The boutique Borgo Santo Pietro is a Relais & Chateaux property located in the rolling Tuscan countryside, under an hour's drive from Siena. The 20 individually styled rooms and suites here are stunningly elegant, outfitted with antique furniture, rustic wood-beamed ceilings, heavy crystal chandeliers, and luxurious bathrooms with tubs. On-site facilities include a lovely outdoor infinity pool, a spa using products created on-site, and sprawling gardens. There are also two restaurants, one of which is Michelin-starred and sources much of its ingredients from the property. While the location is excellent for those looking for a romantic countryside getaway, kids might find it boring. Families may be better off staying at Adler Thermae Spa & Relax Resort, which isn't quite as opulent but offers plenty of services and activities for children.
The boutique Borgo Santo Pietro is a Relais & Chateaux property located in the rolling Tuscan countryside, under an hour's drive from Siena. The 20 individually styled rooms and suites here are stunningly elegant, outfitted with antique furniture, rustic wood-beamed ceilings, heavy crystal chandeliers, and luxurious bathrooms with tubs. On-site facilities include a lovely outdoor infinity pool, a spa using products created on-site, and sprawling gardens. There are also two restaurants, one of which is Michelin-starred and sources much of its ingredients from the property. While the location is excellent for those looking for a romantic countryside getaway, kids might find it boring. Families may be better off staying at Adler Thermae Spa & Relax Resort, which isn't quite as opulent but offers plenty of services and activities for children.
Hotel Mercure Siracusa Prometeo is a modern upper-middle-range hotel opposite Syracuse’s superb Archaeological Park Neapolis, with its Greek theater and Roman amphitheater. As this is one of the city's newer hotels, there are a number of facilities here that many older Syracuse hotels lack. The small rooftop pool is a highlight, with views over the archaeological park, and there’s also a spa. The 93 light and clean rooms have a warm decor and black-tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers. The hotel draws business travelers, groups, and tourist couples. However, some travelers may feel like they’re missing out on fully immersing themselves in this historic city due to the hotel’s contemporary feel. For something with more character, Charme Hotel Henry's House is bursting with antique charm and is right in Ortigia.
Hotel Mercure Siracusa Prometeo is a modern upper-middle-range hotel opposite Syracuse’s superb Archaeological Park Neapolis, with its Greek theater and Roman amphitheater. As this is one of the city's newer hotels, there are a number of facilities here that many older Syracuse hotels lack. The small rooftop pool is a highlight, with views over the archaeological park, and there’s also a spa. The 93 light and clean rooms have a warm decor and black-tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers. The hotel draws business travelers, groups, and tourist couples. However, some travelers may feel like they’re missing out on fully immersing themselves in this historic city due to the hotel’s contemporary feel. For something with more character, Charme Hotel Henry's House is bursting with antique charm and is right in Ortigia.
Charme Hotel Henry's House is a lovingly restored 17th-century palazzo that's near the waterfront on ancient Ortigia Island. This quirky three-and-a-half-pearl guesthouse embodies Ortigia’s charm, and brims with elaborate details and antiques, from gilded Baroque sofas to mosaic staircases. The 12 ornate and eclectic rooms are individually designed, but all have antique beds, paintings by Sicilian artists, and mod cons like air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Downsides? The limited traffic zone location means that parking in the immediate area can be tricky. Also, aside from an excellent breakfast, features are few. This guesthouse draws tourist couples looking for a charming, romantic base from which to explore the ancient sights. For something with a similar vibe but extras like a restaurant, check out Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel instead, though it'll be pricier.
Charme Hotel Henry's House is a lovingly restored 17th-century palazzo that's near the waterfront on ancient Ortigia Island. This quirky three-and-a-half-pearl guesthouse embodies Ortigia’s charm, and brims with elaborate details and antiques, from gilded Baroque sofas to mosaic staircases. The 12 ornate and eclectic rooms are individually designed, but all have antique beds, paintings by Sicilian artists, and mod cons like air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Downsides? The limited traffic zone location means that parking in the immediate area can be tricky. Also, aside from an excellent breakfast, features are few. This guesthouse draws tourist couples looking for a charming, romantic base from which to explore the ancient sights. For something with a similar vibe but extras like a restaurant, check out Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel instead, though it'll be pricier.
