Resort Santa Maria

Name: Resort Santa Maria
Address: Marsala (Birgi Vecchi), Sicily, Italy, Lo Stagnone & Marsala, Sicily

About the Hotel

This is the "Game Changer" of Lo Stagnone. While 95% of accommodations in the area are small B&Bs or apartments where you have to cook yourself, Resort Santa Maria offers true hotel service. It features modern rooms, a proper reception, and crucially, a large swimming pool surrounded by a manicured garden. It also has a well-rated restaurant/bar on-site, meaning you don't have to drive into town every night to get a good Italian dinner.

About the Kite Spot

You are directly on the Lo Stagnone lagoon (North side, Birgi Vecchi area). The hotel has its own private grassy area where you can pump your kite cleanly (no mud/dust) and launch directly. The water in front is perfectly flat and shallow (waist-deep), making it arguably the easiest place in Europe to learn or practice freestyle. The biggest luxury here is the "Zero Commute". In Sicily, most kiters have to load the car and drive 15 minutes to the spot every morning. Here, you wake up, look out the window to check the wind, and walk 50 meters to the water. You optimize your time on the water to the maximum.

For Families & Non-Kiters

This is widely considered the best option for families in Marsala. While one parent is kitesurfing, the rest of the family isn't stuck on a windy, sandy beach without facilities. They can relax by the pool (sheltered from the wind), enjoy a cappuccino at the bar, or play in the secure garden. The lagoon water is also warm and safe for kids to play in the shallows. Plus, the historic town of Marsala is just a short drive away for cultural trips.