Hotel Villa Kristina - Taormina

Average rating:  6.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2008

This hotel is well situated for centre of Taormina if you don't mind being 5 to 10 minutes walk up a steep hill from the main street. We found this fine if a bit exhilarating but it would be tricky for the less mobile. The hotel has the advantage of having its own garage which can be pre-booked and used for a small daily charge. This is great since parking in Taormina is tricky. The breakfast was typical Italian fare but ample. The room was not that big but was in fairly good condition and did come with a modest balcony. Being slightly out of the centre, it was not too noisy. The highlight of our stay was pulling back our curtains one morning to see a perfectly clear sky and Etna framed in the window complete with its cap of snow. What a stunning view!

Guest name: NT, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Enjoyed our stay here - directions on how to get there ahead of time would have been very helpful, as we had some difficulty with this on foot with our bags. Staff were very kind and helpful with all requests. Best hotel breakfast in our stay in Italy. Balconies are nice and with great ocean views - only downside is being a nonsmoker and having to experience everyone on their balconies constantly smoking (this left us with our windows closed most of our stay). Pool area is real nice too! Would recommend hotel and would stay here again! Far enough out of main tourist area to be quiet and enjoyable.

Guest name: JC, USA

Average rating:  4.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2007

The hotel staff were friendly and helpful but the room was tiny and very cramped. The wardrobe door creaked loudly and the shower was broken.

Guest name: JI, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jun 2007

Was very impressed by Villa Kristina - good location, lovely property - good value for money. HOWEVER, I was very disappointed by the hotel swimming pool. A small pool, at its shallowest end it was 1.5m deep and progressed to almost 3m deep. As an incompetent swimmer, who enjoys wading to cool down and swimming a few strokes within my depth, I did not use this pool, which was a huge disappointment for me, especially as the weather was so hot, and there was little else to do at the resort. Other guests remarked the depth of the pool also. Some years ago, at a hotel in Sorrento, the shallow end of the pool gave way suddenly to the deep end, and I had a terrifying experience. A few years after that, a young couple from my home town drowned in a pool in Sardinia. So this seems to be an issue with Italian resorts in general, and I feel this is something that should be addressed. I have never had or heard of this problem with Spain, Greece etc., It was greatly disappointing.

Guest name: KH, Ireland

Average rating:  4.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Feb 2006

Considering we went out of season the price was high for the level of property. Although the staff were very helpful and property in good location.

Guest name: Jenny Pownall, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jan 2006

Villa Kristina was situated in a beautiful position with views of Mt Etna. It was a steep walk from town to reach it. OK if you were fit. The rooms were adequate and there is development of the site still taking place. I would recommend this hotel.

Guest name: MY, New Zealand

Average rating:  7.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

Not especially charming or aesthetic, but a well-run, clean hotel for the price bracket. A previous reviewer who complained of the distance of the hotel from the main street had obviously overlooked the steps a minute's walk away which take you to the centre in the short time promised by the hotel.

Guest name: Jill Entwistle, United Kingdom

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Sep 2005

And excellent hotel and excellent bureau

Guest name: Leif Nielsen, Denmark

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2005

Very clean hotel with friendly and helpful staff. It is a very hard climb up the steep streets to the hotel from the main shopping area. The main problem was the air conditioning was ineffective which made the stay uncomfortable.

Guest name: Karam Radwan, United Kingdom

Average rating:  5.5

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jul 2005

The hotel is a bit far from the center of activity. Would suggest that visitors who have a car would find this hotel a very good place to stay. Drive time to activities is 5 minutes. Walking down is 12 minutes and walking back, up hills and steps is 25 minutes.

Guest name: Henry Weintraub, USA

Average rating:  2.8

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Jul 2005

Management were rude. Hotel is some distance away, especially when carrying luggage.

Guest name: Gayle Dwyer, United Kingdom

Average rating:  5.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2005

Situated on a noisy road. primitive shower facilities. basic breakfast. Exceelent views

Guest name: DB, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Apr 2005

Room was plain but clean, although the ensuite facilities were old and a bit smelly as there was no internal fan. Th view from the balcony was spectacular and the location very convenient although somewhat noisy with the traffic.

Guest name: AM, United Kingdom

Average rating:  2.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2005

El hotel es una verguenza, en la pagina web no queda claro su lejana y mala ubicación, el amoblamiento incompleto de la habitacion (no hay ni una silla), y una ducha donde no entra un adulto. La atencion del personal es mala.

Guest name: Guillermo Schavelzon, Spain