Contrada Belice Di Mare, Marinella di Selinunte, Italy
Bright and cheerful family-friendly hotel by a nature reserve
Daily entertainment in the high season (plays and concerts)
Large, pretty outdoor pool with two hot tub areas
Unspoiled, sandy beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas
Breezy, casual buffet restaurant and bar
Free breakfast
Shuttle to the beach only runs every hour
Buffet food can be repetitive
Wi-Fi only available in the lobby
The 139-room Selinunte Beach hotel is located in the Belice River nature reserve, with easy access to the beach by a hotel shuttle or short walk. The well-maintained property has a large pool and brightly-painted restaurants and common areas, though it’s not particularly luxurious. Geared toward families, the big draw is entertainment in the high-season including plays, musical performances, and daily activities in the pool area and amphitheater. The large guest rooms are clean and simply decorated and rates are similar to, and sometimes cheaper than, other family-friendly properties in the area. Couples can try the nearby Hotel Admeto.
Scene
Simple seaside hotel
The Selinunte Beach hotel is an unpretentious, seaside hotel painted in bright marine blue. The lobby and common areas are bright and breezy, though not particularly luxurious. The hotel has a relaxed atmosphere, from the big pool with shaded areas and a snack bar to the beach filled with plastic loungers and umbrellas. An industrial-looking iron fence that surrounds the property is a touch detracting from the pretty, natural setting.
Location
By a nature reserve and close to the beach
The Selinunte Beach hotel is set in the Belice River nature reserve -- one of Europe’s largest protected areas -- along a strip with several other hotels. The beach can be reached in five minutes by a shuttle provided by the hotel or it is about 1/8 of a mile walk through the nature reserve. It’s also a 5-minute drive or half-hour walk to the Selinunte Archaeological Area.
Rooms
Big, simple rooms decorated in beachy blue hues
The 139 air-conditioned rooms are large, clean, and simply furnished, with tile floors. Teal bedding complements bright blue walls and an orange and teal painted beach scene hangs above the simple white headboard. The painted blue furniture has a shabby-chic look. Green-tiled bathrooms are large and include small stall showers. Rooms have small balconies and amenities are sparse, with tiny tube TVs, mini fridges, safes, and hairdryers.
Features
Entertainment and kids’ activities, pool, restaurant with buffet
The hotel offers daily entertainment during the high season, with which includes skits, music, and kids’ activities. The outdoor pool is spacious and has two hot tubs. There’s a restaurant and bar, with free breakfast, though the food in the buffet for lunch and dinner is often the same each day. The hotel has a large common with chairs and a pool and ping pong table. Parking is free and the free shuttle to the beach runs every hour.