Hotel Ariston and Palazzo Santa Caterina

I recently stayed at the Ariston Hotel in Taormina and had a mixed experience. While the hotel has some positive aspects, there are significant areas that need improvement.

Exterior and View: The hotel looks really nice from the outside. The architecture and exterior design are charming, and the restaurant and coffee place offer a beautiful view that enhances the dining experience.

Rooms: Unfortunately, the rooms are a major letdown. They appear to be from the 1800s and seem never to have been renovated. The decor is outdated and in dire need of modernization.

Amenities: One of the most surprising aspects was the lack of a TV. Instead, there was an old computer monitor about 14 inches in size, which seemed like a joke but was real. This is far below the standard for a hotel of this caliber.

Bed Quality: The bed was a disaster. It folded down in such a way that caused terrible back pain each morning. I requested a mattress change, and while the staff did accommodate this, the replacement mattress was just as bad. It seems all mattresses are broken and sink when you lie down, making for an uncomfortable sleep.

Customer Service: The most concerning issue was with the pool staff. There was a man with tattoos who was extremely disrespectful and unprofessional. His primary job was to hand out towels and cards, but he often seemed annoyed by these simple requests. His attitude was unwelcoming and made our time at the pool less enjoyable.

Summary: While the Ariston Hotel has potential with its beautiful exterior and scenic restaurant views, the outdated rooms, poor bed quality, lack of proper amenities, and unprofessional pool staff overshadow these positives. I would not recommend this hotel unless these significant issues are addressed.