Hotel terbaik di Castelbuono

This is a somewhat below average B&B without any particular character (the worst we stayed in during 2 weeks in Sicily). The room we had was initially clean and relatively large though the bathroom was quite small with a cramped shower. The room had a large cupboard which contained a clothes rail but virtually no draw or shelf space. The breakfast ”room” was more or less excess space in front of the mini reception desk which doubled as standing room for the coffee machine, WiFi Router and other clutter - it was rather like breakfasting in a corridor. The owner petulently didn't clean the room or make the beds after we told him during our first breakfast that we would only be staying 2 nights instead of the 3 originally intended. The owners of this B&B, called ” Villa Letizia Inn”, appear to us to be trying to create the impression to the unwary guest that it and their other B&B in Castelbuono, called ” Villa Letizia” (which according to a recommendation from friends and other information in guide books has a long-standing good reputation), are one and the same place. For instance: a joint website without proper distinction, complete jumble of joint telephone numbers, etc. We, at least, were misled by the confusing similarity of the names and booked a room by telephone in the wrong place (”Villa Letizia Inn”), having one day previously sent an unanswered whatsapp message to the other B&B (”Villa Letizia”) where we actually wanted to stay. We would not recommend this B&B, in particular not to persons planning to stay more than 1 night.

It was unfortunate that our directions took us to the door of this remote hotel via a very rough and long road, which was barely navigable and plainly not the correct access, although we met several others who had made the same mistake. It would probably help if the hotel were to make their signage off the main road a bit more prominent. Our room was a little disappointing, being quite dark, and with only limited storage space. The bathroom was small, with an old corner shower which worked well enough but really needs an upgrade for a hotel of this calibre. Having said that, this is an old building and there must be limitations on the extent the rooms can be modified. The staff were at all times very helpful and friendly. It was a pity, however, that on our first night there was a wedding which meant that we could not use the much more splendid restaurant for dinner. The most impressive aspect of our stay, however, was certainly the great restaurant food and wine offerings. On our first two nights we had the half board menus, which were delicious and well thought out. Our a La carte dinner was also of excellent quality and much enjoyed. Breakfasts were ok, in a nice breakfast room, although the cooked buffet option ( the usual bacon and only slightly warm scrambled eggs which we found everywhere in other hotels ) was not that attractive. Wines are all from the immediate area and were not only excellent but also very reasonably priced. All in all much recommended, although somewhat out of the way via winding roads, but not too far from the popular Cefalù. Visitors should climb the 200 steps to the panoramic view which is very worthwhile. Also good walks in the area of the estate, but ours was curtailed because the route had been fenced off. The hotel needs to check this before recommending to others.

Hotel's location is a convenient short walk to the old town. The in-hotel free parking is a bonus if you book a Classic Room. Room is clean but small, and can be a squeeze if you have big luggages. The only hotel I came across in all my years of travel that does not provide a kettle, and charges for a bottle of water. They might as well charge for the toilet paper. Petty, penny wise and pound foolish! Even if you ask to borrow one, there was none. They charges €2.50 for a 500ml bottle of water, more than 7x what you get from the supermarket. And there is no price list in the minibar. We were charged €7.50 for just one bottle consumed, mistaking the additional charges for tourist taxes. Consolation: Breakfast is good though.