GH Avalon Sikani

Still in the hotel as I write this. 😐 It is the last week of September and contrary to the hotels reply to the previous review there is NO entertainment, despite it being a Friday night. We were supposed to stay from last Monday night, 22nd September, but instead we had to book a room in Palermo as the hotel is so far away from the airport and there was a train strike so we missed the last train to here. The following morning we made our way here using 2 train connections. Arrived at the train station in the local town and realised there weren't any local taxi's. We rang the hotel and they sent a shuttle bus, which we were grateful for. However we had not been informed of this. First impressions of the hotel, it was beautiful and the scenery was spectacular. Rooms were clean and spacious and cleaning staff were very efficient. Beds comfy, fridge in room but not a minibar as stated. Also no kettle/ coffee machine. Small disappointment. 😒 However, things got worse. I knew there was a free shuttle bus to the beach. But when we were ready at 12.50 I was told we had to wait until 15.00. We waited and then discovered that the beach was empty and miles and miles away from the local town, with a cafe with staff who didn't understand what we were saying. There is a beach in the town with local shops and cafes but they at first refused to drop us there and said there were no local taxi's. However another receptionist explained that we could be dropped there if we agreed to paid €3 per person per trip. We didn't mind this but it was never explained even though we asked 2 receptionist about taxi's into town. The third receptionist did explain on the 3rd day of the holiday. 😬 Then I asked about a lift on the bus to get a train after 8 am and staff were so unhelpful, saying the shuttle bus does not run until 9 am and to a ring a taxi in Patti, 30 minutes away to get a lift to the station, 10 minutes away. Now we have to walk 25 minutes down a dangerous road with dangerous drivers with a large suitcase and other bags to get our early morning train. We have a family occasion in Patti at 11 am on Sunday morning. The positive points of the hotel are paled into insignificance with the negative points of our stay. And we also have to leave a day early and stay in Palermo again as the shuttle bus/ lifts to the local train station are non existent for an early train. We need to leave our family celebration early and return to Palermo and pay for a hotel on the Sunday night so we can make our late morning flight. The cost of a private transfer was quoted at €500. 😱 There is an older lady in reception who is very rude and unhelpful. When I explained that non of this is made clear in the book in the room, she argued with me and I proved her wrong. The only information in English is about the restaurant and the room safe. Absolutely nothing about shuttle bus or any information about the local town. No information about local restaurants, bars, day trips or local

We had a good holiday here in July 2024 views are amazing room was spacious everything you need in the room & it was cleaned every day restocked towels shampoo shower gel & soap too also a hair dryer in bathroom enjoyed the free breakfast plenty of choice & the air conditioning lovely & cool the infinity was beautiful stunning views very relaxing only negative is the parking & would recommend a car overall great holiday

A nice hotel- clean, modern and friendly. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes and views. BUT isolated. 2 1/2 hrs from Catania airport (read more about transfers below) and half way up steep, rocky hillside. Roads are steep and winding with lots of u-bends. You need a car as you cannot walk to town for evening meals/shops (too steep/dangerous) and drivers need to be confident, sober and used to parking on edge of a cliff! We haven’t seen any taxis. ‘LoveHolidays’ totally stung us after we realised that transfers had not appeared on our booking. After 4 phone calls they admitted they couldn’t find transfers to the hotel and we’d have to organise it ourselves. The huge distance (which we hadn’t spotted) and evening arrival time would have cost 600 euros taxi round trip. We ended up forgoing day 1 of hotel, booking accommodation at the airport and hiring a car the next day. Other considerations: a beautifully Italian resort with few English speakers (don’t come here if you prefer Brits abroad!) Plus lots of hidden costs eg E160 on day one for local taxes and use of beach. Hotel food rubbish - lots of processed, sugary food- little fresh - not even orange juice!

Very bad location, no taxis, shops ,buildings on hill , worse holiday ever we had. Rare people can speak English hard to communicate,sound come from outside at night, so many hidden charges,if you miss hotel shuttle you have to walk 40 minutes on hill . Nightmare

I stayed at this hotel with my three daughters (14, 11 and 3) .They enjoyed the stay, had lots of fun in the pool and with the animation team. The youngest really enjoyed the baby dance!... Staff were extremely friendly, caring and pleasant, starting from the reception, restaurant and animation. The staff went above and beyond to make my stay as a single mother as easy as possible. They accomodated our requests for dishes (they youngest one is a very picky eater) and even found a pair of armbands for the little one to enjoy the pool! Buffet breakfast is abundant with many choices from sweet to savoury and fresh fruit at every meal! Meals are generally very tasty and delicious with different options everyday... Room was very clean and spacious, beds comfortable. Great service of a minibus to and from the beach is also available every 10-15 min so if you are looking for some relax time and not sightseeing you don't even need to use your car! The recdptions staff set us up with a day trip to Eolie Islands, with pick up and drop off right in front of the hotel. That hotel has it all! Could the hotel use a bit of refreshing? Sure, but the perfect location, breathtaking views and sunset, exceptional staff make up a slightly ripped curtain!!

First I'd like to rate the rooms. I rate the rooms 5 stars, very spacious and clean. Next, I'd like to rate the service. The service was great, also five stars, and the staff was very friendly. Always available to help. The food was very tasty and the location was a 5/5 with a beautiful view of the pool. I went during Ferragosto, and they did a lovely dinner for all the hotel. There is baby dance every night for the little ones, and comedy after that. Then, they have group dance, which is like baby dance, but for adults.