Hotel Athena Resort

We had originally booked through Thomas Cook and when we heard the news we were obviously saddened. Our flights were safe as they had been booked through EasyJet so I contacted the hotel and confirmed that we would still be going ahead with our booking at an additional cost. Obviously with our transfers now being invalid we had to make our own way to the resort which was quite simple but long. It involved a public bus from Catania Airport to Comiso Airport then a taxi to Athena Resort. altogether costing 46€. On arrival to the resort we checked in and were told we were now staying in the main building rather than one of the villages which we had originally booked which was fine with us. The room was comfortable facing the pool. Initial problems with the air conditioning were sorted immediately. The beds were very comfortable and the room was spacious. We had the all inclusive package and although the food did not meet my expectations of Italian cuisine we did not go hungry.. If however you are a 'traveller' who expects a full English wherever you go you will be disappointed for me the choices were fantastic with different food every day. The snacks part of the all inclusive were very limited and at one point we had to fight with the local cats so we were lad that the main meals left us full enough not to need snack. To reach the beach you had to take a short ride on the shuttle bus. The facilities at the beach had everything you need although if you wanted an alcoholic drink you had to pay as the all inclusive package did not include alcoholic beverages on the beach. The beach however was very clean and a life guard watched over us as we swam in the warm sea. Our only anticlimax was the entertainment in the evening. Every evening a little lady would sing ( quite badly) into her microphone to a backing tune. I never saw her smile once. There were however three animation team guys who would attempt to teach people to dance. With very little British people at the resort there was a language barrier but with a little effort on our side this was resolved. All in all we had a good holiday but the resort is too remote for us. Hiring a car was too expensive after paying the excess. The bus service however was good and visits to Ragusa Ibla and Marina di Ragusa are thoroughly recommended.

To my shame I read a lot of reviews and was unnerved prior to travelling to the hotel. How unfounded were my concerns. Yes, it’s a long transfer time but look at the map, it 70km from the airport and we knew that before we went. There are no motorways, it’s Sicily and kind of stuck in the 80s! The coach was air conditioned and the driver fantastic, even managing to avoid a suicidal local on the run to the hotel. Upon arrival we were greeted by English speaking staff, I did try my comedic Italian and between us we got there. Instead of saying hello I probably called them goats but they just smile and carry on respecting your efforts, if you ask they will tell you how to pronounce things and it gets yet more respect from them. The room is like any other we have stayed in apart from the aircon was brilliant, the maid service fantastic and the beds very comfortable. We were in the village which has great WiFi. Food times. If you go at rush hour prepare to be like Russel Crowe in gladiator, it’s a melee but that’s their way. We found going 30 minutes after opening time and there was no issue, it’s their culture not a problem. The food is first rate Italian cooking. Don’t expect English food in Sicily! It is so tasty my wife absolutely loved the tomatoes and sea food choices. The bars have a decent selection, all inclusive starts at 10am and goes through to midnight. If you want a drink outside those hours then I suggest AA rather than a holiday. There was beer, gin, vodka and whisky along with limoncello (I think my wife tried to drink their entire stock) and Marsala. Plenty of soft drink which given the heat in September I battered. There is also every type of coffee imaginable. The two lads that work the main bar deserve a mention. Two of the most polite, knowledgeable and helpful lads I have ever met. One is an inter fan but I cannot hold that against him! The hotel is remote, it’s why we chose it but others may want something closer to civilisation. There are frequent local buses taking you to good honest Sicilian villages and a shuttle taking you to the hotel private beach. This was probably the best holiday we have ever been on, came back refreshed with a load of memories. Grazie Sicilia, ti vogliamo bene!

We also went on the 13th and agree that it was a shame that the beach restaurant was closed. The music at the Olympic swimming pool was also way too loud. Apart from that it was splendid! We went to eat, drink and relax and it was just splendid for that. Was never charged for a slice in my G&T and the limoncello was great. The bar staff were splendid and there was no preferential treatment. Food in the restaurant was ok, plenty of it and plenty of variety. Room in the main hotel was spacious, clean and well serviced. Best bits? Desiree and her music for dancing and the beach. Regular shuttle bus to s delightfully clean and shallow beach. Would we go back? Absolutely.