Hotel Ipanema in Taormina

Overall this a nice hotel in need of investment to bring it into the 21st century. The hotel is located in Taromina Mare, just a short walk from the beach. The main town of Taromina is located above up steap stairs or via the cable car. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. Rooms:- The rooms are dated and run down, but are off a good size. Nice storage space is provided. A small balcony, with side-sea views from all rooms. The bathroom needs investment, the shower is weak and very dated. The shower screen was very loose, which put us off using it and we felt touching it would cause it to fall off. So we put up with a wet bathroom everyday. Dining area:- For a four-star hotel the breakfast should be better. Tinned fruit is a no-no for four-star. The coffee was also weak, not the high standard expected in Italy. When you enter the dining room you get shown to your table, higher standards which are not needed when the lower hotel standards let you down. Overall, this could be a good breakfast with better quality produce. The decoration of the place, just like the bar area can only be described as an retirement home. Poor area:- Split on two level; sun deck on on and the swimming pool on the other. The sun deck was of a good size and captures the sun well, being on the roof. It is a nice and quiet, relaxing area. The hotel has a rule of no outside drinks in these areas, but if you want to inforce this a pool bar should be provided, expecting guests to walk to reception, on the ground floor is a stupid idea. Overall, if investment was made, this could be a very good four-star hotel, but until that time, expect three-star.

I stayed here last week for a week with Tui with a friend. The staff are lovely and the hotel is in a great location. Stunning views from the balconies but the food is dreadful. We were half board so breakfast and dinner. Breakfast, tinned pineapple and there was some fresh fish but the pasta wasn't even good. There are no kettles or tea and coffee in the rooms and no water and the bar only opens certain times so not lots of options. When asked for a kettle they refused. The pool is okay, not many loungers and if you have mobility issues to get to the pool you have to climb lots of stars. Rooms basic and bathrooms really need updated and walls paper thin so you can hear TVs next door and people talk. Sorry would never want to stay there again.