My husband and I took a trip to the land of his ancestors, Italy, more specifically, the coast of Sicily. Located right on the Ionian Sea, the Hotel Kennedy was simply lovely. Sailboats, sunsets and sunrises over the water was the view from our deck. Cool breezes in the evening, although the hotel is adequately air-conditioned. There is a nice,large pool, which is indoors, although the windows all open to the sea and the deck, giving it the feel of being outdoors. Plenty of space on the deck, and plenty of lounge chairs. Snacks and drinks were available on the deck in the afternoon, and music and dancing in the evening on the weekend. A large dining room is just inside, again with a view of the sea. A continental breakfast is provided in the morning, at which time guests are given a lunch, and a dinner menu. You write your name, and make your choices for the day. Each day offers different and varied choices. I did my best to eat my way through the menu, especially the seafoods. The food is excellent and the portions are very satisfying, and there is always more where that came from. Outside the dining room, is a large lounge with a bar and grouped sitting areas. Very comfortable and nicely appointed. While the hotel itself is "old world " ambiance, renovation has provided all the modern conveniences. The decor is beautiful, comfortable and functional. Also, every square inch of the hotel is spotlessly maintained. I can't say enough about the hotel staff.Polite, courteous, helpful, accomodating, friendly, they function as a team to provide the guests with a very pleasant experience. The town is fascinating to walk through, experiencing ancient architecture next to modern fare. It is clean and safe, day or night, and we did a lot of walking and exploring. Only a short drive, by car or by bus, is the town of Taormina, and not much farther, Mt. Etna. Small towns in the surrounding hills provide a trip back in time, about 1,000 years. Magnificent old churchs and buildings, winding brick streets, the town squares. The people will proudly show you where 'The Godfather' was filmed. The hotel can arrange bus tours for you. The meals and the rooms are a very reasonably priced package. The hotel is exceptionally well managed, and for those of us who are not bilingual, english is spoken, although with the wonderful and romantic Italian lilt. You can fly from the major airports to Catania, where a bus from the hotel will pick you up for the approximately 1 hours drive to the hotel. It was definitely an entire experience I would, and will repeat.I have highly reccommended this hotel to friends. A Slice of Heaven, provided by The Hotel Kennedy.