Hotel La Ville

The rooms are spacious, and the staff were friendly. We asked for an unusually early breakfast and they had no problem arranging it. The hotel is close to the train station and an easy walk from the centre. The streets nearby could use better care, with rubbish around, but the hotel itself is a good option.

We left after just one night, even though we had booked two. The room was in very poor condition: the curtains were coming down, the little kitchen area was shabby and would be better replaced with sofas, and the tiny TV only had Italian programs. The shower cabin also didn't look clean. We chose this place because the other hotels in the centre were full, so book early if you're visiting Catania. The area felt unsafe to walk around, with many homeless people, and the central buildings looked neglected, as if nobody cared about the city. I also didn't like being asked for a “special city tax” of about 10 to 15 euros on top of the agreed price, without any documentation. A bad experience.

The room was spacious, clean and comfortable, and the staff were very pleasant and accommodating. The bus station is very close, though the nearby streets can feel a bit dark and dirty. It's about a 10-15 minute walk to the main city centre via Etnea. They could add another pillow, though, since one just isn't enough.

The staff are friendly and breakfast is good. It's easy to get to the bus station for Etna excursions from here. The hotel itself is an old establishment in the city centre, and the air conditioning wasn't working very well.