Liberty Hotel

The Liberty Hotel is situated in an Art Nouveau-style villa built in the early 1900s. The salmon-colored exterior has arched windows, green shutters, and small balconies. Decor exemplifies a refined, vintage style. The lobby has Sicilian-style patterned tile floors, an elegant dark wood bar with classic Art Nouveau gold detailing, and original chandeliers with lily-shaped light fixtures. Throughout, marble stairways, voluminous drapes, period couches and armchairs, and antique statuettes, clocks, and tapestries predominate. The romantic, Old World vibe draws large numbers of couples, but the hotel's single rooms and spacious suites also attract families, groups of friends, and solo travelers. 

The Liberty Hotel is located in a quiet residential area of Catania, Sicily's second largest city, but it's still within walking distance of the sights, restaurants, and the historic center. The park Giardino Bellini is a four-minute walk from the hotel, and Via Etnea, a main street filled with restaurants and shops, is about a six-minute walk away. The historic center, with the Piazza San Placido, the Cathedral of St. Agatha, and the 19th-century Teatro Massimo Bellini, is about a 15-minute walk away, as is Castel Ursino. The city's train hub, Catania Cenrale, is about a 20-minute walk, which can be a bit of a trek with suitcases, so most guests take taxis to the hotel. Catania Fontanarossa Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive. On-site parking is available for a fee.

Liberty Hotel's 18 rooms are spacious and decorated in a style that will strike guests as grandly elegant or dated, depending on your perspective. Wall-to-wall carpeting meets neutral walls and high ceilings with painted accents. Refined details include chandelier lights, traditional wood furniture, voluminous drapes, Tiffany-style lampshades, and button-tufted headboards. Bathrooms are especially attractive, with marble and intricate mosaic tiling, bidets, and standing showers. Hairdryers and individually wrapped toiletries are provided. Some include bathrobes.

All rooms have air-conditioning, work desks, flat-screen TVs, electronic safe boxes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. There is no in-room coffee- and tea-making facilities. The hotel has two Single Rooms, nine Doubles (215 to 258 square feet), and seven Luxury Suites (409 to 516 square feet). Larger rooms include sitting areas, sofa beds, balconies, or terraces.

The hotel's vintage, Old World ambience continues to shine through in its features. The hotel has an elegant Reading Room with a small skylight and classic decor that includes antique couches and floral wallpaper. The Winter Garden is a beautiful terrace with an ivy covered canopy, tile floor, and sitting areas. A continental breakfast is included in the room rate, and is served in a lovely room with yellow damask wallpaper and a vaulted ceiling. Breakfast includes classic choices like cereal and fresh fruit, plus savory croissants and cakes. Hot items like eggs and bacon are available for an extra fee. There's no on-site restaurant, but room service will deliver pizza, and there's a small, well-stocked 24-hour bar in the lobby. The hotel also has a meeting room for up to 30 guests.

The staff is attentive, and a concierge can offer recommendations and book tours or obtain tickets. The hotel can also arrange for laundry service, dry cleaning, babysitting, and airport transfers. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.