According to data from Knight Frank, the branded residences sector is one of the fastest growing areas of the property market, with schemes rising from 169 in 2011 to 611 today, and projected to exceed 1,000 by 2030 – alongside a surge in unit numbers from 27,000 to over 162,000. Take even the briefest look at what they’re offering and it becomes abundantly clear why demand for branded residences is soaring. With many of the world’s best combining privacy with all the benefits of a five-star hotel, these turnkey homes encourage guests to fly and flop. 

Removing the hassle of maintenance and security, branded residences allow owners to have peace of mind. And where better to soak in the serenity than at one of Sicily’s best luxury resorts? Step inside Rocco Forte’s 230-hectare coastal resort, Verdura, home to a five-star hotel, private beach, Irene Forte spa, 10 restaurants and bars, championship golf courses and, perhaps most importantly, a four-bedroom private villa which came on the market earlier this month. 

Boasting an elevated position with panoramic views of the Sicilian landscape, this turnkey branded residence has been designed by ASA Studio Albanese and Rocco Forte’s director of design, Olga Polizzi, to reflect the local architecture. The villa’s natural palette of terracotta, ochre, local stone and wood creates a harmonious connection with the surrounding landscape, while its interior spaces offer a contemporary take on island living.

Highlights include a stunning indoor-outdoor terrace, leading out onto a pergola which overlooks the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the fairways of the golf course. Inside, an expansive living room with fireplace offers a great space for entertaining, accompanied by a fully equipped kitchen and generously sized en suite guest bedroom on the ground floor, while on the first floor, there are three further en suite bedrooms and an additional terrace. 

It is not only the design which speaks volumes, but the area. Verdura is only 90 minutes from Palermo, which offers flights to London in under three hours. Nearby Agrigento, Italy’s 2025 Capital of Culture, is home to the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO site of Ancient Greek architecture. Just a short drive away is the Villa Romana del Casale, famed for its impressive Roman mosaics and the Greek-founded port town of Sciacca known for its cuisine, 16^th century ramparts, and Norman churches. 

For those with golf courses on their second home checklist, Verdura Resort is one of Italy’s top golfing destinations. The resort’s clubhouse, unveiled last year, is set beside the historic 16^th century Saracen Tower and sits between the award-winning West Shore and East Links courses. These were meticulously designed by award-winning architects Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, and villa owners enjoy a complimentary two-year membership to the championship golf courses. 

Listed for €4,240,000, visit roccofortehotels.com

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