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Hotel Villa Sonia

Taormina , Via Porta Mola, 9 (Show on Map)

8.4

Very Good

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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests

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Summary of reviewsHotel Villa Sonia garners high regard for its exceptional location and breathtaking panoramic views of Mount Etna from its position in the quaint village of Castelmola. The property offers a serene and peaceful environment, ideal for travelers wanting to escape busy tourist spots. Guests frequently commend the stunning scenery, charming traditional decor and the well-maintained swimming pool, all of which contribute to a delightful stay.

The breakfast at Hotel Villa Sonia is generally praised for its variety and quality, featuring a mix of sweet and savory options, including gluten-free choices. The opportunity to enjoy a meal with a view of Mount Etna from the terrace enhances the dining experience. Dinner also receives high marks with visitors enjoying the on-site restaurant and the nearby Bistro La Caverna, noted for its excellent food and reasonable prices. The broader dining options within Castelmola add an attractive variety for guests.

Rooms at the hotel are spacious, often highlighted for their cleanliness and the wonderful views of Mount Etna from the balconies. The traditional and rustic charm appeals to many, although some guests note that the decor is outdated and rooms could benefit from modernization. Comfort levels regarding beds and bathrooms vary with some finding the mattresses too hard and facilities in need of an upgrade.

The staff at Hotel Villa Sonia receive consistently positive feedback for their friendliness and professionalism. Guests frequently mention the helpfulness of the reception staff, particularly Paolo and David and appreciate the attentive service throughout their stay. This welcoming atmosphere significantly enhances the overall guest experience.

While the hotel's cleanliness is largely praised, there are occasional mentions of issues such as dusty rooms and unclean bathroom tiles. However, the staff's dedication to maintaining a pleasant environment is evident, contributing to a generally positive stay.

The hotel's pool area is celebrated for its beauty and the magnificent views of Mount Etna it offers. Though the plastic furniture around the pool may need updating, the area is well-maintained, providing a serene and relaxing space for guests.

Wi-Fi connectivity is a mixed experience, working well in common areas but often lacking in individual rooms. Parking at Hotel Villa Sonia, though secure and convenient, comes at an additional cost and has some accessibility challenges. Nonetheless, the free shuttle service to the center of Taormina mitigates some of these issues.

In conclusion, Hotel Villa Sonia is cherished for its picturesque location, excellent service, delectable dining options and impressive views. However, there's room for improvement in room modernization, Wi-Fi connectivity and some aspects of cleanliness. Despite these areas for enhancement, the hotel's charm, supported by a dedicated staff, leaves a lasting positive impression on its guests.
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Categories

Boutique-style Hotel

Luxury Hotel

Hotel for Honeymoon

Family Friendly Hotel

Romantic Hotel

Hotel with Swimming Pool

Outdoor Pool

Location of the pool: Outdoor pool

When is the pool open? From 1 May to 15 October

Opening hours: 09:30 - 18:30

Business Hotel

Hotel with Parking

Accessible Hotel

4-Star Hotel

Hotel with Outdoor Pool

Room Types

Classic Double Room Rustic-style room overlooking the street or the garden.

Superior Double or Twin Room with View Features a balcony with views of Mount Etna.

Deluxe Double or Twin Room with View Features a spa bath and a balcony with view of Mount Etna.

Double Room with Small Double Bed Rustic-style room overlooking the street.

Suite This suite comprises 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The air-conditioned suite provides a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a minibar, a seating area, a wardrobe as well as mountain views. The unit offers 3 beds.

Double or Twin Room with Mountain View This air-conditioned twin/double room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with mountain views.

Superior Double or Twin Room with Mountain View This air-conditioned twin/double room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with mountain views.

One-Bedroom Villa The hot tub is the standout feature of this villa. Boasting a private entrance, this air-conditioned villa features 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 2 bathrooms with a bath and a shower. In the well-equipped kitchen, guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven. Featuring a terrace with sea views, this villa also features a washing machine and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit has 2 beds.

About Hotel Villa Sonia

License: 19083015A200443

Guest Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Location

Hotel Villa Sonia boasts an exceptional location high above Taormina, providing breathtaking, panoramic views of Mount Etna. This quiet and peaceful setting in the picturesque village of Castelmola offers a perfect alternative for travelers wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of more crowded areas. The property is beautifully positioned, almost at the top of the mountain, featuring charming traditional decor and a superb view both from room balconies and the pool.

Visitors have highlighted the wonderful ambience, enhanced by the stunning scenery and extraordinary landscape. The hotel is well connected to both Taormina and Castelmola, making it ideal for exploring these areas. It’s just a short walk to Castelmola's city center and only a 15-minute drive to Taormina, although the route involves a winding road.

