Hotel Ipanema

Hotel is very good located. Very nice patio with lemon trees. Balconies with a sea view which is very romantic. Good breakfast. Very close to the beach and there is a pool on a roof top. Rooms are clean but… very poor equipped. No iron, no coffee, no tea maker. Wi-Fi is weak and works well only in lobby. 4 stars only because of location, balcony and pool on a roof. Otherwise it’s a 3 stars hotel

Great location, very old-fashioned decor and a bit drab. Breakfast wasn’t the best but all in all the rooms are okay and it’s very easy walk to the cable cart

The hotel was clean and comfortable and most of the staff were lovely, however it is quite outdated and could do with a revamp tbh. I went half board and the food was fine first couple of days but became quite repetitive. Would have been nice to have some other options instead of pasta, fish and roast potatoes every night and the breakfast was same every morning. Had a lovely room with a sea view though, so that was a plus!

I have to start by saying that we were a party of 3. My good lady and myself in our 70's and a close friend in his 80's. Our Holiday was booked back in March of '24 for Sep '24. At the last minute just before we left the Travel Agent called us to say that they had no room for our 80year old friend at that he has to go elswhere. As we had no time to rebook or anything he was moved to a Hotel 2.5km away from us. We were devastated that they could treat an old man this way. They claim there is a bus every 15 mins from this hotel to us but he tried to catch one many times but they would never stop for him. In the end he caught a taxi for 20 Euro's either way daily. We ere there for 7 days. That aside, the Hotel Ipanema was the worst I have stayed in in 70 years. It was built in 1982 and it looks and feels like it has had nothing done to it since. Maintenance was nil. I have attached a few pictures showing the dated old decor and seriously rusty balcony, old pelmet falling down, door shutter broken and peeling varnish, radio didn't work, the bathroom light switch was hidden behind a door which was found by the receptionist after a search. Breakfast on the first day was a nightmare. We had a very limited cold meat and cheese offer to select from. My good lady and I seated at a 2 seater and had a little breakfast. We were approached by a waiter who said "Tomorrow you will NOT sit here, you will seat at the big tables with other people!" I was furious and as I like to eat in peace with my wife and will NOT be told to sit at a table with others. We left the dining room NEVER to return, we ate out from then on. MARIA, the receptionist for most of our stay was excellent, i cannot say the same for the rest. The other problem was no tea/coffee in the room. Infact they said you cannot heat water in the rooms. Instead, if you want a cup of coffee or tea, you have it with your meal from a machine. If you want it outside of these times you will need to buy a cup. We went down the very dangerous road to a different Hotel for breakfast and coffee etc. The road has NO pavements and is seriously narrow. You take your lives in your hands walking there. WWE WILL NOT BE STAYING THERE AGAIN AND ADVISE EVERYONE TO STEER CLEAR.

The Hotel Ipanema is a little dated, but in a way that added to the charm of a lovely week away. Rooms are well sized and kept thoroughly clean and well serviced. Lots of cupboard and drawer space and it was nice to have a proper room safe with a key and a mini fridge was nice to chill wine. All rooms face the same way which gives every balcony a side sea-view. Obviously, the higher floors (4th) have the better views. Christine on reception was fantastic in offering help and advice on local tourist questions and in sorting out a quite room for us (as per my pre-arrival request). We travelled with Jet2Holidays who are always exceptional with their communications and transfer arrangements on the day. We stayed on the half board option. Breakfast was a little limited in range compared to bigger hotels, but there were enough options for us to eat well before of day out. Typically I had bread, rolls, ham, boiled eggs, yoghurt, and fruit each day. Evening meals offered a choice of 4 starters (including salad, pasta, risotto, or soup); 3 main courses; and 4 desserts (2 cakes, fruit salad, and crème caramel). Service was quick and attentive every evening with food served at your table brought to you on serving dishes on tea trolley. A special mention for Vincenzo who looked after us so well. We did not use the roof top pool because the sea was so inviting at Isola Bella. Mario in the bar (who also served in the restaurant) was great entertainment. There is also a nice secluded outside area to sit and lounge or to have your pre-dinner drink or post-dinner coffee. Tourist tips: The local roads do not have pavements but the traffic is respectful of pedestrians and we felt totally safe walking the 40 mins to the centre of Letojanni and 1hr 20 mins to Giardini Naxas for two different days out (just walk towards oncoming traffic). We walked up into central Taormina twice, and used the cable car once (6 Euros) and bus once (1.90 Euros). Walking down from town is much easier but take care on the uneven steps. Great days out to Etna (excursion) and Castelmola (the ride by local bus was entertaining and the views spectacular). The Amphitheatre is a must to see and the local public gardens are worth a stroll. Best value local bars / cafes (Al Paladini – Café - Bellcafé Italia near Isola Bella zebra crossing) and Capriccio (in central Taormina). Finally, shop around – central Taormina itself is very expensive so eat and drink where the locals do.