Therasia Resort is a seasonal four-pearl hotel in a secluded location at the northern tip of Vulcano overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its 97 guest rooms feel a bit dated, and none have coffeemakers, but all come with flat-screen TVs, minibars with free items, and free Wi-Fi, and some have balconies with sea views. Features are impressive -- particularly the Michelin-starred restaurant that serves innovative Sicilian cuisine -- and there are two sea-facing saltwater infinity pools, a full-service spa with a thermal pool, sauna, and steam room, and a fitness center. The main drawbacks are its distance from the ferry, and a beach that's picturesque but rocky. Travelers looking for a stay with a sandy beach can consider The Hotel Mari del Sud Resort, which is also closer to the ferry.
Therasia Resort is a seasonal four-pearl hotel in a secluded location at the northern tip of Vulcano overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its 97 guest rooms feel a bit dated, and none have coffeemakers, but all come with flat-screen TVs, minibars with free items, and free Wi-Fi, and some have balconies with sea views. Features are impressive -- particularly the Michelin-starred restaurant that serves innovative Sicilian cuisine -- and there are two sea-facing saltwater infinity pools, a full-service spa with a thermal pool, sauna, and steam room, and a fitness center. The main drawbacks are its distance from the ferry, and a beach that's picturesque but rocky. Travelers looking for a stay with a sandy beach can consider The Hotel Mari del Sud Resort, which is also closer to the ferry.
Arathena Rocks Hotel is a very quiet, low-key property at the southern tip of the Giardini Naxos beach resort. The decor found throughout its common areas and 51 rooms will strike some guests as dark, heavy, and outdated, and others as lovely, charming, and unique. All rooms feature air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs, though this is a great place to splurge for a beach-facing room, as they overlook the dramatic sea and feature balconies, while rear rooms have no view and only French balconies. Hotel features include a restaurant serving all meals (a daily breakfast buffet is included in the rates), a saltwater pool, and a well-groomed lawn with seating, all facing the ocean. For a more modern property closer to the action of Taormina, consider VOI Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay.
Arathena Rocks Hotel is a very quiet, low-key property at the southern tip of the Giardini Naxos beach resort. The decor found throughout its common areas and 51 rooms will strike some guests as dark, heavy, and outdated, and others as lovely, charming, and unique. All rooms feature air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs, though this is a great place to splurge for a beach-facing room, as they overlook the dramatic sea and feature balconies, while rear rooms have no view and only French balconies. Hotel features include a restaurant serving all meals (a daily breakfast buffet is included in the rates), a saltwater pool, and a well-groomed lawn with seating, all facing the ocean. For a more modern property closer to the action of Taormina, consider VOI Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay.
The 296-room RG Naxos Hotel is a three-pearl option right on the beach and within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and shops. It's a five-minute drive outside Giardini Naxos, and there's a nearby bus station for getting to Taormina and other spots farther afield. Rooms are spacious and classically decorated, though the look is dated. In-room features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, and some have furnished balconies with beautiful sea views. The outdoor pool overlooks the private beach, and there's an indoor pool in the spa. However, fees for everything from towels to Wi-Fi add up. Travelers looking for lower rates could check out the nearby Atahotel Naxos Beach, which also has an outdoor pool and private beach, as well as a kids' club and recreational options.
The 296-room RG Naxos Hotel is a three-pearl option right on the beach and within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and shops. It's a five-minute drive outside Giardini Naxos, and there's a nearby bus station for getting to Taormina and other spots farther afield. Rooms are spacious and classically decorated, though the look is dated. In-room features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, and some have furnished balconies with beautiful sea views. The outdoor pool overlooks the private beach, and there's an indoor pool in the spa. However, fees for everything from towels to Wi-Fi add up. Travelers looking for lower rates could check out the nearby Atahotel Naxos Beach, which also has an outdoor pool and private beach, as well as a kids' club and recreational options.
The 642-room Atahotel Naxos Beach is a three-pearl resort situated on the beach, about a 20-minute drive outside Taormina. The grounds are rich with flowering trees and olive groves, and the sea and Mount Etna are just beyond. Rooms and suites are split between the main building and villas dotting the grounds. Some still have tube TVs and old-style bedspreads, but they include mini-fridges and safes. Furnished balconies have stunning views of the sea or Mount Etna in select units. Five restaurants and several bars are available, as are all-inclusive rates. Activities are abundant for kids and adults, and there are four pools (including a kids' option) plus a private beach area. Travelers looking for a less hectic option could check out the quaint Hotel Palladio instead, which only has 19 rooms.
