Baglio Messina, Custonaci, Italy
Modern, well-appointed rooms with balconies and some whirlpool tubs
Quiet location with nearby olive trees and orange groves
Enormous freeform outdoor pool
Restaurant serves Sicilian food and wine on an expansive covered patio
Free breakfast with varied selection
On-site spa with treatment rooms and Turkish bath
Free Wi-Fi throughout and an Internet point in the lobby
Large fitness center and sports courts
Meeting space for business travelers
Free parking
Inland location not in prime tourist area
Room decor is on the bland side
This mid-size, four-pearl hotel has a modern, resort-like feel with a number of amenities, including a beautiful pool area, a large restaurant, a spa, and sports fields. The inland location means it’s necessary to have a car, though the property is also central to local destinations, including the ancient city of Erice, about 30 minutes away. In the summer, a shuttle takes guests to the beach. Rooms are clean and modern; some have private balconies and whirlpool tubs, but the decor isn't all that memorable. This is a good choice for those who want a convenient and quiet holiday while keeping costs low with freebies like Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast.
Scene
Large, resort-like complex with old-fashioned charm
Villa Zina Park Hotel is expansive and modern, with a bit of old-fashioned Sicilian charm. The spacious lobby has comfortable seating areas and displays of jewelry and other souvenirs. Clusters of brown leather sofas provide a spot to sit and peruse Italian magazines displayed on a leather coffee table with a glass top. The pool area is large, though not very shaded -- gradated green and yellow sun loungers add a colorful touch. The restaurant has a slightly impersonal banquet room feel, while the outdoor area, which overlooks the pool, is covered by a beautiful wooden overhang. There are big, slightly worn sports fields and flowering plants that round out the grounds.
Location
Inland and isolated, but can access coastal attractions via car
The Villa Zina is in Custonaci, an area off the northwest coast of Sicily that's about 55 minutes west of the Palermo airport. As there’s not much in the hotel's immediate surroundings, a car is essential and can be used to reach local attractions, including the ancient city of Erice, about 30 minutes southwest, and Marsala, which can be reached in an hour to the south. Parking at the hotel is free and plentiful.
Rooms
Simple, modern, and cheerful rooms with classic decor overlooking countryside
The 89 Villa Zina guest rooms are classically decorated, with tile floors, cheerful yellow or orange walls, striped curtains, and light-colored furniture. All rooms, which overlook the countryside, have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Earth-colored tiles adorn the large bathrooms, which also have glass-walled stall showers and modern bowl sinks. Suites are more spacious, and some of them have luxe whirlpool bathtubs. Wi-Fi is free.
Features
Varied breakfast buffet as well as fitness center and spa
The Villa Zina has a large restaurant with a covered area overlooking the pool, serving a varied buffet breakfast for free. Pre-fixe lunches and dinners are available for an additional cost and there's an on-site bar. The hotel also has a tennis court and soccer field, and there’s a large fitness center and small spa that offers beauty treatments. In the summer, guests have access to a beach equipped with deck chairs and umbrellas about 10 minutes away with a shuttle service. The Villa Zina also hosts banquets and meetings. Airport transfers can be arranged for an additional fee and car rental services are available on-site.