Hotel Olimpo le Terrazze

Stura buona e accogliente la consiglio a tutti mangiare abbondante

This is probably one of the more unusual hotels I have ever visited. Even getting to it wasn’t really explained. The bloke who brought me there from Catania Airport simply said, “Second floor”. I had no idea where I was going and was worried about being accosted by a person following me, until she asked me if I had just arrived in English. She kindly showed me how to get to my hotel because there are two, and get the funicular to the second floor. Had no one found me, I wouldn’t have had a clue how to get there, and she said other British people had said the same. The good: 1. Very clean, throughout the hotel 2. Friendly staff, particularly Peppe 3. Great assortment of drinks 4. Shuttle bus to Taormina The bad: 1. Despite asking for an early in advance, this was refused on my last morning at the hotel. All the young man who was there was willing to give me were two apples! 2. Same applies to a packed lunch, which I should have received because I was an all-inclusive guest 3. Thin walls 4. The tiniest safe in the known universe. Not worth paying €30 deposit 5. The beds were really hard and uncomfortable. The ugly: 1. The amount of smokers in the bar area. Yuck! 2. The music in the bar area was too loud and kept me awake 3. By 8 o’clock, most of the food will be gone in the restaurant. 4. There is no shade whatsoever after midday. Despite all of this, I did have a nice time. Other British people advised me to get to meals early before the food was all gone. There was always plenty to choose from: soup, pasta, risotto, a different choice of hot food in heated serving dishes and various sides. There was always a variety of puddings, fresh fruit- including local dragon fruit and as much ice cream as you liked. These varied each time. When I first arrived, the drinks were served yourselves and then it changed to waiters/waitresses. You had to show a card every time you asked for a drink - even water and anyone who wasn’t all-inclusive had to pay for their drinks before they left.

Our first family holiday abroad and to Sicily. The hotel is beautifully situated on the mountains with stunning views. I was concerned about the highway you can see from the hotel but there is barely any noise. It's very quiet at night some evening entertainment but didn't see much on in the way for children. The children's club (daytime) is mainly Italian and wasn't really promoted for international families. Plenty of choice for food and lots of fresh fish to try. Gluten free options available on request but not a wide range. Sunbeds are plentiful and lucky enough to have 2 main swimming areas. Staff will remove any towels if you're not there for a while (when we were at lunch) or if they're put down too early. The main pool is very deep but the kids pool at the sister hotel was perfect. The hotel is clean and offers a relaxing stay. Some kids activities during the day by the main pool. My main concern was the cleanliness surrounding the buffet (mainly the ice creams the kids would put their fingers in and during the holiday I ended up with gastroenteritis for 3 weeks). The staff do need to be supervising more on these areas. Lady at the excursion desk was very friendly. Every time you need a clean beach towel you have to pay 10 Euros. Luckily we took our own beach towels. Also we were really disappointed we tried the sister hotel restaurant to be told it was fully booked (there were enough tables) so we didn't eat there all week. We were also not aware that the pizzeria is not included in the all inclusive package so you may find a big bill! Our room was very clean and quiet. Some long waits for the funicula and be prepared for some very pushy Italian families who do not understand a queue system. The local area is nice to explore and recommend a trip to Taormina which has amazing views. Overall the hotel is well run, friendly staff and offers a relaxing stay. Further away from the pool are some lovely quiet areas with amazing views. The gardens are well kept and being on the hillside makes for an interesting location. A trip down to the beach is about 10-15 minutes however our family were ushered off the front row which was empty to further back along the back which was quite ride and unnecessary. All the other staff were helpful at the hotel.

The hotel location is stunning with wonderful sea views. The rooms are large with great balconies or terraces and are well cleaned. The self service food was mediocre. There was a wide choice of food, but the quality of food was low poor.

