Hotel Avalon Sikanì

The only part my child really enjoyed was the kids’ dance, and he happily joined in. The manager apologized for the unexpected problems and promised him an ice cream, but that never happened. I left GH Avalon Sikani Resort disappointed with the service and wouldn’t recommend it. At arrival, reception was unfriendly, and on the first day they only pointed to our room on a picture instead of showing us there. There was a power cut later, which frightened my child. The parking area is tiny, the lighting at night is poor, and the surroundings weren’t very clean. Meals were another letdown. Breakfast was exactly the same every day, and lunch and dinner had no taste. Staff didn’t tell us there was a beach shuttle or that each guest had an assigned restaurant table. Most staff spoke very little English, which made things hard to communicate. Evening entertainment was only in Italian, so we couldn’t follow what was going on.

The view and location were stunning, and I loved looking out at the beach while brushing my teeth. Just be ready for lots of stairs and hills. The elevators were slow and unreliable, so walking was quicker. They also felt unsafe, with doors nearly closing on me several times and the lift jolting when it reached a floor. The walkways between buildings felt rickety too, with uneven surfaces and a strange smell. Parking was stressful, with narrow uphill paths, so we left the car below and walked. The pool was large and clean, though seating and umbrellas were very limited for such a big hotel. Housekeeping were lovely, and the rooms were kept tidy and in good shape. But the bunk bed looked ready to fall apart, with cracks everywhere and a ladder barely attached. We were scared to sleep on it, and the mattresses were awful. The curtains wouldn’t close, so the sun woke everyone at five in the morning. Thank goodness we only had breakfast. It was horrendous, everything was bad, even the lettuce and tomatoes. The eggs were awful, and my sister felt ill for the rest of the day after trying the scrambled eggs. We dreaded breakfast each day. We’d paid everything in advance, but at reception we were told there was a mandatory 280 euro charge for towels, the shuttle bus, and beach umbrellas. I wouldn’t mind paying, but it should have been listed on booking.com or included in the 2 000 euro price. The entertainment was poor and seemed mostly for children. If you have kids, I’d recommend it, and the animation staff were lovely. It all felt improvised, though, with no real plan or organization. There was nothing for adults. I wouldn’t really recommend the hotel. The food was my biggest issue, though there were plenty of other problems too.

The staff made a big difference for me as a single mother. From reception and the restaurant to the animation team, everyone was caring, friendly, and went out of their way to make things easier. They adjusted dishes for my youngest, who’s a very picky eater, and even found armbands so she could enjoy the pool. My three daughters, aged 14, 11, and 3, had a lovely time, especially with the pool and animation. The youngest loved the baby dance! There’s a minibus to and from the beach every 10-15 minutes, so you don’t need a car if you’re just looking to relax instead of sightsee. The reception staff also arranged a day trip to Eolie Islands, with pickup and drop-off right outside the hotel. The breakfast buffet has lots of sweet and savory choices, with fresh fruit at every meal. Meals are generally tasty, with different options each day. Our room was clean and spacious, and the beds were comfortable. Could the hotel use a bit of freshening up? Sure, but its location and breathtaking views and sunsets, along with the wonderful staff, made up for a slightly ripped curtain. This hotel really has it all!

The view from the hotel and our room balcony was amazing, especially at sunset. We arrived without expectations and came away impressed. The people were so positive and helpful, from the waiters and food server to reception and housekeeping. The animators, especially one guy, were keen to chat and get guests involved in games. Breakfast was basic, but lunch and dinner were really good, with different food each day to try. On August 15, the holiday dinner event was huge, and we could see the fireworks from the hotel. A larger car takes guests to the beach, and the wait usually wasn’t too long. You can also arrange pickup from the train station, which is a great option in the heat. The driver was very nice and a gentleman. The rooms have air conditioning that works well. The corridors weren’t pleasant, but does that really matter? You have to pay for a swimming cap to swim in the pool, though you don’t need one if you’re just sitting there. The beach has deckchairs and umbrellas for guests, which was super convenient. I definitely recommend the hotel for the views and the people!