Location:
The villa is located on a quiet residential street approximately 750 meters from the historical city centre of Taormina. There is free street parking right outside the villa gate. Although the villa isn't located in the historical center, it is within walking distance as long as you don't mind walking. The walk to the villa is mostly uphill so it can be exhausting in the the heat. We found the walk to be quite enjoyable, especially after a big Italian dinner or after too many delicious cannolis available in Taormina.
Room Comfort:
We stayed in the sea view room which was big enough for 2 people and had a fairly large bathroom. The room also had a small balcony that provided a nice view of the sea. Breakfast was served on this lovely balcony. The room and bathroom were nicely decorated.
Cleanliness:
The room and bathroom were very clean. The villa grounds were gorgeous and very well maintained.
Service:
The service was excellent. We received prompt responses to our email inquiries prior to booking and although there was a little bit of confusion while making the reservation everything went smoothly upon check-in. The hosts Mike and Rose were extremely pleasant and helpful. Upon arrival we were welcomed with two glasses of wine and some cheese and crackers. They also provided a package of cookies in the room. Mike and Rose are very knowledgeable with the area and provided us with great suggestions for eating out. They provided us with a thorough introduction to the room and area and then informed us to knock on the front door should we need anything else. Excellent service.
Food:
Breakfast was included with our booking and consisted of fresh bread, croissants, jam and yogurt, with a glass of juice. Mike or Rose asked us what time we wanted breakfast the next morning and ensured it was ready by the time we requested it. The breakfast was fresh and good.
Overall Value:
We really enjoyed our stay at Villa Galante. Mike and Rose are great hosts and provide comfortable and clean accommodations close to the heart of the historic city centre. The villa was a relaxing and quiet place to return to after a long day of site seeing. We recommend this villa, as long as you don't mind the short walk to the historical center and back.
Other Notes:
There is an excellent, rarely used, road near the villa that takes you through some forest and other isolated natural areas all the way to a small village that surrounds a castle ruin. This road is excellent for walking or jogging. At the castle ruin, you can get spectacular views of Mount Etna, the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding area. It takes about 45-minutes to jog to the castle since it's mostly uphill (and about 25-minutes to get back), but is well worth the effort. Start by making a right when you exit Villa Galante followed by another right on the next 3 streets. You should reach an old road that first takes you downhill through a forested area and then curves back uphill eventually linking to a more used road in a small village. You should be able to see an interesting bridge and some unrecognizable objects in the distance, see pictures below. Follow this road until you reach the other village and castle. If you are unsure of our directions, ask Mike or Rose and I am sure they will be glad to clarify.
Our Rating: 4.5/5 Year Reviewed: 2009
Expedia.ca
and Hotels.com
offer the best prices on hotels in Taormina, Italy. You can also visit the hotel's website at: www.villagalante.com
Photos:
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