Traversa Tonnara Terrauzza 51, Syracuse, Italy
Housed in a restored 19th-century villa
Free shuttles to the beach, Ortigia, and Syracuse's archeological park
Outdoor pool with food and drink service
Large gym with views
Free breakfast; half-board rates also available
Traditional Sicilian restaurant serves tasty fare
Many rooms have private patios
Private beach area
A little remote and difficult to find
Fee for Wi-Fi
Beach area is a dock with loungers
Rooms are a bit small and decor is disappointing
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.
Scene
Romantic, historic property with colorful and serene gardens
The historic Hotel Principe di Fitalia is accessed by a gate, which opens onto sprawling gardens of palm trees and flowers, criss-crossed by stone pathways and filled with terraces with sitting areas. Inside, the atmosphere has a homey vibe, and rooms and common areas alike are filled with antiques and colorful ceramics, but the overall look can feel a bit dated. Intricately tiled floors mirror historic stone arches above. The outdoor restaurant, next to the pool, is set under a canopy of bright blue fabric, and is liveliest in mornings, during breakfast. During the day, couples, families, and other independent travelers tend to go exploring in the surrounding area, so the pool and grounds are quiet and relaxing.
Location
In a quiet area, surrounded by natural beauty, that's 15 minutes outside of Syracuse and eight minutes from the beach
The Hotel Principe di Fitalia is set amid the Sicilian countryside, in the Plemmirio Nature Reserve; the immediate area is quiet and green, and the only neighbors are other hotels and private villas. The beach is approximately eight minutes away, the Neapolis Archaeological Park is a 16-minute drive, and Ortigia, the historic center of Syracuse, is a 20-minute drive from the property. All are accessed via free shuttle from the hotel. The hotel also has bicycles available for guests to borrow, which many use to get to the beach as well. The hotel is about 50 minutes from the Catania Fontanarossa Airport.
Rooms
Small with dated decor and modern bathrooms; many come with small private terraces
The 21 air-conditioned rooms at the Hotel Principe di Fitalia are simple and some can be small; all are decorated with colorful (dated) textiles and classic or quirky wood furniture. Rooms range from the more intimate Classic Rooms to the larger and more decadent Junior Suites and Family Rooms. The blue-and-gray-titled bathrooms have large vanities with plenty of storage space and stall showers. All rooms have small flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, and hairdryers. Most rooms have small outdoor terraces with tables and chairs -- some with better views that others.
Features
Outdoor pool, restaurant, and free shuttle service to the beach
There’s a large, outdoor freeform pool, surrounded by hedges and plenty of lounge chairs, and free drinks and snacks are offered throughout the day. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast in the mornings and traditional Sicilian dishes for lunch and dinner. The hotel offers a free shuttle service to its private landing at the Lido Le Nereidi beach, as well as to Ortigia (Syracuse's historic center) and Syracuse's archaeological park; the beach shuttle runs upon request while the other shuttles run on a schedule. A good-sized fitness center is situated on the terrace with floor-to-ceiling windows for taking in the view, and there's a basic spa available. Table tennis is on-site, and mountain bikes are available for guests to use. Parking is free and airport transfers are available for an extra fee, as is Wi-Fi.