“Great hotel, great staff, so helpful and accomodating!”

the room was basic and the beds a little hard but for the price it was amazing. had a view of etna from the room. there's a bus from outside that takes you straight into the city and the sea isn't that much further than there. the staff are so helpful with anything you need. we decided to go on the etna and siracuse trips organised by the hotel and they were well worth the money. not all the staff speak english but that didnt stop them helping as much as they could. i would recomend this hotel to anyone.

“David”

Hotel is good value for money. Breakfast is ok. Room (triple room) ok. Parking available on 1st come 1st serve basis --- however one needs to leave the car keys @ reception!!!. Had to park outside since I didn’t leave the keys at reception. Hotel is very clean. all in all good for a night stay or a few days to visit Catania. hotel staff some OK others not so OK.

“A great value”

First it is important to note that this hotel is VERY difficult to locate, off a side street and down an alley. If you are coming from the airport and have not rented a car, I suggest a cab — they'll get you there! If you are renting a car, the free parking cannot be beat — you'll suffer none of the downtown noise or parking problems — but do your homework to find out how to get to the hotel. Call ahead and get very specific directions. The view of Etna is spectacular! The hotel has an arrangement with a nearby restaurant and they will pick you up and drop you off for dinner and the food was good — that's a great way to start your first night if you arrive late. Angelo speaks English very well and can make any suggestion you may need. Walking to the downtown area isn't recommended — it's a hike, but it's a very quick cab ride and you never seem to wait more than 1-3 minutes for a cab to come pick you up. The walls are thin and the pipes will regale you with some interesting tuba sounds... the bathrooms are tight with very small shower stalls — but this is a fantastic price and for it the rooms can't be beat. The breakfast is functional... cereals and some meats and cheese, coffee, juice, etc. If you have a group, the hotel has meeting rooms and a full chapel, too. I'd visit again and recommend it.

“Villa Mater, Sicily”

The hotel was very basic but great value for money- brilliant for a budget holiday. Great view of Mount Etna from the window. Not much to do around the hotel so you'll need to go into to Catania although it's only 15 mins on the bus and the buses are fairly regular. The staff only spoke a little English but tried to be as helpful as possible. If you're looking for a beach however don't stay here as the nearest one is some distance away including a bus and a walk (although if you've got your car then it shouldn't be a problem). Here's some tips if you want to visit: To get to the hotel from central Catania you need to get either the 536 or the 936 (they follow the same route) from Corsa Sicilia or Piazza Steisicoro to Pietra dell'Ora, we didn't know this and got sent on several random buses. To get back to the centre get the bus from the stop right outside the hotel. Buy some bus tickets from the airport or stazione central so you don't need to worry if you have them. Book your trip to Etna through the hotel, it was amazing and highly convenient. Ask the hotel about their link to the local restaurant- someone took us to the restaurant and dropped us off. Finally, if you are taking the bus back to the airport then it takes a lot longer on the way back (about 50 mins as opposed to about 15 on the way there)

“Honest value”

The Villa Mater Sanctitatis Hotel is situated just outside a ring road which runs around the centre of Catania. It is a modern building set in a neatly landscaped area with off-road parking. On the ground floor there is a little reception, a small lift and a lounge with internet access, TV and a vending machine for drinks and snacks. In the basement there is a chapel, conference facilities and a breakfast room where a good buffet is provided each morning. This is not a pretentious establishment. There is no pool, no fine dining, no leisure facilities, no frills at all, in fact. That is why the price is so much less than other hotels listed in Catania. You pays your money and you takes your choice, as they say. Although it is more like a travel lodge than a luxury hotel, the staff are pleasant and efficient. We had rooms on the top floor, (the sixth), of this modern building. The views beyond a rather run-down, suburban neighbourhood were to Etna, in the distance, from one room and towards the city centre and the coast beyond, from the other room. Noise tended to echo in the uncarpeted corridors. The furniture was solid, utilitarian stuff and the bathrooms would benefit from a facelift, but there were plenty of towels, airconditioning and a TV in each room.

“It was OK”

The hotel was ok but more for business then pleasure. It is far away from the main town - you have to get a bus into the town from the hotel and they do not run very frequently. The hotel staff were as helpful as they can be but do not speak very much English. Not the best place i have ever stayed but it was OK

“...”

Few of the hotel staff speak english. Most of them not very friendly.

“Basic, clean but the location was poor.”

I stayed at this hotel with my teenage son. When we arrived the reception staff thought I had booked for 1 person. We were allocated a room at the back of the hotel on the 2nd floor. I dont know if this was the original room reserved for us ( i had booked in Oct 07) but it was noisy due to a generator outside. It had a very limited view of Etna.It is located in the 'seedy suburbs' of Catania you have to catch a bus into the centre, we usually found it easier to tackle the traffic and walk to Via Etna to catch the Metro.Catania is a good base for trips to Etna, Taormina,Siracusa once you have worked out the public transport system. We used the train for longer trips.The hotel was room was cleaned every day.If I was to return to Catania I would not use this hotel due to its location we felt tired of the traffic. I would use a hotel in the beach area, nearer to the facilities, restaurants etc.

“not very impressed”

this hotel is a bit far ,there is 2 buses but they dont run often enough,the breakfast was pretty good ,the room not bad,but the shower very small.the staff at the from desk dont speak english so very hard to get much help from them ,not friendly .overall dont recomend it ,but if you want to save money go for it .

“Love Catania! Hated the hotel.”

The staff didn't speak any english, apart from a few words, which made it difficult getting about. Its very far away from anything, the closest supermarkets is a 30 minute walks and never open. They do not have basic ammenities, ashtrys, toilet roll, coffee making, no pool or one close by. Do not go to this Hotel unless you can drive, but dont expect a parking space, to be comfortable in your room or to have any fun as its run by strick nuns. Do however go to Catania, I loved it so much I've accepted a placement over there for a year.