Hotel Villa Esperia

We stayed for a week and everything was great: clean, basic rooms with what you need, friendly and helpful staff, and a really good location. The pool area gets lots of sun, so it's great for tanning. It's right by the beach, about a five-minute walk from famous ilsa bella beach and the cable carts, with shops and restaurants nearby. Breakfast was good and kept topped up with fresh food. When we asked about bus times to catania, the staff were happy to look them up for us. I'd stay again, thank you very much!

We were three, travelling with my mother and grandmother for a week. We had a standard room and mistakenly assumed there would be two double beds. There was only one, but the staff kindly set up an extra bed. The room itself was an ordinary hotel room, nothing special but nothing to complain about. The balcony and view, though, were incredible. I saw a review questioning whether there was an ocean view, but from our perspective you could see the ocean wherever you looked. The pool and surrounding area were extremely clean, and got sun from morning to evening. The pool was easy to access and a good temperature, though the tiles can get very hot underfoot. The bartenders and wait staff were polite and accommodating. One night there was a problem with our food, and they removed it from the bill without hesitation. The drinks were good and very affordable. Breakfast was impressive, with six or seven kinds of pastries and cakes, fresh or cooked vegetables, deli or cooked meats, eggs, three types of bread, cereals, jams and condiments, yogurt, and several juices, plus water, tea, and coffee. The staff kept it fresh and clean, and seemed genuinely pleased to see us. The receptionists and owners were polite and helpful from the start. They happily answered our many silly questions with a smile, and you can tell Esperia is family-run from the personal way they treat guests. As someone who also works in a hotel, I find false reviews infuriating, so I wanted to share my own experience. I saw some negative reviews and was skeptical at first, but quickly felt they came from people who didn't understand the city tax and thought they should be exempt, despite the clear sign at reception. In Italy, the tax is €3-€5 per night depending on hotel stars. Esperia charges €4 per night, paid at the end of the stay. It's one of the better hotels I've stayed in, and I'd happily book again.

We had a week away with family, booked for me as a birthday treat, and I was pleasantly surprised. The rooms were comfortable and clean, the location was good, and there was a great choice at breakfast. The big pool was fantastic, but the friendly staff were the best part. I'd definitely come back.

It's peaceful and quiet, with friendly staff, lovely views, and a nice pool with a balcony. The place was clean, and it's close to the cable car up to the old town and the steps down to the beaches. For parking, there's secure parking, the underground cable car car park, or you can try to find a space on the road if you can squeeze in.