360ME Palace

Even in just one night, this place left a lasting impression. It has a welcoming feel, with classical style, distinctive character, and thoughtful details throughout. Marco was friendly and easy to talk to, and made sure things were in order without hovering. I’d gladly come back.

The room was spacious, clean, and well kept, and the location made it very easy to catch a bus to Palermo. The woman who waited for me and helped me get inside on a Sunday afternoon was kind. But this is a B&B on the first floor of an apartment, not a boutique hotel. I stayed 11 nights, and at night this was the only place on my trip without heat. The air conditioner showed a green light, but no warm air came out. The water only got just above cold, so a hot shower wasn’t possible. The advertised buffet breakfast wasn’t there. My husband and I had to look around the kitchen for coffee and milk, and there was no service. There were no hot items, eggs, cheese, meat, or croissants, just a couple of rotten strawberries in the fridge. I understand that the low season can mean fewer guests. I’ve seen hotels in France with only two rooms occupied switch to a set breakfast menu while keeping the quality and quantity. In the end, no place is perfect, but be cautious when you see a place with nothing but 10/10 reviews.

We used 360me as a base for trips around eastern Sicily, including Taormina and the aeolian islands, and it worked well for that. We stayed three nights in April, two adults and two teenagers, and I’d recommend it without hesitation. The city centre location made nearby restaurants easy to reach, and Messina has plenty of delicious food. The rooms are huge, recently renovated, and tastefully decorated. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the train station, while the highway is close if you rent a car, as we did from Catania airport. Breakfast included gluten-free choices. There are also lots of bars in the centre where you can try local granita with brioche. Communication with the manager and the service were excellent, and we got the information we needed within minutes.

The room was comfortable, though the setup felt more like an Airbnb. I'm used to hotel front desks and keys, and this place doesn't have that.