Park Hotel Silemi

“The Time Warp”

If you want a luxury hotel, don't go there. This hotel stays stubbornly somewhere in the 70s, which is kind of charming. They may have done a little bit of renovation (Italian style, sloppy white painting slashed over red bricks etc), but there's no way around it: I have no idea how it got 4 stars.… more

If you want a luxury hotel, don't go there. This hotel stays stubbornly somewhere in the 70s, which is kind of charming. They may have done a little bit of renovation (Italian style, sloppy white painting slashed over red bricks etc), but there's no way around it: I have no idea how it got 4 stars. The light on the balcony didn't work, instead of fixing it, they gave us a portable reading light. The curtains (on a string mechanism) either won't shut, or won't open. The roll down shutters came crashing down one day and wouldn't open again.... It all seems to be held together with a peace of sticky tape. But again, that was also charming, as it isn't one of those soulless tourist silos you see in Spain for example. The breakfast was exactly the same for two weeks, the eggs have no taste, the salami and ham was nice, but not for two weeks... Everyday you had to chase the waiters to refill the water as nobody could drink the sugary artificial chemical stuff that comes out of the "juice" dispenser. The staff at breakfast also takes great pleasure scratching the metal chairs over the tiles, instead of lifting them, making a hell of a noise. The rooms are of good size, the a/c works very well, safe and fridge are for free. Mattresses are good and all is very clean. The shower cabin, made of cheap plastic, is very small, luckily we are rather skinny ;). The balconies are private and quiet big with a view that is just amazing. The waves are noisy because of the pebble beach, and it is nice to fall asleep with the rhythm of the ocean. The staff was nice and helpful, when they were not busy talking among themselves, which they seem to do all the time. Only bad surprise: When checking out we were presented with a bill for water, which we thought was complementary, as it was written nowhere that they charge 2€ for a miniature bottle of water. It's not the 10€, it's the feeling of being taken for a ride. Just go down to the little superette, and you get 1.5 litres for a couple of cents. The hotel is a bit off side, but Lettojanni is only 15 minutes walk. No big deal.

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“Very nice hotel with private beach and pool”

Hôtel is very nice and it’s great having the beach so close. Beach is pebbled so swimming shoes are a must as it’s quite sore on your feet walking or swimming there. There is a nice pool there also. We went in September so it suited us as it was calm and quiet with plenty of room at the pool and be… more

Hôtel is very nice and it’s great having the beach so close. Beach is pebbled so swimming shoes are a must as it’s quite sore on your feet walking or swimming there. There is a nice pool there also. We went in September so it suited us as it was calm and quiet with plenty of room at the pool and beach. Rooms were cleaned each day and new bathroom towels were provided. Hôtel staff were very friendly and helpful. The village of Letojanni is a 20minute walk but you can walk by the seafront so it’s a pleasant walk. There was just one bus at 17.30pm from the hotel each evening to the lovely town of Taormina. We walked into Letojanni to get the bus which leaves every hour. It’s a 15 minute bus journey. There’s seafront restaurants in Letojanni and plenty of other restaurants to sample from in Taormina. Overall we had a great trip. There’s no supermarkets/chemists etc beside the hotel so you’d need to go to Letojanni for anything like that.

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“Hotel Park Selemi”

Well , we had a love/hate relationship with this hotel. We were 2 couples in the 60 to 75 age group. Location : The Good : It is on the beach with a few steps down . The beach is shifting shale and small stones and swimming shoes would be advised, The pool is nice ish size and warmed by the sun. Mo… more

Well , we had a love/hate relationship with this hotel. We were 2 couples in the 60 to 75 age group. Location : The Good : It is on the beach with a few steps down . The beach is shifting shale and small stones and swimming shoes would be advised, The pool is nice ish size and warmed by the sun. Most of the time it is nice temperature , but we got a few cooler days and it got colder. The view from the bedroom balcony is fab,The upper and lower terraces are great for sitting and relaxing and a few drinks/ lunch. Location : The Bad :It is possibly the last hotel on the seafront and 20 mins walk to the strip of Lessojanni.There are no shops or eating places around until you go in to the strip . Rooms :The Good: There are 3 floors with 11 rooms on each facing the sea , and 11 rooms facing inland. We had seaview rooms wit large balcony.The rooms are large and exceptionally clean. Fridge and safe (free).The cleaners do a fab job. Rooms : The Bad : The TV on the wall is ancient and the size of a computer monitor . The key is a big metal clunk with 3 keys , one for the lights , one for the safe and one for the door. We never turned it on. Lifts : there are 2 lifts , one slightly bigger . The small one is the size of two street phone boxes and can only take 4 , or 2 with luggage. The other one is only slightly bigger, but there was no problem getting them while we were there. Dont know about high summer when full. Food : Breakfast : From 7am to 10 am This depends on what one expects from a 4 * hotel. They only provide a tray of Scrambled eggs and a tray of thin chopped sausages in the hot bay . No rashers , mushrooms , fried tomatoes , fried eggs. The rest of the items are the normal 3/4 serials Yogurts /fruit/ ham/ cheese/ salads ( in small quantities ie tomatoes/salad/ cucumber in small bowls and some days not replaced when gone. Bread is limited to loaves which you cut yourself. No rolls or other selection .There are other bready type in sealed packs. Tea and coffey is from a machine but is good. Dinner: We asked what time dinner is at and were told that the resturant was closed . I asked what time it closed at and was told AUGUST ??.but you can eat from the Snack menu at night . Snack Menu : One page menu listing 2 types of salad/ 2 types of Burger / a few pizzas / 2 types of sandwiches./french fries.This is available all day. However , one night we were tired after a tour and decided on something light so went for the snack menu for dinner. We ordered burger and Chips. We were told "Sorry -No chips at night " Lunch : they do a lunch menu form about 12 till 3pm. This generally has 2 sword fish offers , Lasagne and veal . Same every day. However dont provide at night -- Why ?? Staff : The staff are very friendly and helpful . especially Salvo who served us drinks and snacks every day and couldent do enough to help. Pool /beach Umbrellas: There are 35 umbrellas with two sunbeds, half on the beach and half at the pool. We had no problem at any time getting one during our stay. The hotel was probably half full. Not sure in peak summer . Decor : The decor is dated with dark brown furniture in the reception area and lounges but comfortable. The reception is like a small country hotel - with dark brown small counter and on person on a any time. All spoke english and were helpful. Getting There : Its about an hour from Catania airport . We got a private transfer for 95 euros from ZIP on line so shop around . Most other s we priced quoted 120 to 150- including taxi from hotel.Train is also an option.

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