Lungomare Mediterraneo 672, Marsala, Italy
Isolated location next to a private beach
Two luxurious outdoor pools
Some of the rooms include balconies and kitchenettes
Two restaurants, including a beachside restaurant with outdoor seating
Tennis court for guest use
Free Wi-Fi in the lobby
Grassy playground for children
Meeting rooms and banquet hall
Fee for lounge chairs and umbrellas on crowded beach
Isolated location without much in walking-distance
No Wi-Fi in guest rooms
Grounds have overgrown gardens with dirt patches
The beachfront Delfino Beach Hotel is located in an isolated area, a 13-minute drive from the town of Marsala. The 88 simple, if outdated, guest rooms are housed either in the main hotel building or in one of the three detached structures. The beach is beautiful, but can get crowded and there are fees to use lounge chairs and umbrellas. The Delfino also has two outdoor pools and a beachfront restaurant and organizes daily excursions for an additional fee. Overall, prices are low for a mid-range hotel on the beach.
Scene
Large main building with uncoordinated decor and patchy gardens
The Delfino's lobby is situated in a large building, and guest rooms are housed in three smaller detached buildings. There's a large, circular courtyard in front of the entrance, which creates a sense of grandeur. The front lobby is spacious, with high ceilings, red marble floors, and yellow walls. The decor is a bit of a mishmash, with Persian rugs and luxurious velvet chairs in the center, and shabby old sofas, antique furniture, and a flat-screen TV in the corners. The hotel grounds are covered in gardens filled with bright flowers and palm trees, but appear neglected and have overgrown grass and dirt patches. Many of the guests are families on a beach vacation.
Location
Next to the beach, but isolated from nearby attractions
This Sicilian hotel is situated next to the beach, a seven-minute drive to Cantine Florio -- where the area's famous local wines are produced -- and a 13-minute drive from the small town of Marsala and an 80-minute drive to the Palermo Airport. There's not much within walking distance, but guests with a car will find plenty to do in the area.
Rooms
Simple rooms with minimal decor, some with balconies
The rooms are located either in the main building or in one of the three detached buildings and are simple, with minimal decor and outdated furniture. All rooms include a desk, a mini-fridge, a small wall-mounted flat-screen or tube TV, an armoire, and a safe. Wrought-iron headboards add a much needed touch of elegance. Fabric slipcovers over desk chairs look fussy. Some rooms have balconies with views of the other guest room buildings, as well as couches, and kitchenettes (but no ovens). Bathrooms are basic and have a bidet and either a shower/tub combo or just a small walk-in shower.
Features
Private beach, two outdoor pools, beachfront restaurant, and daily excursions
Guests have direct access to a beautiful, yet crowded sandy beach. The hotel provides lounge chairs and large tiki-style umbrellas. There are two large pools, a tennis court, a playground, and a small theater. The Delfino also has three meeting rooms and a large banquet hall for corporate groups. Along with a couple of bars, the hotel offers a beachfront restaurant that serves lunch and dinner and a second restaurant in the main building that's only open at night. During the high season, the hotel operates regular organized excursions to nearby attractions, for a fee. Although there's no Wi-Fi in rooms, it is free and available in common areas.