Hotel Hopps

We left Hotel Hopps Sicily very disappointed. On arrival, the floor was dirty, and the bathroom walls and ceiling had damp marks all over them. The room felt unclean and poorly maintained. Although it was advertised as a beachfront hotel, the beach was dirty and we couldn’t access it during our stay. We were told it only opens in June. That needs to be made clear on the booking page before people reserve. Getting around was difficult too. The nearest shops were about a 30 minute walk away, and there were only a few restaurants nearby, with little else in the area. Taxi fares were ridiculous, at least €120 for a 20 minute trip, and it seemed the latest taxis ran was around 8:30pm. That made evenings especially inconvenient. The stay didn’t match what the hotel had advertised.

If you want peace and quiet, this isn’t the place. There are large crowds, lots of noisy children, and music and microphone announcements go on until midnight every night. One woman kept saying “alora” what felt like fifty thousand times, as if it were the only word she knew. There are plenty of B&Bs in Mazara if you want somewhere quieter. The pool and bar seem to be the main draw, even though the beach is across the street. I wonder whether anyone ventures out to see the actual city of Mazara. Check the cancellation policy carefully before booking. They’ll charge for the full stay you booked, no matter how many days you actually stay, so if you change your mind and leave for somewhere quieter, you can’t get your money back. The bank refunded us, luckily. It reminded me of Hotel California, where you can check out any time but can never leave, at least not with your money.

Loredana from Romania was especially lovely and kind, and she made our stay even better. The staff were all friendly, the hotel was clean, well maintained, and cozy, and there were lots of fun daytime activities. I had a fantastic time and would definitely recommend it.

I had a deeply uncomfortable stay at Hotel Hopps, and felt unwelcome. Some staff and guests showed little cultural sensitivity, and at times I felt outright discriminated against because of my background. That was especially upsetting while traveling. Noise made it hard to rest both day and night. The rooms aren’t well insulated, so sounds from the hallway and neighboring rooms carry through. The beds were uncomfortable too, with thin mattresses and worn pillows. Meals were mediocre at best and repetitive, with the same dishes every day. If you don’t eat pork, there are almost no meat options, and the lack of consideration for dietary needs was frustrating. This might suit people who are fine with repetitive meals or a party atmosphere. For comfort, respect, and basic hospitality, I’d strongly recommend looking elsewhere.