The 642-room Atahotel Naxos Beach is a three-pearl resort situated on the beach, about a 20-minute drive outside Taormina. The grounds are rich with flowering trees and olive groves, and the sea and Mount Etna are just beyond. Rooms and suites are split between the main building and villas dotting the grounds. Some still have tube TVs and old-style bedspreads, but they include mini-fridges and safes. Furnished balconies have stunning views of the sea or Mount Etna in select units. Five restaurants and several bars are available, as are all-inclusive rates. Activities are abundant for kids and adults, and there are four pools (including a kids' option) plus a private beach area. Travelers looking for a less hectic option could check out the quaint Hotel Palladio instead, which only has 19 rooms.
Located across from Giardini Naxos' widest beach, this 104-room budget hotel appeals to mostly older travelers looking for value and views of the sea and Taormina. Sporting Baia (also known as Hotel Villa Athena) has a decent range of on-site facilities including a buffet/fixed menu restaurant, a hair salon, and a lobby bar with a beach-facing terrace. The most impressive feature is the spa, which has a heated pool, sauna, Roman and Turkish baths, a salt room, and treatments like massages and facials. Rooms, like the rest of the hotel, are quite dated, but come with all the basics such as TVs, mini-fridges, A/C, and safes. Many rooms have a balcony overlooking the main street and sea. The entire hotel -- interior, exterior, rooms, common spaces -- feels like a time capsule of the 1960s. Guests looking for more charm and less retro funk could try Hotel Palladio, converted from a late 19th-century residence.
Located across from Giardini Naxos' widest beach, this 104-room budget hotel appeals to mostly older travelers looking for value and views of the sea and Taormina. Sporting Baia (also known as Hotel Villa Athena) has a decent range of on-site facilities including a buffet/fixed menu restaurant, a hair salon, and a lobby bar with a beach-facing terrace. The most impressive feature is the spa, which has a heated pool, sauna, Roman and Turkish baths, a salt room, and treatments like massages and facials. Rooms, like the rest of the hotel, are quite dated, but come with all the basics such as TVs, mini-fridges, A/C, and safes. Many rooms have a balcony overlooking the main street and sea. The entire hotel -- interior, exterior, rooms, common spaces -- feels like a time capsule of the 1960s. Guests looking for more charm and less retro funk could try Hotel Palladio, converted from a late 19th-century residence.
The 220-room Caesar Palace is not exactly regal but offers guests a resort-like option outside of the center of Giardini Naxos. A few minutes’ drive from the town center, the hotel is nestled in the suburban hillside, with little entertainment beyond the property. Still, the Caesar Palace runs a shuttle to the beach and there are nearby buses to the rest of Giardini Naxos and Taormina, so there's no reason to feel too isolated. The hotel has a big pool with two infinity edges as well as a separate (and large) children's pool. Geared towards families, there may be a lot of children running about during the high seasons, but the palace's entertainment and mini-club teams attempt to keep kids entertained throughout the day.
The 220-room Caesar Palace is not exactly regal but offers guests a resort-like option outside of the center of Giardini Naxos. A few minutes’ drive from the town center, the hotel is nestled in the suburban hillside, with little entertainment beyond the property. Still, the Caesar Palace runs a shuttle to the beach and there are nearby buses to the rest of Giardini Naxos and Taormina, so there's no reason to feel too isolated. The hotel has a big pool with two infinity edges as well as a separate (and large) children's pool. Geared towards families, there may be a lot of children running about during the high seasons, but the palace's entertainment and mini-club teams attempt to keep kids entertained throughout the day.
This quaint, family-owned value property overlooking the Mediterranean consists of a collection of 23 dammusi, traditional Sicilian stone houses. All of the charming units have safes and radios, but they lack TVs and Wi-FI is only available in some common areas. The property is located on the bay of Cala Creta with access to a rocky beach, and the hotel also runs a shuttle to some of the island’s other beaches and the airport. The location outside of Lampedusa’s busy tourist area makes for a restful stay, though travelers looking to explore the island may want to rent a car or scooter. Those looking to be closer to the main town can try El Mosaico del Sol, which has similar rates and a pool, but lacks the same charming style.
