Palazzo Scammacca

The cakes at breakfast were delicious, and the homemade marmalade was lovely. The lemon was my favorite. We especially appreciated that your cosy palazzo isn't a huge hotel packed with hundreds of people. A big thank you to you and your team, especially Kavita, for making our stay so enjoyable. Everything was top-notch, and we'd definitely recommend your palazzo. Warmest regards, Margit & Günther from Austria

We had a comfortable stay, with spacious rooms and good bedding. The location was great, and the host kindly arranged a taxi for our early departure. I'd recommend the place to others.

The hotel is in a great spot, a few minutes' walk from Catania Cathedral and other sights. There are lots of restaurants, cafes and bars nearby, but it was still quiet enough at night to sleep. Four really good restaurants are right outside the door, and the crowded dinner tables make them easy to spot. I stayed for four nights and really enjoyed it. The room was clean and comfortable, and Pietro and the staff were friendly and helpful when I needed anything. Breakfast was decent and a good start to the day. I didn't get a chance to try the hotel's bistro. I only learned about the shared kitchen, with its coffee maker and ice machine, on my last day. I wish I'd known about it sooner, as it would have made the stay even better.

The check-in was a mess from the start. The main gate was locked, no one was at reception, and although I'd confirmed my arrival time, I hadn't received instructions on how to get in. I had to Google a phone number and call a contact, who explained how to find the key in one part of the building and the apartment in another. We had to walk around with heavy suitcases. The room was appallingly dirty and felt unfit for guests. It had no natural light, like a claustrophobic basement, and constant noise from a restaurant next door made it impossible to relax or sleep. Kitchen surfaces were sticky and hadn't been properly cleaned. The bathroom smelled, there was visible mold in the shower, and cockroach traps in the kitchen were a final red flag. The place was badly neglected: several wall sockets were broken and loose, the wardrobe was deeply scratched, and the grim entry door looked like an asylum door. The electronic key stopped working on the second-to-last day. We had already informed the staff, but again nobody was at reception to help, leaving us stranded and raising concerns about basic security and convenience. The hosts were rude, and the apartment was disgusting. This was the worst accommodation experience I've ever had. It was a mistake to spend even one night here. The property is misrepresented and dangerously maintained, and I would advise others to look elsewhere for their safety and comfort.