The hotel location is stunning with wonderful sea views. The rooms are large with great balconies or terraces and are well cleaned. The upper pool is very nicely located. I appreciated having the use of sun loungers & umbrella at the beach. But….the staff in the restaurant are so unfriendly. Not even a buona sera, just a snarled “Drink?” I found the rudeness disturbing. The management makes v poor decisions. It is not acceptable to have party music thundering away through the night. If the hotel wishes to host private events, it must be done well away from other guest rooms, not right beneath them. The self service food was mediocre. There was a wide choice of food, but mainly the same each evening, and the pasta & main dishes were generally rather cold, or overcooked. With a little more effort & thought, this place could be wonderful.

Strange hotel .. staff were distant and difficult to communicate with .. hotel is vaster than Initially thought lots of walking within the hotel .. rooms were clean but dated .. lots of restrictions on drinks even though all inclusive .. roof top pool lovely .. quite remote location..

Fantastic hotel built onto the side of a hill, with fabulous views. Well located for the beach, local shops, and a bus stop for nearby towns. Hard working friendly and polite staff. Excellent Italian/Sicilian food served in the very busy restaurant, which is efficiently managed. Accessing the hotel is reliant on lifts, and hotel's funicular railway.

Lovely hotel,really clean and lovely staff. Peppe is the man in the restaurant ,he speaks fluent English and always ready to help. Bar staff great,entertainment ok,amazing selection of food in the restaurant at all meal times. We had packed lunches when we went on a day trip and loads in them and early breakfast on day of departure. Nothing is too much trouble. We had a great stay and will probably return. Such a unique hotel as you go up in a lift then up a funicular railway to get to the top,the views are breathtaking. The rooms are spacious and clean as well.

We have stayed in this hotel on a full inclusive holiday as family of 4. When arrived to hotel we were welcomed by lovely receptionist and if I am not wrong her name was Kamila. She was so great and helpful and check in was easy as piece of cake. We were given key to the room which supposed to be with see view and indeed was the case although bit disappointing as was on the side of the hotel rather than front for a clear view but not a much of problem as was still stunning. We checked in to the room which was spacious and clean with all needed stuff. On the first night we have discovered beds being uncomfortable with matress protectors being very harsh when sheets moves during the sleep. They were not really comfy and all linen had a bit to wish for better quality too ie. pillow cases etc. Air con needs recharching and cleaning as was not efficient and yet not cleaned for long time, grills vents were verybdusty. We have gone for dinner every night and food was of very good quality with plentiful choice. Breakfast was OK although same everyday and quality of some product could be better. Ham was of cheap quality (water ham) and venetian sausages aswell. There could be option of freshly cooked omelette or fried eggs but this wasn't given as scrambled egg was offered in chafing dish which after a while became hard and of a brick structure. Coffee cups not washed properly and you can find find some with coffee rings in them but this can happen everywhere although shouldn't. What I didn't like is fact that there aren't any salt or pepper shakers on the table but just small sachets in main buffet area, fair enough still there but not for a 4 star hotel, same for condiments. Unfortunately plastic cups for juices or water for 4 stars aren't much welcomed and thanks the case normal glass was aside to enjoy it. Restaurant looks outdated and needs major improvement as gives you feeling that you are eating in 80-90's restaurant. All refrigerating and hot food station is knackered and needs replacement as looks rusty and unhygienic.Bar in the pool area poorly equipped with limited choice till 6 pm, again coffee served in plastic. Red wine is a quality of vinegar so I swapped for white but this isn't much better.Car parking is a bit of issue as they charge 5euro per day with limited number of places and sign doesn’t inform about that, we found it being told on the 5th day of our stay. Street is busy and always full so no much joy to park and either doing up or down the hill is not great. Place is close to the town and easy to take lift down the hill. Summarising I have to say that our stay was ok but wouldn't be back again as many things needs improvement. I don't want to be very negative as place is clean and they do best they can to offer comfortable stay but investment is needed to refurbish reception and restaurant area, aswell as bed mattresses and protectors. However "grazie" for all efforts.