Self Catering Apartment Aretusa Vacanze - Siracusa

9.7

This little place, tucked away down a side-street, is an ingenious use of space, tall and thin and quite unique. We went "wow" when we entered the room - the facilities were amazing; a mini-kitchen in the corner, a fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, even a free internet terminal to use in the room. When we said we had to get up very early in the morning, as we would miss breakfast, they left a breakfast pack in our room! The only thing I would criticise is that I think the staff should make people more aware of the way the restaurant next door works. It's called "Osteria da Mariano" and it's not for me to leave a restaurant review as it's not part of the B&B. But apparently, if you mention that you are staying at Aretusa Vacanze then there is the "normal" price, but otherwise you get "tourist price". What this means in effect is that you get no menu, but random things put in front of you. As everything was taking so long, we stopped after anti-pasti (a few roast veg) and a starter of 2 small bowls of spaghetti with thin sauce. In total, we had bread, 1 water, 2 anti-pasti and 2 small starters. £36! €36! Looking round, it seemed others were having a similar experience. I felt scammed by the restaurant and managed to argue it down a bit, but I felt the receptionist might have warned us about this when recommending it. Again, as far as I can tell, the restaurant is a totally separate establishment from the B&B. But that said, it didn't take away from the hotel experience, so I've only dropped one point for that. Great place, just be wary of where you are eating nearby!

9.9

The staff at Aretusa Vacanze were extremely friendly and accommodating. They gave us an orientation of where we were located and recommended sights to see around the city, giving us a brief history lesson as well. It was the best place we stayed at in our trip to Sicily and Greece, from the ambiance of the rooms, to the free laptop and internet, to the unforgettable breakfasts on the rooftop terrace. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who visits Syracuse.

5.3

Zwiespältiger Eindruck + Lage im Szeneviertel von Siracusa, im Herzen der Ortigia + geschmackvolle Zimmereinrichtung, Laptop-Benutzung + Dachterrasse, auf der man (nur) bei gutem Wetter frühstücken kann Achtung: Die Zimmer sind bezüglich ihrer Lage und Belüftung sehr unterschiedlich: eines liegt parterre, so dass jeder Passant durch das Fenstergitter ins Zimmer sehen oder gar greifen kann; eins öffnet sich lediglich in einen mit Plexiglas verschlossenen Lichtschacht, so dass der Mangel an Frischluft bei mir zu dem subjektiven Gefühl geführt hat, in einem stickigen Gefängnis keine Luft mehr zu bekommen. - Keines der Zimmer hat irgend eine Aussicht, die meisten liegen an einer kaum 2 m breiten Gasse, so dass kaum Tageslicht hereindringt und der Blick auf eine schäbige Ruinenwand fällt. In Nachbarhaus ist ein Restaurant mit Tischen auf der Gasse. Dies ist der Preis, den man zahlen muss, wenn man im Szeneviertel von Siracusa, im Herzen der Ortigia, wohnt. - Es gibt keinen Frühstücksraum. Der Kaffeeanteil im Cappuccino oder Cafe latte erreicht wohl kaum 10 %. Käse oder Schinken fehlen im Angebot. Die Croissants waren bis auf einen Tag immer verbrannt.

9.8

Stayed during October 08. This place was the most welcoming and helpful. Great value for money, very well located, easy to find, clean, comfy,if only you could find a place like this in every town. Breakfast on the terrace was lovely and plentiful. Staff went out of their way to assist. Free internet in rooms was great. Our kitchen was tiny but it was all you needed to make a simple meal. Good bathroom with plenty of hot water, fresh linens. Beautiful walks and restaurants nearby. There recommended restaurant was excellent.

8.9

Great location, easy to find with a GPS navigator. Garage a little tricky to get to but for free. Adequate room for a family. A small beach 200 m away near the Aretusa fountain was great for the kids.

8.2

Good value B&B in excellent location, difficult to find especially if driving, parking on island is not easy but hotel will advise you where to park. breakfast is brought to your room and is fairly basic but considering the room price is acceptable. Would recommend this B&B

8.5

Bed&Breakfast idéalement situé sur l'île d'Ogyvie. La terrasse est une merveille où il fait bon prendre son petit-déjeuner ou farnienter dans la journée.

