Villa Ortensia

We spent over a week (9 nights) at Villa Ortensja as the second leg of our trip to Sicily, this time in its western part. It was an excellent choice. The villa is located near the center of the fishing town, away from the hustle and bustle of Catania, yet very close to the sea. Beaches with pools, clubs, and restaurants are nearby. There's also a bus stop nearby, and parking is available right next to the villa. The rooms are spacious, clean, and stylishly furnished with beautiful views. The property is managed by a very friendly family. A continental breakfast is served in the morning. We highly recommend this place for shorter or longer stays, both for relaxation and as a base for trips south to Syracuse, Ragusa, or in the opposite direction to Mount Etna, Taormina.

I stayed here with my daughter and we were thrilled. Breakfast is the real strong point of the property: Enza's homemade pastries, fresh ricotta, jams, sesame cookies, and fresh fruit are worth the entire stay on their own. The B&B's location is convenient and the nights are very quiet (the presence of mosquito nets in the room is excellent). There is also the possibility of going on excursions. For the sea, there is a beach club in front, but we loved the free rocky beach near the castle, reachable with a 15-minute walk: the water there is truly wonderful. Highly recommended!

We had a delightful stay at Villa Ortensia, which was our base for exploring Catania, Mount Enta, and the surrounding sites. It was easy to find and it's in a gated community right across from the beach. The room was clean and very comfortable, but the highlight of our stay was breakfast in the garden each morning. Just lovely!