Accessible only by ferry from the Sicilian port of Milazzo or Palermo, the journey by sea begins to prepare you for the stark beauty of the black-sand island which looks out onto smoking volcano, Stromboli. You may have been island hopping in the Aeolian Islands or on your way to find secluded bliss on Salina.

In a sleepy corner of Malfa, you’ll find pink and yellow pastel Hotel Signum encased in gardens scented by jasmine and citrus trees, wild rosemary and mint. The hotel exudes a simple effortless style, perfectly in keeping with its natural environment. Rooms are pared back, with tiled floors, wrought iron beds with a nod to retro in its lamps, dressers and mirrors. Some ground floor rooms have terraces, but we recommend opting for a deluxe sea view room, where your balcony will give you an unfettered vision of the sparkling sea.

Get closer to the Tyrrhenian Sea at the beach below the hotel or at nearby pebbly Pollara beach, which may be familiar to film buffs who’ve seen Il Postino, which was filmed here. Explore the volcanic coastline on a moped ride, stopping at clifftop pizzerias or take a boat trip to see Salina from afar and admire its secret lava-shaped cliffs. Back at the hotel experience extraordinary Italian home cooking: homemade pasta, fresh tuna, octopus salad, often sprinkled with island staples of olive oil, capers and sun-dried tomatoes.

Relaxation on this all-natural isle comes easily but in case you need some assistance the hotel’s spa is on hand to help. A series of stone pools offer a revitalising journey through hot, cold and bubbly water and treatments of massages, facials and scrubs use lemons, olive oil and prickly pear, plus there’s a copper bath for almond milk soaking. Take home the essence of Hotel Signum in its own range of skincare that fuses the alchemy between science and nature, and let the scents transport you to a place of stillness, warmth and replenishment.