geoffreycV2058XM
Family · October 202510/10
We have just come back from one of the best week's holidays we've had in years. From the moment we looked out from the terrace of our room at Etna, we were smitten. The hotel staff were friendly and h...We have just come back from one of the best week's holidays we've had in years. From the moment we looked out from the terrace of our room at Etna, we were smitten. The hotel staff were friendly and helpful (and you could guarantee that the person on reception spoke fluent English - a great help to my husband and son, who don't really speak Italian). They are a really lovely team of people.
The decor is quite quirky and characterful and our rooms were a generous size. The beds were comfortable, the bathrooms were clean and had possibly the first shower that my husband has ever managed to control satisfactorily on a holiday. Noise can travel from neighbouring bathrooms via the ventilation system, which took a bit of getting used to though we really didn't find this a problem.
Don't expect to find tea/coffee making facilities in your room - if you want that, you need to go down to the terrace and place an order (though be aware that the terrace bar shuts at 6) or ask for room service. As the week went on, the staff got very good at anticipating what our order was likely to be (they were pretty good at that one at breakfast time as well).
We were on half board. Some other reviews have cautioned against this, recommending trying out the many eateries in Castelmola, but we did not find it a problem. The menu was varied and the cooking excellent. Also, being a vertiginous hill village, getting up to the other restaurants does involve quite a few steps. Do be aware that even on half board, the evening meal actually takes place in the restaurant belonging to the hotel but 50 yards or so up the road, so if you have any mobility issues it may be worth noting. The house red wine at the restaurant is actually grown on a vineyard belonging to the hotel, and we would recommend it.
We went on a couple of trips while we were there, and the staff at reception were very helpful in negotiating bookings for us. The ones we chose (EtnaPeople - I'm going to write them a separate review) actually picked up from the hotel, which made life easy. There is a hotel shuttle service to Taomina, but be aware that it books up fast and that you need to book yourself on the shuttle back as well to ensure space. On a couple of occasions we ended up having to use the service bus instead. It runs hourly, so it's not a great problem. Just don't panic coming back - there are no signs at the bus stop you get off at in Taomina saying you need to wait in the same place, but the bus will reappear just where you got off.
The pool is lovely but not heated, so if you are going out of high season be prepared for cool water.
Castelmola itself has a lot of character and, perched where it is, you can look into the mountains to the north, down to Taomina and south to Etna. Although it does get plenty of tourists, it is nowhere near as busy as Taomina and there are plenty of outdoor places to relax with a coffee or a wine. If your legs are up to it, make the climb to the top of the ruined castle, from which there are stunning views.
Would we go back? A definite "yes".Show More