This quaint, family-owned value property overlooking the Mediterranean consists of a collection of 23 dammusi, traditional Sicilian stone houses. All of the charming units have safes and radios, but they lack TVs and Wi-FI is only available in some common areas. The property is located on the bay of Cala Creta with access to a rocky beach, and the hotel also runs a shuttle to some of the island’s other beaches and the airport. The location outside of Lampedusa’s busy tourist area makes for a restful stay, though travelers looking to explore the island may want to rent a car or scooter. Those looking to be closer to the main town can try El Mosaico del Sol, which has similar rates and a pool, but lacks the same charming style.
Named for the turquoise-colored bay it fronts, the 70-room Hotel Baia Turchese is a two-pearl hotel right on Lampedusa's popular Guitgia Beach. The hotel's seafood restaurant and outdoor bar have beautiful sea views, as do some of the large, air-conditioned rooms. However, decor and style are vintage, and not in a good way. There's a bit of wear on furniture and the blue-on-blue-on-blue decor looks beamed from an earlier decade (or two). The hotel offers free airport transfers, but there’s no pool and Wi-Fi costs extra. Travelers may want to compare rates at the nearby Hotel Sole, which has similar rates and a pool, but is not directly on the beach.
Named for the turquoise-colored bay it fronts, the 70-room Hotel Baia Turchese is a two-pearl hotel right on Lampedusa's popular Guitgia Beach. The hotel's seafood restaurant and outdoor bar have beautiful sea views, as do some of the large, air-conditioned rooms. However, decor and style are vintage, and not in a good way. There's a bit of wear on furniture and the blue-on-blue-on-blue decor looks beamed from an earlier decade (or two). The hotel offers free airport transfers, but there’s no pool and Wi-Fi costs extra. Travelers may want to compare rates at the nearby Hotel Sole, which has similar rates and a pool, but is not directly on the beach.
The mid-range El Mosaico del Sol, near Lampedusa's old port, consists of 15 colorful and romantic suites with kitchenettes. The secluded outdoor pool and roof deck with beautiful Mediterranean views are big perks, as is the free breakfast with Italian specialties. The owner goes out of his way to care for his guests, and scooters, airport transfers, and rides to Rabbit Beach are all free. Some of the lower-floor rooms may pick up noise from cars and trucks traveling along the busy street. Travelers looking for more seclusion can try I Dammusi di Borgo Cala Creta, while those wanting to be right on the beach should consider Hotel Baia Turchese.
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The mid-range El Mosaico del Sol, near Lampedusa's old port, consists of 15 colorful and romantic suites with kitchenettes. The secluded outdoor pool and roof deck with beautiful Mediterranean views are big perks, as is the free breakfast with Italian specialties. The owner goes out of his way to care for his guests, and scooters, airport transfers, and rides to Rabbit Beach are all free. Some of the lower-floor rooms may pick up noise from cars and trucks traveling along the busy street. Travelers looking for more seclusion can try I Dammusi di Borgo Cala Creta, while those wanting to be right on the beach should consider Hotel Baia Turchese.
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About two miles from the heart of Cefalu, Calanica Residence Hotel offers beachfront real estate and a boutique-y atmosphere. The 26-unit property is perched over the teal Tyrrhenian Sea, offering dramatic views as well as a private beachfront terrace (the beach itself is very rocky) with loungers and Bali beds. Additionally, there is a large swimming pool (not overlooking the beach), and plenty of land and water activities, like tennis, soccer, and canoeing. Accommodations are quite unique for Sicily: each room is a private, freestanding bungalow with a kitchenette (in all but one), an outdoor deck, and a rainfall shower. Overall, the experience is very hard to beat, though to be within easier walking distance of historic Cefalu, try Astro Suite Hotel.
About two miles from the heart of Cefalu, Calanica Residence Hotel offers beachfront real estate and a boutique-y atmosphere. The 26-unit property is perched over the teal Tyrrhenian Sea, offering dramatic views as well as a private beachfront terrace (the beach itself is very rocky) with loungers and Bali beds. Additionally, there is a large swimming pool (not overlooking the beach), and plenty of land and water activities, like tennis, soccer, and canoeing. Accommodations are quite unique for Sicily: each room is a private, freestanding bungalow with a kitchenette (in all but one), an outdoor deck, and a rainfall shower. Overall, the experience is very hard to beat, though to be within easier walking distance of historic Cefalu, try Astro Suite Hotel.