Atlantis Palace Hotel

We stayed here on the 29th May this year. We were supposed to be here for a week but on arrival, we were told our room would not be ready for half an hour. We went for our welcome drink and returned half hour later and asked if our room was ready? Instead of being shown to a room inside the hotel, we were directed across the driveway into a red building, next to the hotel laundry. Our 'room' was part of this building, we had no window, no view, and the garden chairs and small table were placed outside the front door, in front of the red wall! Not happy, we asked to be moved into the hotel and were told that we had booked a low budget room. We argued that we had absolutely not booked a low budget room - we were celebratong our wedding anniversary, why would we book low budget! We were told that the hotel price was more expensive which we were willing to pay to get us out of the 'hovel' we were put in, to be told that the hotel was full. If there were any cancellations, we would be told and offered another room. This never happened. We moved the chairs and table a bit further down but then we discovered that the drains were blocked and there was a horrible smell. It was awful, there was another couple in a room next to ours and the man smoked and so we were breathing in his nicotine fumes. Enough was enough - we looked at another hotel nearer to the city, as this area was really unclean, unkept and poverty stricken, none of which we were told prior to booking. We were in literally the middle of nowhere. The next morning we asked for a taxi to be booked for us and told the staff we were checking out. The 'Director' of the hotel was called and wanted to offer us another room but at that time, it was too little too late, they had failed to help us on arrival, and we felt we had no choice but to leave. Please please avoid this hotel and area at all costs, The whole city of Catania is dirty and run down and is not fir for tourists.

This is a pleasant hotel with a big pool and dining area. Placed in a remote area and is 45mins by car from the airport. The staff are very helpful. The breakfast is basic eg: contential items cheese, cakes, yoghurt plus fried/boiled eggs, bacon and tomatoes. Drinks were provided in our fridge at cost so just be aware of that. If you need a kettle ask for it as there is not one in the room. You do need a hire car or use a taxi to get around as there is a no shops in the area. The train and bus service is easy to use. There is a stone beach 5mins walk across the road, but there is a sand beach with shops and restaurants which is much nicer 20mins drive. You can walk to a restaurant about 25mins away, serving good food be aware the portions are massive so no need for starter and main.

Very poor service. It’s not a four star hotel! Breakfast is a disaster . Tiny buffet with one type of ham and cheese every day for 7 days. We arrived one morning and there wasn’t any plates/coffee cups when I asked staff member about plate she gave me a saucer! No vegetables , sometimes they put bowl of tomatoes but once they gone they’re gone same with eggs etc. Very dirty and dull area if you don’t have a car to travel it’s not worth at all. They don’t have taxis here! Staff ordering some private people to give you a lift but you can’t rely on them. Swimming pool till 6p.m Meals and drinks overpriced at the hotel. Staff barely can speak English. Not impressed at all. Think twice before you make any booking here.