Hotel Villa Kristina - Taormina

6.4

Superb views of Mt Etna from room and small balcony. Limited breakfast, reluctantly served; bathrooms tiny with minute shower cubicle. Many tour groups use the property. Lovely enclosed pool area,quality sunbeds/brollys;tasty snacks served poolside.

9.1

we have stayed here twice, we would of not gone back the 2nd time if we did not like it the 1st time, staff and management were really great, good b,fast, we had lunch which was very good, well done to all at the hotel, we will be back next year for sure, nothing was to much for any of the staff, great job guys.

5.3

Good things were: The pool essential in the heat it was July and got to 38C,in-expensive lunch menu, staff able to book excursions for you, only 5 min walk down to the main street(Umberto Cosa)but 10 min back up!The view from our balcony WOW Castlemola to the right, Etna complete with lava flow directly infront and the bay to the left. Things Not SO Good :Air Con NOT individually controlled. Hotel switched it on at 2pm and off at 3am.Air was just blown through vents into the room,we learnt to switch the corridor system off so we got max air in our room but it was not very effectve. And it was noisy. The on-suite!! Decor was very 70's mustard yellow and brown tiles,hand held shower over bath(which had a rust mark round plug and a plug you could not use having come off it's chain ) with a wall clip at 5'6" I'm 6'! No shower curtain so we had to mop the floor every time showered otherwise would slip on tiles going to the loo which had to be dried as well!Thank goodness they left small towels for the use of the bidet! But the towels were changed daily and the sheets every 4/5 days. Breakfast was good, scrambled egg, cheeses, salami,croissants,cake yohurt,fruit and juices BUT we asked for a 2nd cup of coffee and the waitress nearly had a fit"EXTRA!".But you got the best selection before 9am they were slow to re-stock and once the eggs had gone that was it.However it DID NOT spoil our holiday and would we go back? Yes because of it's position and cost with a pool(which is rare in Taormina)and to see if the incomplete extention is finished and if they subsequently refurbish.

6.8

This hotel is well situated for centre of Taormina if you don't mind being 5 to 10 minutes walk up a steep hill from the main street. We found this fine if a bit exhilarating but it would be tricky for the less mobile. The hotel has the advantage of having its own garage which can be pre-booked and used for a small daily charge. This is great since parking in Taormina is tricky. The breakfast was typical Italian fare but ample. The room was not that big but was in fairly good condition and did come with a modest balcony. Being slightly out of the centre, it was not too noisy. The highlight of our stay was pulling back our curtains one morning to see a perfectly clear sky and Etna framed in the window complete with its cap of snow. What a stunning view!

9.1

Enjoyed our stay here - directions on how to get there ahead of time would have been very helpful, as we had some difficulty with this on foot with our bags. Staff were very kind and helpful with all requests. Best hotel breakfast in our stay in Italy. Balconies are nice and with great ocean views - only downside is being a nonsmoker and having to experience everyone on their balconies constantly smoking (this left us with our windows closed most of our stay). Pool area is real nice too! Would recommend hotel and would stay here again! Far enough out of main tourist area to be quiet and enjoyable.

4.0

The hotel staff were friendly and helpful but the room was tiny and very cramped. The wardrobe door creaked loudly and the shower was broken.

9.4

Was very impressed by Villa Kristina - good location, lovely property - good value for money. HOWEVER, I was very disappointed by the hotel swimming pool. A small pool, at its shallowest end it was 1.5m deep and progressed to almost 3m deep. As an incompetent swimmer, who enjoys wading to cool down and swimming a few strokes within my depth, I did not use this pool, which was a huge disappointment for me, especially as the weather was so hot, and there was little else to do at the resort. Other guests remarked the depth of the pool also. Some years ago, at a hotel in Sorrento, the shallow end of the pool gave way suddenly to the deep end, and I had a terrifying experience. A few years after that, a young couple from my home town drowned in a pool in Sardinia. So this seems to be an issue with Italian resorts in general, and I feel this is something that should be addressed. I have never had or heard of this problem with Spain, Greece etc., It was greatly disappointing.

4.9

Considering we went out of season the price was high for the level of property. Although the staff were very helpful and property in good location.

7.9

Villa Kristina was situated in a beautiful position with views of Mt Etna. It was a steep walk from town to reach it. OK if you were fit. The rooms were adequate and there is development of the site still taking place. I would recommend this hotel.

7.5

Not especially charming or aesthetic, but a well-run, clean hotel for the price bracket. A previous reviewer who complained of the distance of the hotel from the main street had obviously overlooked the steps a minute's walk away which take you to the centre in the short time promised by the hotel.

10

And excellent hotel and excellent bureau

9.0

Very clean hotel with friendly and helpful staff. It is a very hard climb up the steep streets to the hotel from the main shopping area. The main problem was the air conditioning was ineffective which made the stay uncomfortable.

5.5

The hotel is a bit far from the center of activity. Would suggest that visitors who have a car would find this hotel a very good place to stay. Drive time to activities is 5 minutes. Walking down is 12 minutes and walking back, up hills and steps is 25 minutes.

2.8

Management were rude. Hotel is some distance away, especially when carrying luggage.

5.9

Situated on a noisy road. primitive shower facilities. basic breakfast. Exceelent views

7.6

Room was plain but clean, although the ensuite facilities were old and a bit smelly as there was no internal fan. Th view from the balcony was spectacular and the location very convenient although somewhat noisy with the traffic.

2.5

El hotel es una verguenza, en la pagina web no queda claro su lejana y mala ubicación, el amoblamiento incompleto de la habitacion (no hay ni una silla), y una ducha donde no entra un adulto. La atencion del personal es mala.