Caltagirone Public Garden

It is not a 4 stars hotel. The hot water stopped working and we were informed that the showers had to be very fast or we would have to wait for the heater to heat it up again.

We were a bit disappointed with our stay at Grand Hotel des Étrangers. While the hotel has been beautifully renovated and is in very good condition, it felt more like a generic luxury hotel and lacked the Sicilian character we were hoping for. The breakfast room also felt somewhat “hotel-like,” although the breakfast itself was delicious. The staff were consistently friendly and helpful, and we especially loved the pool, which was heated to a very comfortable 28°C. The spa was also lovely, although it was frustrating that we were only told about the beautiful recovery room after our treatments were finished and we had already changed. The outdoor rooftop bar was lovely as well with comfy couches and a great view. There were a few downsides that made the stay feel overpriced for what we received. Parking at the hotel costs €50 per day, but we found the public Talete lot nearby for only €15. Our room was quite basic and very small, facing an alley where there was constant noise from dumpsters being emptied. For roughly $1,000 per night, we expected much more. Another issue was the loud music from the beach club on the ground floor, especially in the late afternoon and evening. We’re also not convinced it’s worth paying a premium for a sea-view upgrade, as the views over Siracusa are pleasant but not particularly spectacular. Overall, the hotel has some strong points, but for the price, we expected a more special and authentic experience.

Beautiful view of Isola Bella from property. Hotel is very dated, but clean and the staff are very pleasant and helpful. Know that you are not near the center of Taormina and must take cable car to get to it.