This very large resort, built in the '70s, is often frequented by families and groups traveling with children. The rooms are dorm-like and basic (but relatively spacious). The property offers a variety of daytime activities, including mini-golf, tennis, and outdoor bowling. The main attractions are arguably the extensive system of waterslides and the Olympic-size pool. Many guests have commented that both the rooms as well as the common areas are rundown from the high amount of traffic throughout the property.
This very large resort, built in the '70s, is often frequented by families and groups traveling with children. The rooms are dorm-like and basic (but relatively spacious). The property offers a variety of daytime activities, including mini-golf, tennis, and outdoor bowling. The main attractions are arguably the extensive system of waterslides and the Olympic-size pool. Many guests have commented that both the rooms as well as the common areas are rundown from the high amount of traffic throughout the property.
The Florio Park Hotel, a 210-room property on the northwest coast of Sicily, is a solid mid-level option that would appeal to a range of travelers. An included breakfast buffet and a restaurant offer good but not particularly memorable European fare. Rooms are clean and decently sized, though basic. There are tons of features, including tennis courts and a spa, but the private beach is likely the most appealing feature.
The Florio Park Hotel, a 210-room property on the northwest coast of Sicily, is a solid mid-level option that would appeal to a range of travelers. An included breakfast buffet and a restaurant offer good but not particularly memorable European fare. Rooms are clean and decently sized, though basic. There are tons of features, including tennis courts and a spa, but the private beach is likely the most appealing feature.
Hotel Villaggio Perla del Golfo is a Sicilian resort with 162 rooms spread out over six two-story buildings. Its beautiful private cove, Olympic-sized pool, and pretty gardens, along with its proximity to the airport, make the property a good choice for travelers looking to relax and enjoy the sun and scenery. While the staff will arrange tours, it's best to have a car to drive to the city of Palermo and other local sights. Families with young kids will appreciate the well-run kids’ club. Keep in mind that Italian and Sicilian are the primary languages spoken at the hotel.
Hotel Villaggio Perla del Golfo is a Sicilian resort with 162 rooms spread out over six two-story buildings. Its beautiful private cove, Olympic-sized pool, and pretty gardens, along with its proximity to the airport, make the property a good choice for travelers looking to relax and enjoy the sun and scenery. While the staff will arrange tours, it's best to have a car to drive to the city of Palermo and other local sights. Families with young kids will appreciate the well-run kids’ club. Keep in mind that Italian and Sicilian are the primary languages spoken at the hotel.
The luxurious Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea is a family-friendly boutique resort offering exceptional quality and service. The hotel’s 71 rooms and suites are beautifully decorated with pale woods, marble, and fine Sicilian art. Nearly all have a furnished balcony facing the one of the prettiest bays in Taormina. The hotel’s private beach is set up with a bar and cushioned loungers; cabanas can be rented for a fee. There are free boat rides in the summer and a heated pool with its own bar. The hotel’s indoor/outdoor restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- free for guests, breakfast is an ample spread of eggs, bacon, pastries, granita, and more. For this level of quality, the only hotel that can really compare is Sant’Andrea’s sister hotel, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, but it lacks this hotel's spot by the sea. Travelers who want to be at the beach for considerably less money should check out VOI Grand Hotel Mazzaro Sea Palace, an upscale hotel located just on the other end of the bay.
The luxurious Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea is a family-friendly boutique resort offering exceptional quality and service. The hotel’s 71 rooms and suites are beautifully decorated with pale woods, marble, and fine Sicilian art. Nearly all have a furnished balcony facing the one of the prettiest bays in Taormina. The hotel’s private beach is set up with a bar and cushioned loungers; cabanas can be rented for a fee. There are free boat rides in the summer and a heated pool with its own bar. The hotel’s indoor/outdoor restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- free for guests, breakfast is an ample spread of eggs, bacon, pastries, granita, and more. For this level of quality, the only hotel that can really compare is Sant’Andrea’s sister hotel, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, but it lacks this hotel's spot by the sea. Travelers who want to be at the beach for considerably less money should check out VOI Grand Hotel Mazzaro Sea Palace, an upscale hotel located just on the other end of the bay.
Hotel Baia Azzurra is a three-pearl property overlooking the Bay of Mazzaro that's a one-minute walk from the beach. Its 50 guest rooms have simple decor, with pale hues and white furniture, and most offer shared or private balconies that look out to the bay. All units are equipped with AC, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but they lack kettles. The hotel features two attractive terraces -- one at lobby-level, and another on the rooftop -- which offer sweeping views of the water. There's also a free hot breakfast, and a restaurant that serves international fare and Italian specialties. Travelers who want to splurge for a hotel with a pool and rooms that are more upscale might consider the nearby Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea.
Hotel Baia Azzurra is a three-pearl property overlooking the Bay of Mazzaro that's a one-minute walk from the beach. Its 50 guest rooms have simple decor, with pale hues and white furniture, and most offer shared or private balconies that look out to the bay. All units are equipped with AC, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but they lack kettles. The hotel features two attractive terraces -- one at lobby-level, and another on the rooftop -- which offer sweeping views of the water. There's also a free hot breakfast, and a restaurant that serves international fare and Italian specialties. Travelers who want to splurge for a hotel with a pool and rooms that are more upscale might consider the nearby Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea.