The mid-range Musciara Siracusa Resort fronts a private stretch of man-made sandy beach, facing the ancient island of Ortigia. The beach is an impressive feature for a three-pearl hotel and other free extras range from buffet breakfasts to bikes and canoes. However, there's no pool or other resort features. Most of the guests at this 13-room hotel are couples, and the overall feel is cool and relaxed; the decor is a blend of traditional details and white-washed beach-chic accents. Airy rooms all have sea views plus air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The biggest downside is the run-down area around the hotel, and it's worth noting that kids under 14 aren't allowed in the main hotel. Charme Hotel Henry's House has a far more pleasant setting, right on Ortigia Island, but no beach.
The mid-range Musciara Siracusa Resort fronts a private stretch of man-made sandy beach, facing the ancient island of Ortigia. The beach is an impressive feature for a three-pearl hotel and other free extras range from buffet breakfasts to bikes and canoes. However, there's no pool or other resort features. Most of the guests at this 13-room hotel are couples, and the overall feel is cool and relaxed; the decor is a blend of traditional details and white-washed beach-chic accents. Airy rooms all have sea views plus air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The biggest downside is the run-down area around the hotel, and it's worth noting that kids under 14 aren't allowed in the main hotel. Charme Hotel Henry's House has a far more pleasant setting, right on Ortigia Island, but no beach.
The Antico Hotel Roma 1880 is a fitting hotel for one of Sicily’s most archeologically significant areas; it’s housed in an historic building, traces of which are seen in the exposed stone arches throughout and in the archaeological ruins visible through glass floor panels in the interior courtyard and meeting room. It’s located in the heart of Ortigia, Syracuse’s historic center, right next to the Duomo, on a pedestrian street just off the picturesque Piazza Minerva. The hotel’s restaurant serves dinner in the square outside the hotel in the warmer months, and room rates include a free buffet breakfast and bicycles to borrow. While decor is fairly basic in some of the lower-tier rooms, others have beamed ceilings and private, high-walled patios. Rates are lower than the seaside Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel, which is managed by the same company and is slightly more luxurious.
The Antico Hotel Roma 1880 is a fitting hotel for one of Sicily’s most archeologically significant areas; it’s housed in an historic building, traces of which are seen in the exposed stone arches throughout and in the archaeological ruins visible through glass floor panels in the interior courtyard and meeting room. It’s located in the heart of Ortigia, Syracuse’s historic center, right next to the Duomo, on a pedestrian street just off the picturesque Piazza Minerva. The hotel’s restaurant serves dinner in the square outside the hotel in the warmer months, and room rates include a free buffet breakfast and bicycles to borrow. While decor is fairly basic in some of the lower-tier rooms, others have beamed ceilings and private, high-walled patios. Rates are lower than the seaside Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel, which is managed by the same company and is slightly more luxurious.
Full of the charm its name promises, the Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel is a welcoming boutique hotel on an historic seafront square in the heart of Syracuse's Citta Vecchia, on the tiny island of Ortigia. The intimate, 30-room hotel, a combination of two restored historic buildings, blends ancient atmosphere with a low-key vibe. While rooms and suites are not cheap, an excellent buffet breakfast with hot made-to-order dishes comes free, as do soft drinks from the minibars and bicycle rentals. Parking in the immediate area can be tricky, but there’s a large parking lot up the road, and the hotel's location puts it within walking distance of the city's many archeological and other tourist sights.
Full of the charm its name promises, the Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel is a welcoming boutique hotel on an historic seafront square in the heart of Syracuse's Citta Vecchia, on the tiny island of Ortigia. The intimate, 30-room hotel, a combination of two restored historic buildings, blends ancient atmosphere with a low-key vibe. While rooms and suites are not cheap, an excellent buffet breakfast with hot made-to-order dishes comes free, as do soft drinks from the minibars and bicycle rentals. Parking in the immediate area can be tricky, but there’s a large parking lot up the road, and the hotel's location puts it within walking distance of the city's many archeological and other tourist sights.
The Grand Hotel Minareto is a three-and-a-half-pearl village-style property on the waterfront in the Plemmirio Marine Nature Reserve. This 97-room hotel is ready-made for relaxation -- hammocks are strung between palm trees, there's a private sandy beach, sun terraces are tiered down the cliffside, and a tower-top treatment room pampers couples. Style is a bit of a mixed bag, though. Rooms and suites are dated, while villas have a contemporary look, and all include free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Downsides seem to depend on the day, with private events, limited space on the free shuttle bus, and poor evening food heading up the complaints. It'll be hard to top the beautiful natural setting here. But those who prefer a less remote location could check out the Grand Hotel Ortigia instead.
