Arathena Rocks Hotel

There’s quite a mixture of reviews here and having spent 6 nights in the hotel here’s my pros and cons and in balance I would go back and really enjoyed Giardini Naxos Pros * exceptionally clean *mostly friendly staff ( older dark hair woman was very helpful as was the waiter at breakfast) * magic location for direct access into sea and this made up for the extra walking distance to the town * 15/20 mins walk to main restaurant ***** and loads of great ones to choose from including La Cambusa ( white lotus scene shot here) * very comfortable beds * always sun loungers in shade or sun * good location to visit Taormina which we did one early morning To go to isola Bella by bus ( €1.90 each way but a good 25 mins walk to get to bus stop) and another later evening for a meal, bus a short journey and you buy a ticket before you get in the bus - not with the driver. We didn’t use a taxi but the sign at Taormina bus station said €30 to Naxos so not sure if there is a cheaper option * transfer from Catania airport was 45 mins and I used Transfeero and cost €92 , I also used them to back to Catania city for a night there and it was also €92 * the main bus terminal is really just another bus stop and similar distance to walk to as the one in the town but a nicer walk and we also found Bar Oasis which had a fantastic lunch menu option and granita to try here- it was so good we went twice Cons *our room was at the back and the last 2 mornings we were woken at 5am with a delivery, if you can book a sea view room * tired in places for the outside areas * you need to be able to walk to get into the town/restaurant area but that’s the trade off for having direct sea access

The location is excellent. Easily accessible by car and no issue with parking. This hotel is right on the water and within walking distance of the small town centre. I gave it a rating of 3 stars as it is a tired hotel. If the owners would put some money into it, this hotel could easily become a 5 star resort!! Dinner was a set menu. Not impressed with the quality of the food considering the Sicilian food we’ve come accustomed to. Our room was in the 3rd floor (corner) and we had a spectacular view from our balcony!!! Highly recommend room 303. We got a view of both Mount Etna and the ocean. The bed was cozy and clean. The washroom was efficient and clean. There is a safe and a small fridge in the room. Very quiet area (May-not high season) There is an old style elevator that is slow but gets the job done. The pool area was in need of an upgrade. Pool is NOT heated. Many of the lounge chairs have seen better days. They charge $3 euros a day for a towel. No bar service at the pool . At least we never saw anyone offering drinks). Staff were friendly and pleasant.

We spent a very relaxing week at the Arathena Rocks Hotel. The staff are all friendly and helpful, the food was good and the place was spotless. The location is on the edge of this busy little tourist town, which has lots of places to eat and lots of opportunities for day trips. Taormina is a short bus ride away; we visited twice.

An extremely kind, friendly, professional staff, which is true for everyone. Manuela who is the best chief receptionist ever, Alexandro the corteous, smiling, handsome waiter, barkeeper, restaurant chief, Giuseppe who guarantees a great,fresh enjoyable breakfast service etc. Impossible to name everyone. Thank you Arathena staff for giving the best summer experience each year.