Borgo Giallonardo

A peaceful place to unwind, with an upstairs room that had a lovely view. The staff were very attentive, and there are nice beaches and tourist spots nearby. They also have good wine, plus a spa and fitness center. Special thanks to Gerlando, who worked at the pool during the day and at dinner in the evening. He stayed positive through both shifts. Thanks again!

The best part of our stay was the pool attendant, a lovely young man who made us feel at home with wine, cappuccinos, and special drinks. He gave us helpful suggestions for places to go. I can't remember his name, but his parents grew up next to the property, among olive trees and vineyards. They also checked us in without a reservation after we found that the hotel we'd booked had no bedroom air conditioning and the electricity went out when we arrived. The rest of the service felt more dutiful than hospitable. When we needed help troubleshooting things in the room, staff seemed annoyed and rolled their eyes. Our room smelled musty, the upstairs shower was leaking from the plumbing, and downstairs there was a strong mildew odor when we had to use the bathroom because the upstairs shower door couldn't be used.

The pool is lovely, with comfortable, good-quality loungers. It could use some sunshades, though, since the sun gets very hot and sometimes you want a little shade. Being able to order drinks by the pool later in the afternoon was a nice extra, although cocktails at €10 each are on the expensive side. Our room was spacious and luxurious, with a huge balcony that was perfect for relaxing. The property is beautifully decorated, easy to reach, and has plenty of parking. It's about 30 minutes from Agrigento, so you can stay somewhere quiet and rural instead of in a busy town. Breakfast had plenty to choose from, including eggs cooked fresh to order, fruit, local treats, and assorted homemade cakes. We had dinner there one night for convenience, at €38 for four courses. The ingredients were fresh and local, but the server didn't speak English, so it was hard to communicate. He's a very skilled bartender as well.

Set among fields, the Borgo is wonderfully peaceful, though you'll need a car to get anywhere. The people here are the real highlight and do their best to make your stay enjoyable. We had excellent breakfast and dinner, and the rooms were good. Be sure to sample the wines and olive oil. We had a wonderful stay and hope to return someday!