Hotel Svizzera - Taormina

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Il n'y a pas d'ascenseur... ce qui est plutôt incommodant....

Guest name: PA, Canada

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jul 2007

We really liked the friendly staff who all spoke perfect English (and some spoke German as well). They made us feel very much at home! The location was very central (2 minutes walk from the quaint city center and right next to the lift down to the beach. Also, the hotel was nice and CLEAN!! Thank you!

Guest name: Kimberley Behnke-Knott, Germany

Average rating:  5.7

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

The main problem of our stay was that the hotel doesn't have parking place, the offer you to pay for let the car in an area full of cars...

Guest name: YM, Spain

Average rating:  7.2

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

A good hotel though would not reccomend that hotel room keys are left in full gaze for anyone to take! Some things need to be made more clear such as location (Taormina map is not particularly accurate particularly in relationship with other important places such as the bus terminal and car parks) and that there was an option for a see view (not offered at time of booking!). Still a good hotel

Guest name: Michael Colella, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jul 2006

Excellent stay here in July 06! I would recommend this hotel and probably would stay here again! Very close to cable car and walking distance to main Corso Umberto.

Guest name: Samia Canzonieri, USA

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Apr 2007

We stayed in a standard double room on the second floor, with an excellent view. The staff at the Svizzera were very helpful. The hotel itself was very well located in Taormina, within easy reach of the corso Umberto. Breakfast was good. Steep steps in hotel and no lift. Superb value - would use again.

Guest name: Peter Maggs, United Kingdom

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Mar 2007

This hotel was simply perfect. We had no complaints whatsoever. We do have two caveats. Do not drive to the hotel if you have anything larger than a very small car. The hotel has three tiny parking places, basically on-street parking but reserved. Taormina has two good public parking lots, and it would be fairly easy to walk from the one closest to the Messina exit from the autostrada. Our other caveat is that staying at the Svizzera requires being able to climb stairs. The entrance is not at street level on either side. Be sure to pay extra for a room with a view! Also be sure to go to Ristorante Anfora at Via Denti,5, on a tiny street off the main shopping street, the Corso Umberto. It specializes in fresh fish, and the fish are truly fresh. There are no more than five or six tables, and the service is wonderful too.

Guest name: Carolyn McMurray, USA

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jan 2007

We had a wonderful three days in Taormina. The quiet room with the large terrace had a lovely view of the sea and the surrounding hillside. The generous breakfast buffet was the best we had the whole time we visited Sicily. We enjoyed the steep hikes with the gorgeous views that you can take going above and below Taormina. Definitely a highlight of the trip. (The hotel is especially easy to get to if arriving by bus.)

Guest name: Carole Fontana, USA

Average rating:  7.4

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Nov 2006

The breakfast was a bit simple but okay

Guest name: JB, Netherlands

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Aug 2006

an excellent value hotel near to the heart of things. suitable for all types of people except those not good with stairs/steps. english speaking staff. you need to reserve car parking as this is difficult at the best of times. breakfast ok but quite limited buffet. cable car to the beach very handy. discounts if pay bill in cash, 71/2%

Guest name: Barry Frenchman, United Kingdom

Average rating:  5.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2006

L'hotel est bien situé et propre mais -Personne ne parle français -et surtout il nous a fallu descendre les bagages de 20 marches pour aller à la reception puis les monter de 60 marches ( pas d'ascenseur ni de personnel pour donner un coup de main!) ce qui s'avère une épreuve à + de 70 ans!Pour aterrir dans une chambre minuscule ou nous n'avons pas eu la place d'ouvrir les dits bagages!Et nous n'étions qu'au 3° étage ( il y en a 4!)Donc à déconseiller aux personnes qui ne sont plus jeunes!

Guest name: Paul Vanucci, France

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in May 2006

First rate experience. The splendid view and private terrace made up for the hike up to the fourth floor. (no lift) Great location near all facilities but not overrun by tourist throng.

Guest name: Gillian Roy, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in May 2006

Just two negatives - nowhere did it say that there was no lift and we were on the 3rd floor. Plus two flights of stairs to get to the street. Be warned if you have heavy luggage or are not into heavy lifting. Breakfast was lacking the advertised 'Fruits in Season' component. Just a little tub of apple puree. Would have liked at least a banana or pear. There is that much white bread and cake one can eat. Very friendly staff looking after the breakfast.

