Villa Jole Taormina

The breakfast was pretty basic: dry bread, a croissant, coffee, butter and jam, with nothing savory. The bathroom was old but okay, and the mattress felt like a rock. The furniture was very old too. They moved us into a supposedly better room with a sea view. Its tiny balcony could just about fit a chair, but it had a certain charm. The hostess was very nice, though the place didn't feel very serious.

Taormina is lovely, but it's an expensive place for a holiday, and finding an affordable stay isn't easy. Villa Jole may be a good option for that. It's nicely finished, though the bed and fridge in the room could be better. The breakfast area is amazing. Parking around Taormina is a nightmare, but the reception ladies can help.

The shared terrace has spectacular views, but the rest of the stay was disappointing. We booked a room with a sea and Etna view, as requested and confirmed in writing, but were given one facing a retaining wall with only a partial side view of the sea. They mentioned a “technical” issue only after we complained, though the terraces were visibly all occupied. They resolved it by refunding just the parking fee, which wasn't enough. Parking without an attendant costs €15 a day, the elevator doesn't go up to the fifth floor, and breakfast was well below average. I wouldn't recommend it.

Booking.com said taxes were included, but at reception they tried to charge us for them again in cash. Parking was €20 a night for a spot on white lines or in a tow-away area. A nightmare! The rooms were old and didn't look like the photos. Housekeeping was poor, and getting the towels changed was a problem. We couldn't find Villa Jole on the GPS either. After we called, they sent us to a place called Hotel Elios.