We stayed at Sole Castello for a week (Neckermann’s package) from 2-9 August 2008. Honestly, I had numerous objections and worries before the trip to Taormina, as I had not found any good reviews on either Tripadvisor, or any other website. I had a small fear about the highway for example, which, according to the google maps , was going just below the hotel. I was nicely surprised, when I saw that the autostrada goes down in a tunnel along nearly the whole Taormina. We could see a tiny part of the highway (the one between 2 tunnels) from our balcony, but it was so far away, that I discovered it just on the 3rd day.
The best thing about Sole Castello is it’s location, however, just from the spectacular views point of view. It’s half way between the upper Taormina and Castelmola. From our balcony on the southern side of the hotel, we could admire a truly fantastic panorama including the Saracen castle (Castello) on the left (just 200 m away from the hotel), part of Taormina, the coast with Giardini Naxos nearly up to Catarnia (!) just in front of, magnificent and active Etna on the right, ending with Castelmola on the very right. Every morning we just loved to observe the awakening Etna, but the best views used to come evenings after the sunset, when we could see the red lava flowing down. Unforgettable!
There are rooms to the northern side which are not as nice, however, from the upper floors you can see some mountains and the see too. These are probably cheaper.
The location might not be too good for disabled or parents with small children in relation to walking as it is really quite high. We tried several times to walk the stairs which are just behind the church Madonna della Rocca (below the Castello) and it takes some 20 minutes to get down to the town. Not perfect when you have go down or climb up during the day time, as it was really hot. The way up takes some 10 minutes more and is sometimes the only way to go back if you like to stay long at night in town. The last bus from Taormina Piazza S.Pancrazzio goes at 23:50. There is a bus stop just in front of the hotel with 2 lines operating – orange and blue. Orange is probably the public bus (small one – piccolo), and the blue seems to be the private line. You would be surprised particularly about the first ride up or down with the blue line, after few days one can get used to it :) the 1 way ticket in the blue line is 1.40 EUR, and 0,50 EUR in orange.
The busses operate approx every 1 hour so check the schedule with the reception. They will give you the printed version anyway + the map of Taormina as many times as you want.
On one hand, the distance to the town was quite an issue, but on the other, it was not so crowded there as down the hill, and definitely more quiet.
The staff was always very kind, nice and helpful. The receptionist Carmen was more than nice. Always smiling and helpful at any time. Her friend however, with blond hair, was really unpolite and rude. All the waiters, despite the fact that their English was poor (but it was still good enough for communication), were also very nice. Try to learn some basic Italian, and they will just love you!
I generally don’t complain about the food but it was just typical hotel food. Dinners a’la carte were good enough and different every night. But breakfast was just the same every morning – same 1 kind of cooked ham, 1 kind of cheese and salami + muesli, milk and natural yoghurt. There was also honey and nutella-kind chocolate crème + rolls and croissants. One could say it is not bad, however, if you eat exactly the same every morning for 7 or 14 days, you might easily get bored. Tea and coffee were from the Nescafe-kind machine so water for tea was not even boiled. We truly regretted that they never gave any tomatoes or lemons – in Sicily it was just a disappointment.
There is a private hotel’s parking for 5 EUR per night. I was informed about that in e-mail before we came. We rent the car from California Rental Company for 4 days and parked it just at Madonna della Rocca street behind the hotel for free. As long as you don’t leave any precious belongings, nothing bad should happen.
The rooms were generally clean, but should probably be renovated as soon as possible. The AC system is really old and loud and it operates only from 2:00 p.m to 2:00 a.m. Bathrooms are very small and should also be renovated immediately. There is a tv in every room but you have to pay the deposit of 15 EUR for the remote control. We did not need it anyway. It was much more interesting to seat at night at the balcony with the bottle of wine from the bar downstairs, observing the lava flow and thousands of stars above the volcano.
The swimming pool is small but as long as there are not too many people, it is good enough. And you still can see Etna while swimming!
The hotel has a private beach and there is a shuttle bus there (Letojanni direction) but it costs 6,5 EUR and you have to book in advance. The price of ticket includes the transfer, umbrella and sun bed. This could be reasonable when you calculate all other costs when going on your own - bus (2,8 - 2 ways+ cable car (funivia 3,5 EUR 2 ways) + eventualy some 15 EUR per umbrella and 2 sun beds. And you don't need to change for any transport mean.
Don't try to make any changes in your reservation with the blond receptionist, because she will make problems and becomes unpolite. We did not go to the hotel beach because of the problems with her.
Except of the hotel restaurant, there is quite a popular restaurant Saraceno (not sure about the spelling) with spectacular panorama to the Etna, nearly every night full. The restaurant is at the very end of Via Madonna della Rocca. There is also a very nice bar Al Castello just 50 m above the hotel, where we used to spend nearly every evening drinking wine or bear, staring at Etna and stars, and listening to very good chill-out music (Buddha Bar kind) played by the owner. There are no shops or other bars in the neighborhood so you have to buy water etc in the town. There was however a small spring just next to the Madonna della Rocca church, with a drinkable water, which we often took to the hotel in a bottle. Cold and refreshing. There isn’t even a tiny fridge in any room so don’t better take any food to the room.
Sole Castello is good for non-demanding people, who like to stay out of the center and street life, and don’t mind long walks.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
