WHAT A HOTEL!!!!!
I have just come back from traveling Italy and can say that this hotel is one of the best that I stayed in. I hope my comments help anyone who is wanting to stay at the hotel as I lived the experience of this hotel for 3 weeks.
Firstly it is situated on the second level of an old famous palace, in the best street in Catania. On Via Etnea, where the hotel is located is the street of the best shops the city has on offer.
To the left of the hotels front door there are several large department stores (selling everything from Villeroy & Bosche Chrystal to Valentino handbags), as well as many specialty stores such as Lee Jeans. A bit further on you also find McDononalds in a side street not too far up on the right.
To the right of the hotels front door there is the beautiful saint Agatha church as well as a piazza with great restaurants.
There is a bus stop DIRECTLY in front of the hotel door as well.
I stayed at the hotel in August - in the middle of summer and the most important thing to me was air conditioning - which was fantastic!!!!!!
Although tiny rooms are common in Italy, this hotel is an exception to the rule, the rooms were lovely and large - ours even had a beautiful balcony looking out to the lively street. Even though the hotel is situated on a loud street, the windows and shutters cut out all the noise for a quiet nights sleep.
The staff were extremely helpful and ready to help with anything. More importantly was that the big gates were locked at night (no street access) and only opened when guests would buzz the night security staff - which also made us feel comfortable.
Lastly just in case you have some extra cash to splash there is pretty much every night at least half a dozen stalls in the street selling everything from Versace sunglasses, bags, and jewelery to CD's.