Hotel Santa Tecla Palace

Snorkeling was the best part for me. The hotel is right by the sea, and I went every morning. The restaurant and bars also have lovely views. But it was hard to relax or sleep: the backyard is rented out for events, with loud music going until 1 am. At 8:30 am the cleaning lady knocked very loudly to come in, and construction noise was constant during the day. I came hoping to chill and unwind, but that didn't happen here. Breakfast costs €20 and was very mediocre. For what I paid, I expected better service and facilities.

The pool and beach are beautiful, the ocean was perfect, and the lifeguards were friendly. It was quiet here in August, and the cocktails at the bar were great. Breakfast, though, was mediocre. If you're hoping to tour Sciley, you're a bit out of the way once traffic starts, but for a few days away it's a good fit. The fridge charge caught us by surprise at checkout. We were billed for the daily water bottles, and apparently the price list explained it, but it was a flat piece of paper under the cups, so we didn't see it. It felt sneaky, especially after Greece, where we'd been given a large bottle of water and coffee in our rooms each day.

The setting is lovely, right by the sea, and the pool is excellent. We had a huge balcony and a mini fridge, too. Still, the room didn't feel like four-star quality: the TV was tiny, about 30 inches, and the bathroom had no working ventilation, leaving a moldy smell throughout our stay. The towels were shredded and falling apart, clearly overdue for replacement. We were disappointed by the restaurant as well. Prices were high, with coperto at €8 per person and pasta around €20, but the food didn't match. My carbonara was grainy and curdled, not creamy at all, and wasn't worth the price. Nice location with potential, but too many problems for the rating and cost. I wouldn't recommend it without major updates.

The coastal setting is beautiful, overlooking the sea, and the restaurant on the patio was fantastic for both food and service. The hotel service was good overall, and the rooms were clean and a decent size. We only stayed one night, though, and our family was disappointed that the pool closed at 7:00pm. We'd hoped for a swim after our trip to Tauromina. Our room smelled of cigarettes, so I wondered if it used to be a smoking room or if smoking is allowed in rooms. The beds were rock hard, even for someone like me who prefers a firmer mattress.