Contrada Santa Maria del Focallo, Ispica, Italy
Basic but cheerful apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes and sofa beds
Within a 10-minute walk of a private section of beach
Large pool with a swim-up bar and hot tub
Active animation team, and a mini-club for kids
Market on the property
Two restaurants -- one in the resort, one by the beach
Bike rentals available
Coin-operated laundry machines
Free W-Fi (though it may be spotty) and free parking
Guests must cross a public road to reach the beach, or wait for the shuttle
Some reports of cleanliness and maintenance issues in the apartments (housekeeping understaffed)
No water sports equipment at the beach
Little shade
This large but low-key resort with nearly 300 apartment-style units is located within a 10-minute walk (or free shuttle ride) of a private sandy beach -- though guests should note that they will have to cross a public road. The apartments are basic but cheerful, all with kitchenettes and sofa beds, though guests have complained that the housekeeping team seems understaffed, and there can be delays for fresh linens and towels. There is large outdoor pool with swim-up bar and hot tub, as well as an active entertainment staff (and an amphitheater for performances). The property is served by a market and two restaurants, and all-inclusive rates are available. The resort is oriented toward families, though some feel the mini-club for kids doesn't have adequate supervision. It may also be worth considering the similarly priced Relais Torre Marabino.
Scene
A sprawling "village" of condo-style accommodations, within walking distance of a great beach
The resort has a sophisticated but casual Mediterranean feel, with pristine white architecture and decor with plenty of beach-y accents. Each residential building houses eight apartment-style units, giving the property the smell of a small village. It's geared primarily toward families, who can enjoy performances by the active entertainment staff and drop kids off at the mini-club (though the staff members here are more entertainers than childcare professionals, and some parents don't feel that kids get adequately supervised).
There are two restaurants, and both are airy and inviting. One is located between the reception and the pool, and one is located by the beach, offering ocean views. The large pool has a swim-up bar in an area studded with palm trees. There are plenty of covered seating areas and a also a pristine sandy beach filled with lounge beds and umbrellas. Since the resort is relatively new, the trees are not large, so there are few shaded areas.
Location
By the beach in a residential area
The resort is located on the waterfront of Pozzallo in a mainly residential area with a few restaurants and other private beaches. The resort’s beach is within walking distance, less than a quarter of a mile away across a public road, though there’s also a shuttle bus service. There’s plenty of free parking and it’s about an hour from the city of Ragusa.
Rooms
Well-equipped apartments with gardens and terraces
There are 278 air-conditioned apartments divided into villas, each consisting of eight units. All have kitchenettes, double bedrooms and sofa beds, along with flat-screen TVs and hairdryers. The clean, bright bathrooms have small stall showers. The apartments are decorated in a bright, airy style, with tile floors and plenty of light and bright blue. Units on the ground floor have verandas and beautifully manicured gardens, and those on the first floors have terraces. Each apartment gets one private, covered parking space.
Features
Large pool with swim-up bar, open-air theater, and restaurants
The resort has a large swimming pool with a hot tub and a swim-up bar, along with an open-air theater and a soccer field. The beach, about a 10-minute walk away, is well equipped with sun beds and umbrellas, as well as a beach volleyball court. There is no water sports equipment, however. Daytime and evening entertainment are available at the pool and beach. There are two restaurants, one located between the reception and the pool the other overlooking the sea, which also has a beach bar serving pizza. The resort is also served by a gelateria, a market, and other shops. Car, scooter, and bike rentals are available and there’s also coin-operated laundry.