Le Case del Merlo

It was a quiet place with friendly people, but the owner kept saying the room Wi-Fi would be fixed the next day and it never was. Towels and sheets also weren't changed daily.

Antonio and Patrizia made us feel so welcome, and they went out of their way to help us plan an Etna tour and offer recommendations. The old-style rooms, with their lovely high ceilings, were a treat, and the surroundings are beautiful. We ate at the restaurant for breakfast and dinner regularly because the food was some of the best we had in Sicily. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to return.

The location is wonderful, just as the photos show, but the area could use more maintenance. Mobile service was basically unusable, and Wi-Fi was only available at reception and the restaurant before that stopped working after two days. We didn't eat lunch or dinner there, so I can't comment on those meals. Breakfast had some choice, but left a lot to be desired. The cakes stayed the same for all six days, and scrambled eggs with nicely chopped herb tomatoes appeared only on the first day. The juices came from packets, mostly red orange, which seemed a pity in Sicily with all its orange trees. Our mini fridge didn't work, and they didn't replace it. We were told to use the one in the laundry room instead. The shower also leaked onto the bathroom floor.

There are lovely views of Etna behind the hotel, and the pool is large and beautiful. It's a good little family-run hotel, with spacious, well-furnished rooms. The restaurant has decent prices and friendly service. Wi-Fi was basically nonexistent, and mobile reception could be unreliable too.