Guest name: MW, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Apr 2006

The Hotel Svizzera was excellent. We had a three bedded room which was roomy & very comfortable, but being on the ground floor did not have the sea view experienced by people on the upper floors. The location was very good, being close to the bus station and cable car and only a short walk from the town. Breakfast was good for the standard of hotel and the service from everyone at the hotel was very helpful and friendly. Our only grumble was that for a few days we had a party of women in the next door room who all insisted on talking at once and at the top of their voices, which was annoying but did not spoil our visit. Even the weather was very good for early April. I have no hesitation in recommending the Hotel Svizzera!

Guest name: Craig Ellis, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Nov 2005

Very nice hotel and staff. They seem to cater to U.S. travels, which worked out well since that's what we were. The hotel is not very sound proof - we could here everything that happened in the stairwell. The acoustics seemed to amplify the sound, not diminsh them. That said, I can sleep through anything and thoroughly enjoyed the stay.

Guest name: Joseph Danna, USA

Average rating:  3.2

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Oct 2005

"The room with a view" was correct expression, but it was also "a room with full of noises": Footsteps and voices of people from the stairs, creaking noises of moving furniture from upstairs, big "bang" from the doors of the same floor... I don't remember how many times I woke up because of these. Also, the receptionist's behaviour was very bad when the floor was covered with flooding water from the velanda! It was the worst place I've ever spend my holidays whole in my life. Afterward my claim of the water flooding, we never had proper greetings at the reception. My mother says she'd never forget how angrily the receptionist stared at her whenever her eyes met hers. Even though the friendly smiles and nice cappuccino at the breakfast, we never want to come back to this place again.

Guest name: IY, Japan

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Nov 2005

This is dream accommodation. After travelling by train across Europe, the 4 days we spent in Taormina was paradise for my wife and me. Our room was spacious, comfortable, with a great terrace facing north and spectacular views of the coastline. Staff at every level were friendly and helpful. Breakfast taken in the dining room in very comfortable & friendly surroundings. Few menu choices but good quality & service, just what we needed to start the day. Carrying luggage to the top floors could be a problem for some. Luckily we were on the first floor. We recommend Room 7.

Guest name: Francois Helsen, Australia

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

Excellent breakfast, good location, good staff, good beds. Overall great value

Guest name: John Lee, Canada

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Gay Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

Staff was friendly and helpful without being overbearing, the room was clean and comfortable and location convenient. All in all good value.

Guest name: WK, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

Hotel exactly as portrayed on web site. We had a great room with panoramic sea view. All communications via email speedily and efficiently answered.Staff very helpful. Hotel in good location 200m from main area.If you have a car remember to book a parking space with the hotel.

Guest name: Robert Berry, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

Nice pleasnt, clean hotel - bedrooms and bathrooms appear to have been modernised quite recently. Good location and nice view and only 7 minutes walk from main restaurants etc and 1 minute from cable car to beach. We were on the top floor and there is no escalator, so if you have a problem with stairs, you might want a lower room, but you might have to pay more. Breakfast was good and breakfast area very pleasant. If you ask for a (pay) car-parking space, go and see it before you drive to it. I missed it the first time and spent 10 minutes in the one-way system trying to get back to it.

Guest name: VU, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Sep 2005

We had a great stay in Taormina and also the hotel was very good. The only negative point is that we expected that all "rooms with a view" had a balcony, but ours didn't. But.. the view was great!!! Overall very good value for money!

Guest name: An Geerdens, Belgium

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jun 2005

Excellent value for money. Nice rooms modern and simple and not overly decorative. I had one with a balocony over the main street which provided a lovely view but did make it a little noisy, but was well worth it. The building itself was also very attractive and had a nice garden area. The breakfast was excellent, providing a fantastic range. My only criticisms were that we had specifically looked for a hotel with air-conditioning in the room and parking facilities - the online price we paid included air-conditioning in the cost but I had to ask for the a/c remote as it was kept at the desk (because usually there is an additional charge to use it), the receptionist seemed a little grumpy when I asked for it. Regarding parking, there wasn't really any parking facilities as the hotel only had about 2 spots - there was parking a little way down the street at a cost of approximately 8Euro a day. Also they had internet facilities which was great but the prices they were charging were not anywhere near competitive to most internet cafes. Overall this is a great value for money hotel.

