al 9

The area is really peaceful, and there’s a little beach only a short walk away. Breakfast was simple but good. Our room could use some maintenance, though. Anna was lovely company while we ate breakfast.

Anna made breakfast feel special, with her homemade cakes and warm, motherly way of looking after us. She was always smiling and happy to suggest places to see and restaurants to try, which is why she’s nicknamed Google Maps. Ilenia was kind, a little shy, and consistently patient and professional. The rooms are spacious, though the bathroom especially feels worn and dated and needs renovating. We’d planned this trip to explore eastern Sicily, and La Perla del Sole is right on the sunny beach at Arenella. Thank you!

The room itself was good, and the other staff members were understanding. Fabienna apologized for Anna’s behavior and offered us access to another hotel’s pool as compensation, a gesture I appreciated. Massimo even saw that Anna had forgotten the towels one day. I had recommended this place to my friend before the payment issues, and Anna treated both of us the same way even though we had booked separate rooms, which says something positive about the hotel. I told Fabienna how upset I was before we left. Anna seemed to run the guesthouse. If we reported something missing or broken by phone, she would scold us for contacting the managers instead of her. At first she was sweet and asked us to mention her name in our Booking comments, but when we didn’t, she turned against us. She also pressed us every day to pay when we mentioned possibly extending our stay, as if she were collecting the money herself. Room cleaning and supplies were inconsistent. On a day she changed the sheets, she didn’t replace the towels or leave soap; when she brought fresh towels the next day, she didn’t change the sheets. Cleaning the floor meant the desk was left dirty. She also left rotten peaches out for more than one day. Breakfast was mostly meat, and after I asked for cheese, it took two days for her to bring it. I have photos to support these points. We came to rest, but Anna made things difficult for my friend and me.

We stayed for two nights and found the rooms comfortable and clean. Towels were changed each day. Mrs. Anna was very friendly, and the property is just steps from free Samoa beach, with Ortigia close by.