This simple beachfront property abutting a narrow strip of clean sand on the bay of Porto Azzurro offers homey rooms and short-term apartments. The motel-like property, situated a seven-minute drive outside of the small town of Capoliveri, is particularly family-friendly, offering a kids entertainment team, the option of full-board rates, and the inclusion of an on-site convenience store. Additional amenities include an outdoor pool with adjacent hot tub and kids pool, and nearby water sports. Noisy evening entertainment, plenty of mosquitos, and a general air of shabbiness are notable downsides. The beach is better than the small man-made one at the Grand Hotel Elba International, however.
This simple beachfront property abutting a narrow strip of clean sand on the bay of Porto Azzurro offers homey rooms and short-term apartments. The motel-like property, situated a seven-minute drive outside of the small town of Capoliveri, is particularly family-friendly, offering a kids entertainment team, the option of full-board rates, and the inclusion of an on-site convenience store. Additional amenities include an outdoor pool with adjacent hot tub and kids pool, and nearby water sports. Noisy evening entertainment, plenty of mosquitos, and a general air of shabbiness are notable downsides. The beach is better than the small man-made one at the Grand Hotel Elba International, however.
Despite the name, the Grand Hotel Elba isn't particularly grand; it's a dated, mid-range hotel with 131 plain, somewhat spartan rooms. A small funicular brings guests to a modest, sometimes crowded strip of sand. While the private beach does not share quite the charm of a nearby, nestled site like Barabarca, it is clean and comfortably furnished with lounge chairs, a wood deck, and fabric parasols. Two pools on the premises offer great sea views, and there are a number of kid-oriented offerings, including menu options and play areas. For many, the beautiful setting and family-friendliness are more important than the hotel's lack of ambience. For a hotel with a larger beach, consider Hotel Capo Sud or Hotel Hermitage.
Despite the name, the Grand Hotel Elba isn't particularly grand; it's a dated, mid-range hotel with 131 plain, somewhat spartan rooms. A small funicular brings guests to a modest, sometimes crowded strip of sand. While the private beach does not share quite the charm of a nearby, nestled site like Barabarca, it is clean and comfortably furnished with lounge chairs, a wood deck, and fabric parasols. Two pools on the premises offer great sea views, and there are a number of kid-oriented offerings, including menu options and play areas. For many, the beautiful setting and family-friendliness are more important than the hotel's lack of ambience. For a hotel with a larger beach, consider Hotel Capo Sud or Hotel Hermitage.
Set within a restored ancient Benedictine abbey, the 29-room Relais Abbazia Santa Anastasia offers a rustic, luxury experience amidst nearly 200 private acres of vineyards within Sicily’s Madonie hills. The hotel retains much of its historical character and the abbey’s own wines are served in its bar and two on-site restaurants. Modern features like a spa and outdoor pool defy the rural setting. Guest rooms are clean and spacious, with a country charm, though we did notice a bit of wear and tear that wasn’t intentional. This is easily the best hotel in Castelbuono and the setting is the stuff of postcards, but guests interested in a similarly historic, high-end experience along the coast should consider San Domenico Palace Hotel near Taormina.
Set within a restored ancient Benedictine abbey, the 29-room Relais Abbazia Santa Anastasia offers a rustic, luxury experience amidst nearly 200 private acres of vineyards within Sicily’s Madonie hills. The hotel retains much of its historical character and the abbey’s own wines are served in its bar and two on-site restaurants. Modern features like a spa and outdoor pool defy the rural setting. Guest rooms are clean and spacious, with a country charm, though we did notice a bit of wear and tear that wasn’t intentional. This is easily the best hotel in Castelbuono and the setting is the stuff of postcards, but guests interested in a similarly historic, high-end experience along the coast should consider San Domenico Palace Hotel near Taormina.
The beachfront Delfino Beach Hotel is located in an isolated area, a 13-minute drive from the town of Marsala. The 88 simple, if outdated, guest rooms are housed either in the main hotel building or in one of the three detached structures. The beach is beautiful, but can get crowded and there are fees to use lounge chairs and umbrellas. The Delfino also has two outdoor pools and a beachfront restaurant and organizes daily excursions for an additional fee. Overall, prices are low for a mid-range hotel on the beach.
The beachfront Delfino Beach Hotel is located in an isolated area, a 13-minute drive from the town of Marsala. The 88 simple, if outdated, guest rooms are housed either in the main hotel building or in one of the three detached structures. The beach is beautiful, but can get crowded and there are fees to use lounge chairs and umbrellas. The Delfino also has two outdoor pools and a beachfront restaurant and organizes daily excursions for an additional fee. Overall, prices are low for a mid-range hotel on the beach.
Situated on 37 lush acres outside Marsala, Visio Resort features beautifully landscaped gardens of flowering shrubs and plants, bordered by an artificial lake. It has a serene, three-hole golf course, putting green and driving range, plus a large swimming pool and children's pool. A tennis court and soccer field are also on-site and both are well-maintained. Rooms are fairly pleasant, come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, and open to balconies. The resort is not especially upscale (despite its advertised four-star status), but it's a nice spot to relax in the Sicilian countryside.
Situated on 37 lush acres outside Marsala, Visio Resort features beautifully landscaped gardens of flowering shrubs and plants, bordered by an artificial lake. It has a serene, three-hole golf course, putting green and driving range, plus a large swimming pool and children's pool. A tennis court and soccer field are also on-site and both are well-maintained. Rooms are fairly pleasant, come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, and open to balconies. The resort is not especially upscale (despite its advertised four-star status), but it's a nice spot to relax in the Sicilian countryside.