Guest name: Madeleine Aikenhead, Australia

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jul 2005

Excellent and clean room and bathroom. Excellent breakfast. A few steps to the Funavia that brings us to the beach. Across the street from Da Nino's restaurant ... excellent food and very friendly staff. Very close to Corso Umberto I and the Greco-Roman Theater. 10 min. walk to the Giardini Publico where we had a nice picnic. Fantastic location! Just a few steps to the bus terminal that brings us to the railway station.

Guest name: Giovanni Cinanni, Canada

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Gay Couple

stayed in Jul 2005

THis is the PERFECT location for Taormina. 5 minutes from bus for excursions, 5 minutes from cable car to beach, maybe 6-7 minuted from Corso Umberto. Great price, friendly staff. I am recommending this hotel to family for next year, and to friends for anytime they want to go to Taormina.

Guest name: JK, USA

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2005

We stayed on the 4th floor. This required traversing ~76 steps as there are no lifts. This was not a problem for us but it could be for others ie pregnant or elderly. We really enjoyed our stay in Taormina and found our accommodation excellent and well located.

Guest name: Rodney Paterson, Australia

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2005

lovely friendly small hotel. Excellent location- beside the cable car to the beach and a short stroll into the town. Would highly recommend it!

Guest name: Monina Hughes, Ireland

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Jun 2005

Our first night was on the 4th floor -with a view but no balcony- it was a long haul up there and we asked to be switched. We were moved to the ground floor - which we loved. The room was large and beautiful with a huge balcony -but no view. We didn't mind not having the view and liked the balcony. The staff is very helpful and nice. The rooms are well appointed and clean - large bathrooms. Good breakfast- Great Location.

Guest name: Maureen Clancy, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Jun 2005

This property is very good value and close to the town centre and bus station. Very close to the cable car but still a hike to the pebbly beach. Can't fault the rooms, breakfast, friendliness etc. I would definitely stay again.

Guest name: Fiona Buchanan, United Kingdom

Average rating:  6.2

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in May 2005

A beautiful building with wonderful views, small rooms and incredibly noisy. You can here the traffic in the early morning and all other noise inside the building. When we were there the hotel was full of noisy and inconsiderate Americans who used the hotel as a sorority/fraternity house and this greatly aggrevated the noise problem. The breakfast and the lady serving it were a sheer delight. There is nothing "Swiss" about the hotel incidentally; it is German thorugh and through and the proud and patriotic owners tend seem to attempt to order only German-made products.

Guest name: PB, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in May 2005

The hotel was well situated quite close to the centre of Taormina(5 mins walk)and very close to the cable car which connects with the resorts below. Also very handy for the bus station (2mins), enabling easy access to other resorts and towns in the area. In Retrospect we realize that the hotel was well priced with respect to other hotels in Taormina. The only negative point was that the room was slightly noisy but not excessively so. Definitely a winner on price. Recommended with reservations.

Guest name: Ian Sidlow, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2005

This hotel was superb. The location is great - only 2 minutes walk into the centre of the town and the views were fantastic. Make sure you book your car parking in advance and ask for a room with a sea view. Breakfast was fine and the gardens were lovely. Real value for money. We particularly recommend Ninos restaurant 1 min walk away and excellent home cooking.

Guest name: Diane Brewer, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2005

An exceptionally well situated property, near to bus station, shops restaurants and cable car access to coast. Very helpful staff with breakfast available out of hours if needed. Rooms rather inconveniently small, but overall good value for money.

Guest name: Nigel Tame, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.4

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2005

PROS: clean, nice environment; convenient location; nice breakfast lounge. CONS: lack of parking spots; rooms lack personality. Overall good, but a bit pricey....afterall Taormina itself is very expensive....

Guest name: Danilo Bordini, Italy

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2004

Very nice view that we paid extra for, but it was worth it. Easy walk to main shopping/eating/tourist area. Room was small but adequate and clean. Garden/breakfast area was a hi-light. Caution: there is no lift and no help for carring luggage up the stairs. We were on the fourth floor and got our exercise. (puff, puff) We would stay here again.

Guest name: PD, USA

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2004

The hotel is in an excellent location. The rooms beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean. However, the balcony was too small for two people to sit on comfortably. Sounds could be heard from surrounding rooms and the stairwell. Breakfast was very good. The staff were extremely courteous and helpful and we would be happy to stay here again.