Guests consistently praise the serene environment and prime location of Hotel Villa Sonia, complimented by an attentive and welcoming staff. The splendid site of the hotel, coupled with wonderful amenities like a swimming pool and panoramic terrace, makes it a hidden gem in the area. The fantastic views of Mount Etna, especially from the terraces and rooms, mark this hotel as an outstanding choice for any traveler looking to soak in the beauty of Sicily.

Breakfast

The guest reviews of Hotel Villa Sonia's breakfast showcase a broad spectrum of opinions, but largely lean towards positivity. Many guests appreciated the extensive and varied selection, describing the breakfast as abundant, rich and delightful. The inclusion of both sweet and savory options was noted favorably with some guests highlighting the availability of gluten-free choices.

The quality of the breakfast was frequently praised with multiple reviewers noting it as very good or excellent. Guests also enjoyed the beautiful view of Mount Etna from the terrace while having their meals, adding a unique and scenic element to their dining experience. The friendly service from the staff was another repeated positive aspect.

However, a few guests found the breakfast to be disappointing or in need of improvement. Criticisms included a lack of variety, bland taste, limited selection and specific inconveniences such as having to boil eggs oneself. Despite these occasional complaints, the overall consensus leans towards a satisfactory and enjoyable breakfast experience at Hotel Villa Sonia with highlights being its variety, quality and stunning terrace views.

Dinner

Hotel Villa Sonia offers a delightful dining experience with its well-regarded restaurant serving delicious dishes that guests find very pleasant. The establishment provides very good meals at reasonable prices, adding to its charm as a dining destination. Although the hotel's restaurant is typically used for breakfast, it transforms into a dining area in the evenings, ensuring that guests can enjoy a lovely dinner on-site.

In addition to its own restaurant, Hotel Villa Sonia benefits from its proximity to the Bistro La Caverna, located just a few meters away. This affiliated restaurant is described as equally wonderful, charming and great, offering good food that guests recommend trying. For those looking for variety, there's also the delightful option of dining in Castelmola, which not only boasts delicious meals but also spectacular views of the ocean. While some might find the recommended big restaurant less impressive, the overall dining experience around Hotel Villa Sonia is positively highlighted by its nearby culinary options.

Rooms

Hotel Villa Sonia’s rooms offer a mixed experience for guests. Positively, the rooms are often described as spacious and clean with many featuring balconies offering spectacular views of Mount Etna. There is a notable rustic charm, traditional decor and a pleasant atmosphere throughout the hotel. The staff is frequently praised for being friendly and helpful, adding to the overall experience.

However, several reviews indicate areas that may need attention. The furnishings and decor are often described as outdated with some noting the 80s and 90s aesthetic featuring dark wood and pink walls. Guests have also commented on the cleanliness issues in some rooms, though many find the rooms to be well-maintained and cleaned daily.

Comfort seems varied with comments on hard mattresses and pillows being common, though some guests found the beds comfortable. Bathrooms, while sometimes praised for their size, were often noted to be dated with some having small or noisy facilities.

In summary, Hotel Villa Sonia provides spacious accommodation with beautiful views and a traditional charm, but there is room for improvement in terms of modernization and consistency in cleanliness and comfort.

Beds

Hotel Villa Sonia offers a mixed experience when it comes to the beds. Many guests have praised the comfortable beds with comments highlighting good bedding quality and mattresses that strike the right balance in terms of firmness. Phrases such as super comfy beds and delightful beds indicate a generally positive reception. However, some guests found the mattresses to be overly hard and this sentiment was echoed by several reviews. Additionally, issues like two beds being pushed together instead of providing a proper double bed and the single beds being less comfortable were noted. A few reviews also pointed out that some mattresses felt old and the extra bed could be more stable. Despite these drawbacks, the overall comfort of the sleeping arrangements receives favorable mentions, especially the double beds.

Cleanliness

Hotel Villa Sonia, located on a picturesque high mountain slope, has generated mixed feedback regarding its cleanliness. Guests have noted that the hotel is generally very clean with spacious and airy rooms. The interiors, adorned with antique-style furnishings, bring a unique and stylish atmosphere to the property which many found appealing. Some reviews emphasize the cleanliness of the accommodation, describing it as very clean and comfortable.

However, comments about the cleanliness are not unanimously positive. Several guests pointed out issues such as dusty rooms, dirty bathroom tiles and instances where the sheets appeared unclean. A few noted a musty smell and mold in the bathrooms, which detracted from their overall experience. Some guests also mentioned that the level of cleanliness could be more consistent, citing examples of torn sheets and beds that were not thoroughly cleaned upon arrival.

Despite these concerns, the staff received praise for their helpfulness and availability, contributing to an overall pleasant stay for many visitors. While the building's old-world charm is appreciated, some guests feel that a bit more maintenance and modernization could enhance the experience significantly.