9.9

We stayed in the first floor apartment. My only aesthetic complaint would be that it was dark otherwise it had a lot of character with wood beams and was large for 2. The bedroom was up a spiral staircase and had a small side table for 2 and satellite TV with the best selection of English channels of the 7 hotels we stayed in Sicily. I know it sounds awful to even mention the TV selection but when you are taking a siesta its nice to have as an option. Bathroom was standard with really good water pressure. There was a hairdryer. There is also a small kitchenette, I can't remember if there was a cooker or a hot plate. The receptionists were very helpful with restaurant recommendations and maps and information. The common roof terrace was a great place to hang out and have a glass of wine. There was street noise as we were on the first floor and the windows faced a typical narrow street with a restaurant next door. The alley cats caused more trouble, though but can't blame the hotel for that! Breakfast was requested the night before with a list of available items that you checked what you wanted and how many and what time you wanted it delivered. Coffee was not great but the cereals and pastries made up for it and it was nice to enjoy them in the room. We parked just outside Ortigia in a public lot. Overall we would definitely stay here again.

9.2

We stayed in a charming first floor apartment for four with two bedrooms and a breakfast area with sink and stove top. The bathroom was quite small, but adequate, and one of the bedrooms was very small, but cozy, and the other bedroom was separated by a screen from the breakfast area. Breakfast was served according to your choice from a menu that you fill out before 8pm and leave on your door. Everything ordered was served at the requested hour (8am,9am,10am)and was very good. The coffee was cold but reheated nicely on the stove. The stairs are steep but there is a small lift. The building is on an alley that is surprisingly noisy at times, a crying baby in the apartment above could be heard in our apartment, and voices in the hall could also be heard. The building is in an excellent location out at the end of the island Ortygia, just down the alley from the Aretusa spring. Easy to walk to restaurants and shops on Ortygia and in Siracusa. Buses run up to the historic sights in Siracusa.

8.3

The room was in a very good location with interesting surroundings and good restaurants close by. The staff were very helpful and spoke very good English. Breakfast was very good, being brought to the room on a tray, based on ones previous evening's order. The area was quiet but noise could be heard from the room above due to lack of insulation, also from the guttering when it rained.

9.5

vary helpfull staff,beautiful clean loft bed room cozy accomodations great location it was all good.late september stay

9.6

Tricky to locate, but once found - wow! Incredible location on Ortyga island, beautiful rooms, lovely roof terrace (we had to ourselves to watch the sunset), fantastically helpful staff....what more can I say? Oh and lovely local style restaurant next door (if quirky!)

9.6

Excellent value. Lovely apartment with a mezzanine floor. We had to leave early on the last day, staff were concerned we would leave without breakfast so prepared a tray the night before and left it in our room. Ortygia is beautiful, there are free little buses that take you from Siracusa bus station to Ortygia and stop outside the Fontana Aretusa where the apartment is situated. Restaurant next door to the the hotel is brilliant with a very genial host.

9.9

Spacious room, beautiful surroundings. Welcoming and knowledgeable hosts. Ample breakfast served in the room (only drawback). We had problems with the air conditioner but staff fixed the problem in a courteous and timely manner. Staff recommended excellent restaurant for dinner. We enjoyed our stay.

9.7

WOW - we absolutely LOVE this hotel! You are really getting a studio apartment - with a kitchen and plenty of room. The location is wonderful: on a pedestrian alley, right next to the Aretusa Fountain. plenty of good restaurants, shops and sites at your doorstep. The staff were welcoming, helpful and friendly, and the in-room breakfasts were simple, but delicious. I am definitely returning for a much longer stay next time... One point: we had a car, and parking is tight on Ortigia island. So I recommend when you arrive that you park as close (even illegally) as you can near the Aretusa Fountain to unload your baggage (you will still have to walk it into the Hotel). Then the staff can show you on a map where you can park the car, which is basically on the other side of the neighborhood. But the distances are short in the neighborhood, so it will be a quick walk back to the Hotel. Once we knew that strategy, parking was not a problem at all. Enjoy the Apartment Aretusa Vacanze!