We arrived at Hotel Idea expecting to be near the beach and close to amenities. The truth is we were next to a main service road to a new autostrada with constant chaotic traffic far from amenities. The room we were given was meant to be air conditioned, the outside temp 32 degrees, in the room slightly less. The room itself smelt as you entered and soon we found that the carpet at the door was wet, hence the smell. The hotel did not have internet access at all. Shower was ridiculously small even by Italian standards, towels were old and thin, bedspread had a cigarette burn, sheet had a small hole, toilet seat was unhinged. square and paint worn off.
However they did offer us another room when we complained but this was not much better as it too had some of the problems previously mentioned. It was too late for us to transfer, we had to contact our travel agent in Australia by phone so that she could find us better accommodation at our own expense.
The hotel displayed a Trip Advisor certificate of merit for 2011 and we are flabbergasted as to how it could have such a rating!

This hotel is a good standard. Reception staff are warm and friendly, and speak excellent English. Free patisseries in reception!

Location is good – a 2km harbour-side walk to Catania town centre (cutting through the town feels a little dangerous), or a 10 EUR taxi. You’re outside the madness of Catania town centre, but close enough to go in and out of the town centre during the day.

Hotel rooms are great – dated/ 1980s décor, but all done to a high standard, and looks new. Flat screens TVs, large rooms, air con etc. Bathrooms are TINY, but clean and functional.

A note that it is best to park the car at the hotel and taxi into Catania town centre – roads are not clearly marked and it is easy to get lost.

Just returned from a short vacation in Catania - stayed at the Idea Ognina hotel. It is a nice place, very conveniently located just behind a gas station (Agip), for those that rent a car (as I had), with free parking (also very important). Be ware, though, that the hotel is branded "Ognina" - written on the facade. No mentioning of the "Idea", so do not look for this name. Everybody in the neighborhood knows it as either "Ognina" or "Jolly" hotel, which, I understood, was an older name. Otherwise the room was very clean, the service absolutely OK, generous breakfast, large LCD in the room with free access to the SKY satellite network (except, of course, for the pay-per-view movies). Overall it was a pleasant experience staying there and I would definitely recommend it for travelers that do not want to be in the crowded center of Catania, have a car and will not mind making the trip of about 6-7 km from the hotel to the center of the city. Not to forget - there is no supermarket nearby (or at least I did not find it), but there is a McDonald's restaurant fairly close.

This hotel is located about a 10 min drive from the Catania city center - perfect for people with a car (which is a must in Sicily anyway). It is on a hilltop bay surrounded by sail boats, sea views and restaurants.

We were greeted by extremely friendly hotel staff, who remained as such all thoughout our stay. the rooms were clean, air-conditioned, and had everything you would want/need from a 3 star hotel. the windows were double glazed which meant that no noise from the outside roads reached us. the only downfall was that they are all smoking - although the smell was not at all strong, for people who are sensitive this may be worth considering. the breakfast was great - they had everything from eggs and bacon to cheese and fruits, plus all the bread and pastries they baked themselves on premises.

The hotel offered free private parking - a big plus in Catania. when it came to check-out we were offered a late option for 25euro, and were not forced in to a particular check-out time, they were v. flexible.

overall this is great value for money - reliable, clean, well located and friendly .