Hotel Castello di Giuliano

We had a fish selection for dinner, and it was grilled just right, absolutely delicious. The pizza was more ordinary, though the fresh tomato topping had loads of flavor. The restaurant itself is lovely, with big windows looking out over the mountains, and the castle-like decor with its wood and stone details gives the place real charm. We'd missed our flight and stayed here for one night. The room was clean, but small and a little noisy. We booked the budget option, so I suppose that was what we paid for. The hotel also turned out to be about a half-hour drive from the airport because of the mountainous terrain, even though it looked close on the map.

Getting there was a bit difficult, and the location felt out of the way, but the food was truly outstanding. The flavors were so authentic to Sicilian cuisine. I was born and raised in Australia to Sicilian immigrant parents, and it was hard to admit, but the food was even better than my mother's cooking.

No elevator, and the neighborhood can get a little loud with music until 10:30 pm, but I was fine with that. Our room had an amazing view, the service was great, and the building feels like a castle inside and out. The bathroom looked recently renovated, it was very clean, and the AC worked well. I'd come back.

The staff were very accommodating, and the hotel has an interesting look. The mattresses were the worst I've tried, and the rooms could use a little maintenance. We stayed two nights. I'd visit again and recommend it, as long as you're prepared for the bad mattresses.