San Max

We spent two nights here in the last days of September. My husband and I found the weather sunny but not too hot, and although I know it wasn't high season, there were still several tourists around Catania. Our room faced the inner courtyard, so I didn't hear street noise, and there was a device to keep mosquitoes away. The bedroom and bed were both quite large, and the bathroom felt more spacious than in other hotels I've stayed in. Ventilation was good and I found everything comfortable. Noise from the hall or neighboring rooms may be an issue, as other reviews have mentioned, but at night I only heard occasional hallway sounds when someone was talking or arriving. I slept well. In my experience, even Italian hotels with more stars often have limited sound insulation, so expectations should take the older buildings into account. The staff were kind and attentive. A side street was closed when we arrived, and Google Maps didn't show the way to the parking entrance correctly, but staff guided us by phone. The hotel has a parking area and swimming pool, and it's best to call ahead if you need a parking space. Water, coffee, and tea are available free at reception. Our room rate included breakfast, which I thought was good, with sweet and savory choices, orange juice, and coffee in the dining room of a neighboring building. It was enough to get the day started. Via Etnea is a broad street lined with shops and tourists. The hotel isn't exactly in the center, but a couple of blocks along the main street bring you to Bellini Garden and lots of restaurants; a few more blocks take you to more shops, squares, and sights. The street is well lit, especially in the evening, and with people always walking around, I felt safe there. It worked well for our Catania visit, and I'd probably stay again.

The staff were so friendly and went out of their way to help, making us feel at home. The hotel was very clean, breakfast was good, and the bed was comfortable.

The reception staff were welcoming and attentive, the rooms were clean and had the basics, and it was great value for the money. The breakfast was the weak part: very simple, served in a small, dark room. Still, I had a really good experience overall.

We booked one night before our morning flight home, after nine nights at a villa in Palermo. The rooms were a bit bigger than expected and had all the usual provisions, and the reception staff were very nice and welcoming. Turn right out of the hotel and you'll soon reach Catania's main drag, with shops, bars, restaurants, and the little side streets you need. I was pleasantly surprised. For value, I'd give it five stars.