Nicotera Beach Village

The hotel was a quiet place for a nice holiday, and we had no problems with the staff, room or food. The room was clean, though some furniture was a bit old. The pool and beach were clean too, and the pine forest between the hotel and beach was a lovely spot for a nap after lunch. Reserve a first-row sunbed at reception, but you can use one in the second row without any trouble. The food was good, though there weren’t many options. Snacks between meals were usually pizza pastries, which were fine if you were hungry. You could refill bottles with fresh water at the bar by the pool, though you had to use plastic cups for hygiene. Drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, came in plastic cups, but tasted good. There were sometimes small jellyfish near shore. They weren’t dangerous, though touching one could leave a slight burn on the skin. Our 10-year-old son was catching them by hand. They’re part of the sea and can show up sometimes. It’s worth knowing before travelling to southern Italy that services can differ from those in the north. A five-star hotel here might feel like a three-star one in southern Italy, no offence. Not all the staff speak English, and the animation program is in Italian, but you can still enjoy the dancing without knowing the language, just feel the rhythm. The nearest town is a few kilometres away, but you can arrange an island trip to see the active volcano or rent a car to visit towns like Nicotera or Capo Vaticano. Don’t compare everything with your previous stays in Dubai hotels. Just enjoy the holiday with friends or family, and you’ll find it has what you need. We had a nice time here, thank you.