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.

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.

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.

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.