Guest name: Robert Chippendale, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Oct 2004

My only complaint, and it applies to all the hotels we stayed in while just in Italy (9/25-10/16) was that there were never enough towel racks in the bathrooms (especially when two people share a room), or hooks behind bathroom doors to hold robes, etc. Also, there seems to be an aversion to placing a waste basket in the room, like next to the desk, as well as in the bathroom. And, let's face it, are bidets really that important anymore? Hotel bath-rooms in Europe would be a lot roomier without them. Let the hand-held shower do the work.

Guest name: Anthony Peraino, USA

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2004

Nice hotel for the money and the location. All was spotless and in Schweizer Ordnung! Only complaint is that the shower stall uses an antiquated curtain system that, to say the least, is extremely annoying! Breakfast was good (except for a group of loud and intrusive fellow countrymen from the States who end up giving serious travelers from the US a bad name!).

Guest name: Thomas Sneider, USA

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2004

Friendly and obliging staff, the excellent location and the high standard of the facilities make this hotel firtst class value for money.

Guest name: MD, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2004

nice clean place, few minutes from towntown, fantastic view over the sea. cosy veranda for good breakfest. only negativ point for those who really need sleep: the walls seem to be very thin.

Guest name: Pat M. Pluess, Switzerland

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2004

Svizzera is a lovely, clean and friendly hotel. Parking is fine, IF you reserve it when booking (put a comment in the box provided when booking through this site and the hotel will reserve you a space. There are only 3 spaces though, but we booked on Sat morning for a sunday arrival in August and managed to get a space. Ask the hotel for directions as well, it is not easy to find when you first arrive. Basically head towards Taormina and Lumbo car park, (from the motorway exit to Taormina) and then at the car park (don't drive into it) turn left towards the town centre, when you get to the main street (up a hill) turn left (the main pedestrian archway will be in front of you) then it's just down this street on the left opposite the petrol station. Breakfast is fine, continental. The hotel is perfect for exploring couples, but wouldn't recommend it to young families as the facilities are limited (no bar) if you need to put the kids to bed early. Taormina is lovely but noisy, there are tonnes of teenagers on mopeds, the noise is unavoidable -take some ear plugs and you won't notice it.

Guest name: SL, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Aug 2004

Hotel Svizzera is very central to all amenities in Taormina , ie the town centre , cable car , bus terminal. The rooms are very clean and spacious enough. The staff are very efficient and helpful.Breakfast in the garden is a very good way to start the day. Overall we would highly recommend this hotel for its quality of service. The one and only complaint is that there is no elevator in the building , which means dragging heavy luggage up a lot of steps.

Guest name: Michael Flynn, Ireland

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jul 2004

Good little hotel - excellent views - only problem: few parking areas(reservation needed)

Guest name: RS, Italy

Average rating:  9.3

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Aug 2004

An excellent hotel with friendly, helpful staff. The rooms are well equiped for the price and are comfortable. The location was brilliant, walking distance to the centre of town but far enough away not to be noisy. We would recommend this hotel to anyone.

Guest name: JM, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jul 2004

Wow, this was such a pleasant surprise. We got so lucky in finding a place with an incredible view and so close to everything we wanted to do. We were within close walking distance to the best shopping area and not even 1 block from the cable car which takes you down to the beach. The rooms were small but for the price it was clean and friendly. They were very helpful at the front desk and breakfast was great.

Guest name: THOMAS PHILLIPS, USA

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jun 2004

It was one of the best deal ! We got sea view room.....4 th floor w/o lift, but never mind!

Guest name: HY, China

Average rating:  6.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2004

we have had a nice stay at your hotel

Guest name: Conny Berendsen, Netherlands

Average rating:  8.4

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2004

Difficult to find, only very few parking lots close to hotel. Excellent restaurants within walking-distance. Very good breakfast, newly renovated rooms, excellent beds and AC.

Guest name: Joachim Eidam, Germany

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Mar 2004

Great location and newly renovated if not just kept in perfect condition. We'll go back.

Guest name: Michael Miller, USA

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2004

excellent location poor information about paarking. neededto be reserved. we had to find public parking at a distance and expensive

Guest name: Lynda Morris, United Kingdom