Page 311 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

Liberty Hotel Via San Vito 40 095 311 651, libertyhotel.it. Intimate and romantic
hotel in an early twentieth-century palazzo, a 10min walk from Via Etnea.
Wonderfully refurbished in carefully researched Liberty style, the hotel has a calm
atmosphere and a trellis-shaded courtyard, and is an ideal place to recuperate after a
long journey. There are good-value discounts and packages including trips to Etna via

the website. There’s no restaurant, but a local pizzeria will deliver to the hotel. €180
Una Hotel Via Etnea 218 095 250 5111, unahotels.it. Chic designer hotel

belonging to a national chain, whose decor reflects the dominant black-and-white of
the city’s Baroque (and of snowcapped Etna): floors of Etna lava and Comiso
limestone; beds laid with cream cotton and black velvet; and Baroque-style chairs
sprayed gold and upholstered in black velvet. Facilities include roof terrace and
restaurant-bar with spectacular views of Etna, and a gym with steam bath. Check the

website for offers, especially weekend packages. €160

La Vetreria Via Grimaldi 8 095 281 537, residencelavetreria.com. Occupying a
1920s mirror factory, this popular complex of serviced rooms and apartments
(sleeping 1–5 people) has tasteful furniture, spacious rooms, and cooking facilities.
The breakfast room with toy cupboard and little table and chairs signals straight away
that this is a place where kids are genuinely welcomed. There’s an official minimum

stay of two weeks, but this is flexible. From €300 per week

HOSTELS

Agorà Piazza Currò 6 095 723 3010, agorahostel.com. Fantastic but
nonetheless secluded location near the Pescheria fish market (follow the signs), though
its restaurant, bar and night-time events mean that it can get noisy.The basic dorms (six
to ten beds) have bunks and lockers, with separate bathrooms for men and women, and
there are some small private double rooms. Free internet access, use of kitchen,

washing facilities and bike rental are also offered, and there’s 24hr access. Dorms
from €16; rooms €55

C.C.Ly Piazza Falcone 095 746 2399, ccly-hostel.com. On the top floor of a
nineteenth-century palazzo, this hostel – pronounced “Sicily” – created by two
couchsurfing veterans, is fantastically kitsch, the swirling decor harking back to the
1960s – but it’s very friendly and has low prices and a central location close to the

bus station. The eight beds in each single-sex dorm share a bathroom, and there are
also en-suite doubles. Guests have lockers, internet access, use of a kitchen, laundry
facilities and parking. Dorms from €15; doubles €40

EATING, DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE

Catania’s streets teem until late, especially in summer. Restaurants are pretty good