Staff

When it comes to the hospitality at Hotel Villa Sonia, the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the staff stands out. Across numerous guest reviews, the consensus paints a picture of a dedicated team that excels in friendliness and professionalism. Guests frequently highlight the warm and welcoming nature of the staff with many noting their politeness, cheerfulness and attentiveness. Specific mentions of Paolo and David at reception highlight their exceptional helpfulness and accommodation.

Reviewers appreciate that the staff go out of their way to provide assistance, whether it's facilitating online check-ins, confirming taxi journeys or offering personalized advice on local attractions. The reception is noted for its extended hours of availability and the team’s multilingual capabilities, particularly in French and English.

The positive remarks also extend to other areas of service within the hotel. Guests mention the efficient and friendly service at breakfast, as well as the hotel's overall quiet and pleasant environment, made even better by the attentive staff. Even the hotel's vinotek drew praise for its professional management.

However, it's worth noting that there were occasional mentions of staff being absent for extended periods at the pool, suggesting a minor area for improvement.

Overall, the staff at Hotel Villa Sonia have left a lasting impression on guests, earning praise for their helpfulness, kindness and the ability to make visitors feel genuinely welcomed during their stay.

Wi-Fi

The wifi at Hotel Villa Sonia offers a mixed experience. While some guests found that the connection works well, particularly in the reception area, others faced challenges, such as the wifi being out of range in their rooms and continuous disconnections. Issues with slow internet speed and overall data problems appear to stem from the town itself, suggesting that the hotel may not be entirely at fault for all connectivity issues. Despite these occasional drawbacks, the wifi generally functions adequately in common areas.

Pool

Nestled in a picturesque location, Hotel Villa Sonia boasts a pool area that consistently garners high praise from its guests. The standout features include the stunning views of Mount Etna, which can be enjoyed directly from the pool. Guests frequently describe the pool as lovely, beautiful and serene. Its cleanliness and the ample number of sunbeds and umbrellas enhance the experience.

The setting of the pool offers wide-ranging and magnificent views, making it a favored spot for relaxation. Those who value a scenic backdrop while swimming will appreciate the panoramic vistas provided by the hotel's position. While some noted the need for an upgrade of the plastic furniture in the pool area, the overall consensus highlights a well-maintained and pleasant space. Whether one seeks a large, clean pool for leisurely swims or a comfortable spot to soak up the sun, Hotel Villa Sonia's pool area delivers an inviting escape framed by the awe-inspiring silhouette of Mount Etna.

Parking

Hotel Villa Sonia offers parking facilities that have received a mix of reviews from guests. While there is parking available both in the hotel's courtyard and in an underground garage across the street, guests must pay a fee of 7 euros per day. Some guests found the parking convenient and praised the security of the car park, which is essential given the hotel's location close to the center. The parking options included enough spaces and good alternatives, even for motorcycles, which could be parked for free.

However, there were some challenges noted by guests; navigating the parking area could be uncomfortable and a bit difficult. Payment for parking was required upon checkout and a few guests felt that parking should be free for residents. Despite these issues, the hotel mitigates some inconvenience with a free shuttle service to the center of Taormina, although this service ends at 7 PM.

Overall, Hotel Villa Sonia provides a good parking option in a prime location, but it comes at an additional cost and with certain accessibility challenges.

4 Star

Hotel Villa Sonia, despite its four-star rating, has garnered mixed evaluations from guests, many of whom feel that it does not meet the standards typically expected of such a rating. The hotel appears to be somewhat outdated with a decor reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s, featuring dark wood and pink walls. Some guests noted that the hotel, though well-maintained, shows its age and could benefit from renovations.

The overall sentiment is one of disappointment with many guests suggesting that their experience fell short of what they had anticipated from a four-star establishment. Remarks also included that the hotel did not compare favorably even to some two-star accommodations. Additionally, specific issues such as the closure of the pool area added to the dissatisfaction.

Nevertheless, there were some positive mentions about the rustic decor of the rooms, which some guests found appealing. It appears that while the hotel has certain charm, it doesn't consistently deliver the level of comfort and modernity expected from a four-star rating.

Accessible

Hotel Villa Sonia offers commendable accessibility for guests with disabilities, particularly with its transportation options. The hotel provides a convenient shuttle service to and from the center of Taormina several times a day, easing the journey for those who might have difficulty navigating on their own. Guests can also take advantage of a bus service to Taormina with a bus stop conveniently located right outside the hotel. For those needing travel beyond Taormina, such as Castelmola, the hotel recognizes the necessity of providing shuttle alternatives. Overall, its proximity to Taormina and the thoughtful transportation arrangements contribute to a comfortable stay for guests with mobility challenges.

Yes, Hotel Villa Sonia has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool. For more information, read the answers to the Pool questionnaire

No, a spa isn't available at Hotel Villa Sonia.

No, Hotel Villa Sonia doesn't allow dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at Hotel Villa Sonia.

No, Hotel Villa Sonia doesn't have a gym.

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