Valle di Mare Resort

A really restful holiday!

This hotel (in the form of terraced bungalows) has the most beautiful garden! The pool is very large and spotless, the water is just the right temperature. The food is fabulous, beautifully presented with a good variety of sicilian dishes. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The hotel is in a very peaceful place, with open views to the hills behind. You would definitely need a car. The beach is very near the hotel and you can walk though the path to it is anything but attractive. The hotel has a private beach with sunbeds and umbrellas. The only downside was that our shower cubicle needed replacing as the door just wouldn’t stay on its runners and it was mouldy. The room was basic but the bed was large. The hotel hosted a number of local wedding receptions, anniversaries and birthday parties in the evenings. There was no entertainment as such but a singer/musician played some evenings but it was the same music each time. The poolside bar was hardly in operation, which was a shame. You really need to either speak some italian or have a dictionary there, as English is not spoken by the majority of either the staff or the people in that part of Sicily (menu in Italian). Overall we really really enjoyed ourselves, it was very quiet ... like being in our own private garden with fab pool!

Traveller's tip on shopping

No shopping anywhere at all nearby. In the little cities round about were the usual touristy type shops (selling ceramics etc) and there were some clothes shops in Syracuse itself, but nothing to get excited about! Don’t come here for the shopping ... it’s a place to chill and experience beautiful sights and eat and drink and breathe the real Sicily.

Would love to go back

Lovely setting, everyone was really friendly and helpful, rooms were lovely and clean, pool was great, we visited quite early in the season so I found the pool was slightly on the cold side, but my daughter and husband were in the pool every day. The beach is a bit of rugged trek but once there it was lovely and clean. My only suggestion for improvement would be for the inclusion of a kettle within the rooms. Also because of the hotels location it should really be clarified that a car is necessary. But overall superb relaxing retreat!!

Lovely Relaxed Hotel

Really laid back hotel set in beautiful gardens. Very welcoming, but yet not imposing. Each room has its own outside space which is lovely - it is a bit more of a villa style set up. Gorgeous pool and great restaurant on site - we ate there every night. Easy reach of sights in the South East of the island but you do need a car to get around. Would definitely recommend it if you want a relaxed holiday.