must see for any travellers to Sicily. Must try the Modica chocolate.

The Hotel Relais is the kind of small B&B one can find in Europe but almost never in the U.S.: centrally located, intimate, historic, and personal, plus affordable. The warm-hearted and kindly proprietor, Antonio, makes you feel as if you are a guest in his private home. He and his wife are always ready to assist, yet they are never intrusive. (And he makes a wonderful caffe latte.)

Our room, number 9, had an awesome view over this striking "vertical" town, and the roof terrace was a sublime place to sip some wine and admire the dramatically illuminated, stepped facades after sunset. The room was the darkest and quietest of all our Sicilian lodgings, and we slept very well.

We were also tickled to see that the basic continental breakfast was augmented by tiny pots of carob spread, in keeping with Modica's venerable chocolatiers who are quite proud of their ancient chocolate-making traditions.

Indeed, Modica is a special place that is not overrun with tourists. It is worth a visit for its dramatic location, Baroque architecture, and warm, generous citizens.

When my fiancé and I searched the internet for accommodation in the Sicilian city of Modica, we were captivated by the description of Hotel Relais - a family-run, small hotel conveniently located for exploring the historical town. Given the abundance of Italian signposting, we were surprised to locate the hotel quickly from our car, as it is near the local Teatro Garibaldi.

The hotel was lovingly restored by owner Antonio and his Florentine wife, keeping many of the original architectural features of the palazzo once occupied by a famous Sicilian Count. From the street, a mediaeval stone staircase leads the way to an imposing iron gate that gives the assurance of security. Don't be deceived by the small reception and dining room (only breakfast is provided) because once Antonio effortlessly lifted our heavy suitcase and led us to our room - 'Camera Diece' (Room 10) - we were blown away by the stunning view of Modica and the glory of its baroque churches. We also had access to a roof terrace where we enjoyed watching the sun set and also eating our lunch purchased from a nearby salumeria. The room had satellite TV (we never watched it because real life in Modica was much more interesting), air conditioning (didn't need it in late April) and a modern bathroom with shower. The room was very spacious and had a tall wooden-beam ceiling that bestowed good feng-shui because we slept really well during our 5 nights there. Waking up to the sound of swallows chirping, the distant din of traffic and the majestic church bells ringing was a wonderful start to the day.

The hotel provided a convenient base to explore Modica and although breakfast was quite simple (croissants with honey were our favourite), Antonio and his wife were a fountain of knowledge about the local area. They both spoke very good English while encouraging our efforts in speaking Italian and also gave us useful tips without us having to ask for them - particularly when we had booked to eat at the local Michelin star restaurant called Il Duomo in the nearby town of Ragusa Ibla. We would recommend the 'Fish-taster' menu at Il Duomo (approx 160 Euros for 2 people including wine) for a dining experience of a lifetime!

This holiday became even more special to us because we found our wedding rings in Ragusa - an impulsive, romantic purchase that will always remind us of the picture-postcard towns we visited and the people we met along the way, including our charming hosts at Hotel Relais.