Soleado

The hotel is located in two four-story buildings with a terra-cotta roof and a courtyard in the middle. Guests enter through a brick and wrought-iron gate with a lovely bougainvillea growing on the arch above, making a fine welcome for what is otherwise a simple hotel. There is also terrace out front with cafe seating, red umbrellas, and potted plants. The highlight of the hotel is the Stracuzzi family, which has owned it since 1980. They provide a warm and welcoming environment that helps add some personality to a stay here, but otherwise interiors are a bit worn and dated. The lobby is small, but it has a TV and a couple of chairs, and there's a humble breakfast room that doubles as a bar in the evening. This hotel is suitable for budget-savvy families, couples, and singles who want to be in a quieter area but still close to town. 

The hotel is found at the end of Via Dietro Cappuccini, in a quiet residential area that's about 10 minutes from downtown on foot. Private palaces, villas, and other hotels surround the hotel, but there are no shops or restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Corso Umberto -- which is lined with shops selling handmade ceramics, fine leather, wrought iron, wooden items, gourmet goods, and local wines -- is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, as is Taormina's famed Greco-Roman Theater. There is a public funicular for transport to the town's beach about 20 minutes from the hotel on foot (15 minutes by car). The bus station is also 15-minute car or taxi ride from the hotel, while the train station is just over 20 minutes away by road. Catania Fontanarossa Airport is about an hour away by car. 

Guest rooms are spartan and have little in the way of decor beyond white walls, tile floors, and a token piece of floral wall art in some rooms. In fact, some rooms are dated, with tube TVs, old-style bedspreads, and mid-tone wood furnishings. Others are marginally more modern, though still quite basic, with sharper padded headboards and dark wood furniture. These rooms have flat-screen TVs, but in some, the TV is on the desk and limits the desk's use. Rooms are spacious, come with air-conditioning, and have a wardrobe for good storage space. Bathrooms are more contemporary, with brown and white tiling. They come with walk-in tiled showers, hairdryers, and bidets, but counter space is limited in most. All rooms have a balcony or terrace with plastic chairs and a table. Views are of the pool, interior courtyard, or glimpses of the sea and all rooms include free Wi-Fi, though reception can be spotty. 

A great free breakfast is served in the breakfast room that turns into a wine bar in the evening. Breakfast offerings vary from day to day, but include meats, cheeses, pastries, breads, and yogurt plus juice and coffee. Large windows provide nice views, and you can see the sea off in the distance. Drink prices are quite reasonable. The staff will provide a bagged lunch for guests to take along on outings. A small outdoor pool is in the center of the two buildings, with two tall trees for shade. Plastic lounge chairs and umbrellas are provided for poolside relaxing, and potted plants soften the look. Limited parking is available, but is not free, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.