Hotel Avalon Sikanì in Gioiosa Marea

Still in the hotel as I write this. 😐 It is the last week of September and contrary to the hotels reply to the previous review there is NO entertainment, despite it being a Friday night. We were supposed to stay from last Monday night, 22nd September, but instead we had to book a room in Palermo as the hotel is so far away from the airport and there was a train strike so we missed the last train to here. The following morning we made our way here using 2 train connections. Arrived at the train station in the local town and realised there weren't any local taxi's. We rang the hotel and they sent a shuttle bus, which we were grateful for. However we had not been informed of this. First impressions of the hotel, it was beautiful and the scenery was spectacular. Rooms were clean and spacious and cleaning staff were very efficient. Beds comfy, fridge in room but not a minibar as stated. Also no kettle/ coffee machine. Small disappointment. 😒 However, things got worse. I knew there was a free shuttle bus to the beach. But when we were ready at 12.50 I was told we had to wait until 15.00. We waited and then discovered that the beach was empty and miles and miles away from the local town, with a cafe with staff who didn't understand what we were saying. There is a beach in the town with local shops and cafes but they at first refused to drop us there and said there were no local taxi's. However another receptionist explained that we could be dropped there if we agreed to paid €3 per person per trip. We didn't mind this but it was never explained even though we asked 2 receptionist about taxi's into town. The third receptionist did explain on the 3rd day of the holiday. 😬 Then I asked about a lift on the bus to get a train after 8 am and staff were so unhelpful, saying the shuttle bus does not run until 9 am and to a ring a taxi in Patti, 30 minutes away to get a lift to the station, 10 minutes away. Now we have to walk 25 minutes down a dangerous road with dangerous drivers with a large suitcase and other bags to get our early morning train. We have a family occasion in Patti at 11 am on Sunday morning. The positive points of the hotel are paled into insignificance with the negative points of our stay. And we also have to leave a day early and stay in Palermo again as the shuttle bus/ lifts to the local train station are non existent for an early train. We need to leave our family celebration early and return to Palermo and pay for a hotel on the Sunday night so we can make our late morning flight. The cost of a private transfer was quoted at €500. 😱 There is an older lady in reception who is very rude and unhelpful. When I explained that non of this is made clear in the book in the room, she argued with me and I proved her wrong. The only information in English is about the restaurant and the room safe. Absolutely nothing about shuttle bus or any information about the local town. No information about local restaurants, bars, day trips or local

A nice hotel- clean, modern and friendly. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes and views. BUT isolated. 2 1/2 hrs from Catania airport (read more about transfers below) and half way up steep, rocky hillside. Roads are steep and winding with lots of u-bends. You need a car as you cannot walk to town for evening meals/shops (too steep/dangerous) and drivers need to be confident, sober and used to parking on edge of a cliff! We haven’t seen any taxis. ‘LoveHolidays’ totally stung us after we realised that transfers had not appeared on our booking. After 4 phone calls they admitted they couldn’t find transfers to the hotel and we’d have to organise it ourselves. The huge distance (which we hadn’t spotted) and evening arrival time would have cost 600 euros taxi round trip. We ended up forgoing day 1 of hotel, booking accommodation at the airport and hiring a car the next day. Other considerations: a beautifully Italian resort with few English speakers (don’t come here if you prefer Brits abroad!) Plus lots of hidden costs eg E160 on day one for local taxes and use of beach. Hotel food rubbish - lots of processed, sugary food- little fresh - not even orange juice!

Hotel view is incredible of the sea and mountains. However, please do think wisely before booking. The hotel is 4hours from the airport. Taxi is €280. You will need to a get a bus and two trains plus another 30min walk incline walk to the hotel. But some shops can call them to collect you from the station. The hotel rooms are decent, and clean. The " buffet" is very limited on their hot/cold food. If you are a fussy eater be prepared to be disappointed and hungry. All the food is covered in oil and doesn't taste good. You will need a swimming cap in the pool! Otherwise, you'll be asked to leave. You can buy it at the bar from 2pm onwards this also includes buying drinks/snacks. The hotel offer a shuttle to the beach and town. But after 7pm they will not come and get you, if you happened to miss the shuttle. You'll have to make your own way back to the hotel in the dark. The town restaurant are closed until after 7pm not much to see or do around their either. The entrainment in the evenings is loud and a mixture of music Italian/English.