Villa Lionti

Set away from the chaos of Catania, this place has 17th century charm and a calm, natural feel that draws artists and photographers. It's on the slope of the Etena Volcano, with a spacious, family-friendly group of apartments, kitchens, outdoor tables, and room to wander. The pool is sparkling clean, tucked into an enchanted garden. Attentive caretakers handle the services and provide what you need. A lovely spot for nature lovers, history buffs, or incurable romantics.

The host was friendly, and there's private parking on the property. It's close to Catania and the Etna, and about a 30-minute drive from the airport. The building was once an olive oil factory, with a beautiful, quiet garden and a large pool. The rooms are very antique, though, so if comfort in the room is your priority, you may be better off at another hotel.

The property itself is beautiful, but the host was difficult to deal with. We never met them onsite, and check-in was likely to be a problem. Be sure to look into the host's recommendations yourself, since they may not match what you expect. Beautiful place, below-par hosting. J

We came for a sporting event last weekend and ended up having a wonderful stay. From the first phone call, I had an idea of what to expect, but the real experience surpassed even that. The staff's friendliness, care, and courtesy went well beyond ordinary hotel hospitality. As a former manager of 4- and 5-star hotels, I know a bit about it. It's nice that hospitality from simple people who make guests feel at home and take personal satisfaction in it still exists. A big thank you to all the staff at Villa Leonti. They even brought us luck, as we won the regional title we came for.