I stayed at Lakkios Residence for 4 nights, January 1/5 2010. And I have only good things to tell about it.
The location is very convenient for sightseeing, half road between Ortigia and the Archaeological Park, just on the sea shore, in front of the marina of Santa Lucia. Most rooms have at least a side sea view.
First, it is an old villa, renovated with a lot of care for details. Whenever possible the old stone walls have been preserved. The rooms do not have numbers but names of gods and goddesses. My room was called Minerva and it was a double in single occupancy, for which I paid 65 eur/night. The owners asked me why I did choose this B&B and when I told them that it was for the sea view they offered immediately to change my room with one having full sea view (mine had side view to the port), but I refused since I did like the Minerva a lot. The room was a perfect mixture of old an new, very tastefully decorated, in a grey-blue-silver shades with some touches of red. An old writing desk (19th century) and the yellow limestone parts of the ancient wall where paired with modern pieces in glass and aluminium, to give an absolutely charming interior. And, as a special surprise, under the arm-chair it was…an antique well, saved by miracle by the owners from the workers that wanted to fill it with concrete. It was covered with a glass plate, but since I wanted to find a place to throw a coin and make a wish, the owners opened it for me one evening.
The same care for all details could be seen also in the breakfast room or in the lobby, to give an authentic feeling of something more like a home than a hotel.
And this was valid also for the owners and the two young ladies at the reception. All my five days in Siracusa I felt more like a member of the family than as a client. One of the pleasures of the day was the morning or afternoon chat with the owners or the two young "girls"; they were keen to find out how was my day, what was my impression on the places I've visited, offered information, suggestions and even free bus tickets for local transportation (I did not use them, since I like walking, but it was a nice touch, together with the coffee making set and the minibar in the room). I have to tank them for suggesting a marionettes show (highly recommended) to the Teatro di Puppi, in Siracusa. Wonderful people, charming place, I will return there in a minute if given the opportunity.