Grand Hotel Villa Politi - Siracusa

First off, the rooms are lovely if small. they are kept remarkably clean--the cleaning lady will completely disregard your "do not disturb" sign if used as an "i don't need service" cue. they'll clean regardless. front desk service ran from cold-shouldered and unhelpful (i had to beg to get "dov'e siamo?" answered while holding a map) to friendly, same with the kitchen staff. one woman couldn't do enough for me, one guy truly looked like he wanted to murder me every morning. you need to speak at least some italian to communicate. one unforgivable thing: for the first few mornings, they tried to serve me the same tired, stale food for breakfast--not the same menu, the same exact pieces of food. it was finally changed out the last day i was there so i could see what it was supposed to be--trying to pass off the other stuff was pretty bad. and, the food that was there was quite cheap--not fresh, rather processed. for $140 a night in the off-season i definitely expect more. it's about a 30 minute walk into ortygia, and not a pretty one except when you can see the sea. no wi-fi in rooms, only in reception and breakfast room (they said you could plug-in in the rooms). my room was pretty and the grounds are lovely but there are much nicer and friendlier options in ortygia, which is where you want to be. i won't be returning.

This is one of the most amazing hotels in which I have ever stayed. It was an 18th century villa/palazzo that was renovated into a hotel. It has a wonderful ambience, and the environs are gorgeous. There is a lovely pool and the gardens & view are just breathtaking. It has the feel of a once grand place that has faded somewhat-definitely appealing to the poetic or romantic soul. My 3 critiques are: no internet service, even though they advertise that they have it (I have discovered that this is quite common in Sicily); terrible beds (crummy pillow and hard mattress); and limited dinner menu (you have a choice of three dishes for your appetizer, pasta, entree, and dessert). The breakfast was GREAT. Lots of fresh and varied pastries, juices, fruit, etc. I would 100% stay here again-I think I would just bring my own pillow and a mattress pad and eat elsewhere. They said that the internet would be fixed in a few weeks, but that since it was August, no one could take care of it (this is likely to be true, since NO ONE in Italy works in August if they can help it). The hotel is not within walking distance of anything, but if you have a car, it is very centrally located. From the hotel you can easily get to the island of Ortygia (the ancient part of the city of Syracusa) and to the Greek & Roman amphitheatres.

Restaurant was poor, food "pretencieuse" without interest , the same for breakfeast very basic the hotel lacks a bar where you feel relaxed for a drink nothing to say about bathrooms and bedrooms ,they are very classic but clean and quiet avoid the restaurant