Grand Hotel Victoria

We booked this hotel late evening, for the same night, as we were travelling by car through Italy. We got to the reception, did the check in and went to bed. We got strong knocks on the door at 2 AM from a big guy, asking me for the passports, in Italian. I explained I had left them for 30 mins at the reception upon arrival and they had time to make copies, but if not, I can give them the docs again the next morning, and I cannot just leave the passports with him for the whole night. He started threatning something, so I had to go downstairs and wait for him to make copies, in the middle of the night. He kept insisting to leave passports with him for the night and saying it is normal, which - also given the attitude and heavy bumping on the door - was out of the question. This has NEVER happened in all my years travelling everywhere in the world and staying in all kinds of hotels. Also, I imagine if I was a woman travelling alone, or with a girlfriend, it would have felt really unsafe. Otherwise, very hard bed, poor quality breakfast and parking is actually on the street - that is, if you can find a spot. Hotel is a 2 stars facility at best, with old furniture, old bathroom and overall poorly kept.

Rosario and all the team made us feel like at home. This is the perfect stop on your way to Sicily. The hotel has also a very good restaurant which we used and the quality and kindness was really great. Also there is a pebble beach opposite the hotel with umbrellas and sunbeds (we paid Euros 12 for an umbrella with 2 sunbeds). The area is very popular with locals so expect some noise in the we but the sound proof windows make the sleep very comfortable. We then took the ferry the next morning from Villa San Giovanni which was approx 20' by car so no queue when we arrived there in the morning despite the high season. The only negative is probably the parking as there is no onsite parking but Rosario arrange for a place near the train station which was 5' walk from the hotel.

I had such a great experience at this hotel after a bad one priorly booking a closed hotel just nearby... Very good service, kind staff and delicious food! Rooms are very spacious, the view to sea is amazing, free parking in front of hotel, a-la-carte restaurant and family feeling atmosphere ❤ Totally recommend it! Enjoy your stay