Calanotte

The service was amazing, and the room was great. It’s in a perfect location.

The owner behaved disgracefully and left us stranded on New Year’s Eve. We’d booked over the phone and agreed to pay on arrival because the advance bank transfer couldn’t be made over the weekend. He didn’t trust that we’d pay by transfer, though that had been the original plan. We sent several messages and made several calls to confirm our afternoon arrival time. Then, in what he apparently considered professional conduct, he resold the room to the first person ready to pay. If he needed a guarantee, he could have asked for a credit card, as hotels do elsewhere in the world, instead of leaving us literally stuck out on the street. Disreputable behavior.

Getting to the place with luggage was awkward since cars can’t enter the restricted traffic zone. We only used the car for Mondello beach. There’s also no lift, and the narrow, winding stairs up to the second floor are tiring. The building itself feels historic and rather neglected, though stepping inside the apartment is a surprise: it’s been renovated in a modern style, with nice bathrooms. In ours, we had to leave the door shut and the light on to keep the extractor running and deal with the drain smell. The central location was handy, and the stay was quiet.

The owner was so kind and courteous. Our place was clean, with modern furnishings, and right in the center. Breakfast at the bar was generous and excellent. I’d happily recommend it.