...in every way. You are welcomes to a dated hotel that is ridden with fruit flies, a musty odor, stale cigarette smoke, inadequate light, painfully tiny elevators, old and oddly stained rooms, and the list goes on. I'd rate this hotel 2-star at the verrrry best. I am not a hotel snob but a value shopper. I found home-run quality hotels in other cities (ie. Taormina) for HALF the price of this "casa di zucci." It boasts a waterfront location but is actually portside where all the cruiseships disembark.

Messina, in general, and in my opinion, can be seen in one day, if not completely passed by. It is a gateway city that is focussed on the port. Its saving grace is a little restaurant in an unassuming part of town called Trattoria al Padrino (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187889-d1166970-Reviews-Al_Padrino-Messina_Sicily.html). It caters to people in the neighborhood and is an authentic blue-collar Sicilian haunt. Food is fresh and cooked to order. Simply a must.

right on the seafront, now where the large cruise ships dock, the hotel has some 150 rooms, but only 6 keys were not hanging in reception. breakfast was laid for 4 tables

nothing at all wrong with the service, but it was odd being so empty. good little pizza pasta restaurant next door. trams run right past the front of the hotel, but the insulation cut any noise completely

We arrived, but never unpacked our bags. Changed our plans and drove back to Palermo/Monreale to the Genoardo (where we had previously been for 5 wonderful nights).

The Jolly charged us for one night only. Our original reservation was for 3 nights. The Jolly was dingy and smelled like dirt. As far as the view from the hotel, we saw enough of that in 5 minutes.

15/20 minutes walk from the coach/bus/train stations - directly alongside the port/harbour - water taxis/small ferries and cruiseships. Busy roads on both sides of the hotel with tram line. We had a room facing the harbour, and it was very pleasant watching all the activity, including locals fishing. Hotel staff were friendly enough, but did not speak English and wanted us to sign forms written in Italian on check-in, but could not explain what we were signing. No help with our bags - the tiny lifts only allows for 4 people, the other one was out of order - so several trips for our group with luggage, and no help from staff. The rooms were clean and basic, but in urgent need of modernisation. Bathrooms, very dated. No restaurant meals, just continental breakfast - food not very fresh, same bruised fruit every morning. No bar staff, so bar could not be opened - just a few glasses and ONE bottle of water in the foyer for guests - staff made a bit of fuss when we asked for more water. Did not see more that 8-10 guests in such a huge building, which gave the place more of a cold and dreary feel. The staff did recommend a good restaurant nearby, and on the 2nd day, gave us a small map of the area. Overall very basic accommodation in excellant location.