The hotel has a lot of style. None of that gray/beige modern stuff. Small, cozy, packed with antique furniture, it has a somewhat charming quirky vibe.
Staff are super friendly. Manuela at the reception is amazing, as are the good people in the bar and the restaurant. Much love to my man Piero, always ready to smile at you. But everyone is 100% sweet and profesional. The cleaning ladies are super nice and tactful too.
Beer and cocktails are nice, plenty of room at the pool, lots of sunbeds and umbrellas. There's also a lawn area with garden chairs and tables where you can chill and have a drink.There is direct access to the sea, but note that there's no beach: you go down a path through lava rock, climb down a ladder and go in.
There is no aqua aerobic, water polo or loud music at the pool. Place is quiet, relaxed and tranquill. There isn't a schedule for anything other than meals. Speaking of which.
Food is great. Breakfasts are fine: there's cheeses, hams, eggs, bacon, fruit, youghurt etc. Lunches you have to pay for, but well worth it: pasta con le sarde is my new goto dish.
But the dinners... My god. It starts with soup and veg, then you get served the first dish which is a choice of two pasta dishes, then you get served the second dish, which is a choice of three dishes, then there's dessert, and coffee. The whole affair takes around 90 minutes. Nice choice of wines and cocktails and coffees as well. Typically you can choose between meat and fish options, but if you're vegetarian let them know and they'll sort you out. Unlimited amounts of bread, olive oil, aubergine and zucchini.
The staff are invariably friendly, quick to help, always ready to explain the food or the wines.
And, apart from breakfast and the soup/veg part, there is none of that self service thing you get in all inclusive resorts. You get table served, they pour drinks for you, open the wine in front if you, let you taste it first, they serve cocktails in glass not plastic, apart from those you take to the pool, heck, there's even plaque with your name on your table.
Rooms are nice. Reasonably spacious. Bathrooms too. We had a balcony facing the sea and the view was amazing. Folks on the other side of the corridor faced Etna, so you can't really go wrong here. There's wifi and TV, and you can switch language to English, so there's that.
Location is generally good. Giardini Naxos is close to Taormina and you can easily get to Catania or Syracuse or Messina. Mind that the hotel itself is about 15-20 minutes from the beach and nearest shops. There is a beach, but there's no place to put down your towel, so you really have to pay for sunbeds. At 30 euros for a pair it's better to stay at the hotel pool.
To sum up: if you're looking for some old world vibe with a touch of luxury there's your place. The two weeks we spent there felt like the beginning of an episode of 'Poirot.' The sun, the sea, the pool, the cocktails, the tranquility of it all. Amazing place, heartily recommend.
Nb. There is a resident cat. Quite sweet and friendly and cuddly. BUT the cat is a liar, a beggar and a cheat. It GETS fed by the kitchen staff. AND the limping is fake. I know, I caught it walking, running and jumping normally when no one was watching.
IT
DO
BE