Grand Hotel Villa Politi 1862

Hidden behind rows of trees, it's hard to know what to expect when turning off the road that runs in front of Grand Hotel Villa Politi. Once past the driveway, the stately villa reveals itself, set on a manmade cliff that was a quarry in ancient Greek times. The sheer sides are so steep that scaling the rock would be impossible, so the site was also used as an open-air jail throughout history. The archaeological area was so impressive that it was included as a must-see on the “Grand Tour” of the European upper class in the 17th century.

The double staircase leading up to the hotel deposits guests on a wide veranda. Dark wood paneling and jewel-tone upholstered furniture dominate the entryway, but past the front desk, the hotel opens to a classic salon that hints at the property’s 19th-century architecture. A large stained glass skylight brings needed brightness into the main lobby, where an original stately fireplace is offset by a grand staircase.

While the interior is full of elegant accents and classic charm, the outdoor space is where the hotel shines. The grounds are extensive, with gardens and plenty of shaded seating. When the sun is out, most guests can be found lounging by the outdoor pool at the back of the property. 

The hotel’s old-school aesthetic and somewhat secluded location tends to attract mature couples and business travelers in town for conferences that are sometimes hosted on the grounds. 

The hotel is set on the Capuchin Quarry in a residential area that feels remote, although it's fairly central for Syracuse. There's a private beach about 300 yards from the hotel, but not much past the property's gates.  Most dining and top attractions are located on the island of Ortigia, which is just over ten minutes away by car. There's also a public bus to Ortigia that passes the front of the hotel. 

• 10-minute walk to the archaeological museum of Syracuse
• Seven-minute drive to the archaeological park of Neapolis  
• Eight-minute drive to the Syracuse Central Train Station
• 11-minute drive to the Temple of Apollo
• 12-minute drive to the Cathedral of Syracuse
• 55-minute drive to Catania Airport

The guest rooms at Grand Hotel Villa Politi are suitably timeless, with herringbone wood floors, golden-yellow bedspreads, sweeping drapes, and period furniture. While they're well-maintained and classic, the overall look is a bit dated, and several features that make a stay feel upscale are missing. Still, rooms are comfortable and attractive, with desks, headboards, and wardrobes, and higher-end rooms add small seating areas. Many units offer ocean views, with large shutters that open to furnished balconies that boast a glimpse of the sea -- about 300 yards away. All have AC, flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi to keep guests connected to the outside world, but there are no kettles of coffeemakers. Bathrooms are tidy but underwhelming, and generally need to be updated more so than rooms. They contain stall showers, bidets, and some have whirlpool tubs. But toiletries are skimpy, and even the Suites are missing posh extras, such as terrycloth robes. 

The hotel takes full advantage of its illustrious past and has converted the grand salon on the entry level into a large dining room. Its restaurant serves a fairly typical European hotel breakfast -- heavy on the cold buffet items. In the evening, the restaurant serves a daily three-course Italian meal, or offers a la carte options. 

The most notable feature of the hotel is certainly the large outdoor seasonal pool. Surrounded by an expansive brick deck for lounging. A small bar keeps sun-seekers lubricated, but many guests choose to bring their own food and drinks down to the pool area. For those who prefer ocean waters, the Grand Hotel Villa Politi has a private undeveloped rocky beach area about five minutes down the road. There's also free on-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout.