Hotel Torre del Duca

There was no real staff or service, and the food they provided was poor and nowhere near enough for more than 100 people. Calling it a restaurant service just because it’s part of the hotel doesn’t excuse that, and people shouldn’t be expected to stay quiet because it was a one-time event. It could have been Mark Caltagirone’s hotel, since it seemed not to exist at all. I’m replying to the owner’s response: I never commented on the rooms or called the service “disgusting.” He may have sold himself cheaply, but what he offered us wasn’t worth more than four pennies.

The place is beautiful, but it’s managed so badly that our New Year’s Eve turned into a nightmare. The rooms were freezing at -2, and the dinner dragged on with small portions and tasteless dishes, which everyone seemed to agree on. The waiters looked lost and disorganized, and when people started complaining, we got sarcastic, dismissive, sometimes arrogant answers. The price had also gone up when we arrived, with no explanation. Things got so bad I had to call the police. When we asked who was responsible, the owner first said he worked for the company managing the place, then introduced himself as the owner when the police came. I’m usually tolerant, especially on New Year’s Eve, but this was too much.

The location made it easy to visit Catanzaro Lido, Soverato, Badolato, Pietra Grande beach, and even Tropea, about an hour away, with its clean water and wide beaches. We spent six lovely days here. Breakfast and dinner had lots of varied options, including brand-name products, and the staff and owners were genuinely kind and helpful. Thank you, Mr. Franco, and your family for welcoming us. I hope to come back. Best wishes 😘

We all saw and tasted what was served, and it was nowhere near worth 7 euros per person. There were cheap fried Big Marlein, off-brand Coke, wine on tap instead of the bottled wine agreed on, raw food, and just 80 fried arancini for 140 people, according to the waiters, who looked mortified. Water during the performance was charged separately to the event organizers, who also paid the SIAE, the cake, and the sparkling wine. Those last two were the only top-quality items. The organizers paid nearly €3,000, yet you’re talking about rooms used for two hours? Give me a break. I’ve never seen anything like this, and you should have considered yourselves lucky with that many people there. The buffet wasn’t even worth 7 euros a head, when an 8-euro aperitif can get you much better quality and quantity. Do I need to say more? I’ll call you incompetent, but last night you STOLE! Don’t stop, even if it were your so-called “last resort.” Shame!