Arathena Rocks Hotel

Arathena Rocks Hotel is a property dating to the 1960s, a fact that will surprise no one as the hotel has changed very little over the decades. In every which way, the eye is treated to traditional Sicilian folk art and furniture in a rainbow of colors: think hand-carved benches and tiled floors and walls, and in the rooms, hand-painted wooden headboards, doors, and medicine cabinets. The heavy antique furnishings and bold colors can make the common spaces feel dark, but most guests are charmed by the retro, folksy vibe. The hotel opens up to a wide, well-manicured lawn with plastic seating and potted flowers, and a rugged shore where waves crash dramatically against the rugged black rocks. The roaring waves, sea mist, quiet location away from the Giadini Naxos nightlife, and homey, distinctive decor tends to appeal to Arathena Rocks guests, who are typically European couples staying for a week in the summertime.

Arathena Rocks Hotel is located at the southern tip of Giardini Naxos, a beach resort near Taormina in Sicily. Giardini Naxos is known for its nightlife, but at this end of the resort, things stay quiet and peaceful. Expect a 15-minute walk from the hotel to the beginning of Giardini Naxos’ main drag; alternatively the Interbus bus line running to Taormina and the rest of Giardini Naxos line starts about 300 meters from the hotel. The entrance to the Museum and Archaeological Area of ​​Naxos is about a nine-minute walk from the hotel. The trip to and from Catania Fontanarossa Airport by car takes about 50 minutes.

The main thing you need to know about the rooms is that they’re available facing the sea and facing the back of the hotel. The sea-view ones are certainly worth the higher price, as they feature spacious balconies and lovely views of the waves crashing against the rocks, while rooms along the hotel’s backside face the road and have French balconies that you can’t actually step out onto. Like the rest of the hotel, rooms are a time capsule of the hotel’s 1960s era, with quaintly painted headboards, old-fashioned blue-and-yellow bedspreads, and heavy wooden furnishings. All rooms have empty mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and small flat-screen TVs, but there are no coffee or tea facilities. Most bathrooms have bathtubs, and the only toiletries provided are individual shampoo and shower gel packets and shower caps. Some rooms sleep three or four guests; one triple room has a huge terrace with views of Giardini Naxos and Mt. Etna (but not the sea). Wi-Fi is free in the rooms, but it’s slow.

Arathena Rocks’ main perk is its quiet beachfront location with impressive views of the dramatic waves. The beach itself is too rocky for swimming, but there are loungers set up for sunbathing and relaxing to the sound of the surf. The incredible sea views are on full display from the hotel’s restaurant/bar, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus drinks, such as Aperol Spritzes, throughout the day. Breakfast is included with all bookings; the buffet includes eggs, bacon, and a variety of toasts, plus ham, salami, sliced cheese, and fresh OJ. Guests with a sweet tooth can indulge in pastries, waffles, and yogurt with honey. Lunch is served a la carte and dinner features a salad buffet and two courses served at the table. Most guests opt for the standard board (breakfast only) or half board with dinner. Just past the restaurant is Arathena Rocks’ good-sized pool, which is filled with filtered water from the sea. Pool towel service is available. Wi-Fi and parking are both free at Arathena Rocks, though note that the Wi-Fi can be slow and the parking is unguarded. Pets are not allowed at Arathena Rocks.