The Grand Hotel Minareto is a three-and-a-half-pearl village-style property on the waterfront in the Plemmirio Marine Nature Reserve. This 97-room hotel is ready-made for relaxation -- hammocks are strung between palm trees, there's a private sandy beach, sun terraces are tiered down the cliffside, and a tower-top treatment room pampers couples. Style is a bit of a mixed bag, though. Rooms and suites are dated, while villas have a contemporary look, and all include free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Downsides seem to depend on the day, with private events, limited space on the free shuttle bus, and poor evening food heading up the complaints. It'll be hard to top the beautiful natural setting here. But those who prefer a less remote location could check out the Grand Hotel Ortigia instead.
Housed in a renovated 19th-century villa 15 minutes outside Syracuse, along the southern Sicilian coast, the Hotel Principe di Fitalia is a well-located and relaxing retreat. The hotel provides a free shuttle to its private area on the Lido Le Nereidi beach (eight minutes away), the historic center of Ortigia in Syracuse, and Syracuse's archaeological zone. There’s also a free-form outdoor pool, a gym situated on a terrace, and a restaurant that serves a top-notch buffet breakfast. Room decor is disappointing, and the beach is more of a dock, but the overall feel is relaxed and comfortable.
Housed in a renovated 19th-century villa 15 minutes outside Syracuse, along the southern Sicilian coast, the Hotel Principe di Fitalia is a well-located and relaxing retreat. The hotel provides a free shuttle to its private area on the Lido Le Nereidi beach (eight minutes away), the historic center of Ortigia in Syracuse, and Syracuse's archaeological zone. There’s also a free-form outdoor pool, a gym situated on a terrace, and a restaurant that serves a top-notch buffet breakfast. Room decor is disappointing, and the beach is more of a dock, but the overall feel is relaxed and comfortable.
The classic four-pearl Grand Hotel Villa Politi is a striking property that's aging gracefully, set along the edge of one of Syracuse’s famed archaeological sites. The former private residence dates to 1862, and many of the original architectural details are still visible throughout. While charming, the property lacks a contemporary, polished look, and it could generally use a refresh. However, amenities are modern, and a highlight among features is Syracuse’s largest outdoor pool. There's also speedy Wi-Fi and a private beach. The 100 guest rooms and suites are traditional, with an understated elegance, and many offer sea views. All come with AC, flat-screen TVs, and well-stocked minibars, but there are no kettles or coffeemakers. Guests seeking a true luxury property can consider Grand Hotel Ortigia.
The classic four-pearl Grand Hotel Villa Politi is a striking property that's aging gracefully, set along the edge of one of Syracuse’s famed archaeological sites. The former private residence dates to 1862, and many of the original architectural details are still visible throughout. While charming, the property lacks a contemporary, polished look, and it could generally use a refresh. However, amenities are modern, and a highlight among features is Syracuse’s largest outdoor pool. There's also speedy Wi-Fi and a private beach. The 100 guest rooms and suites are traditional, with an understated elegance, and many offer sea views. All come with AC, flat-screen TVs, and well-stocked minibars, but there are no kettles or coffeemakers. Guests seeking a true luxury property can consider Grand Hotel Ortigia.
The Hotel Borgo Pantano is a rural boutique retreat that's a 20-minute drive from historic Ortigia Island. This romantic four-pearl property resides in a tricked out 19th-century farmhouse. It's surrounded by sprawling gardens where hammocks are strung between citrus trees and billowing cabanas ring the large pool. Indoors, a restaurant serves top-notch breakfasts and authentic Sicilian dishes. The 32 chic and simple rooms are named after famous Sicilian poets and artists. They include amenities like air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. This is a great value for a relaxing couples’ escape, but renting a car is essential and summer months mean lots of families. Travelers wanting to be closer to Syracuse’s historic center should check out the intimate Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel instead, which is right on Ortigia Island.
The Hotel Borgo Pantano is a rural boutique retreat that's a 20-minute drive from historic Ortigia Island. This romantic four-pearl property resides in a tricked out 19th-century farmhouse. It's surrounded by sprawling gardens where hammocks are strung between citrus trees and billowing cabanas ring the large pool. Indoors, a restaurant serves top-notch breakfasts and authentic Sicilian dishes. The 32 chic and simple rooms are named after famous Sicilian poets and artists. They include amenities like air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. This is a great value for a relaxing couples’ escape, but renting a car is essential and summer months mean lots of families. Travelers wanting to be closer to Syracuse’s historic center should check out the intimate Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel instead, which is right on Ortigia Island.