This hotel could be described as "place to rest". We booked one night on this hotel on the way to palermo, to split the road from catania and have chance to see the
Sicilian mountains! There's a very good view and you are surrounded from the mountaint. But the hotel... what an adventure! Needs more more improvings! Sometimes we felt like we were on a ghost town. Anyway it's ok for one night rest and go!

This is a beautiful hotel to relax in: an amazing building and setting; luxurious rooms and a fantastic pool. It is not far from Cefalu (about 15 minutes in a car) and makes for a lovely alternative place to stay out of town. It was a lovely couple of nights and I would definitely recommend staying here, however, I just wish the service had been a bit more friendly in the restaurant.

I am once again surprised to read the so-so comments about the Relais Santa Anastasia. I almost cancelled my stay there due to the reviews, and I am so, so glad I did not. We had a completly different experience. After travelling with the kids in interesting, but dry, busy and sometimes dirty places in Sicily, arriving at this beautiful relais was like finding an oasis of peace in the desert. The surroundings are beautiful, the rooms are spacious and fresh, the bathrooms are renovated with taste. The pool is terrific, especialy with kids. We found the staff to be pleasant, in particular at the restaurant. We were very pleasantly surprised with the food, we ate there every night of our stay and found it was well worth the reasonable price (30 to 40 euros for a 5 course tasting menu). We eat a lot (I really mean a lot) in well-coted, well-reviewed restaurant and that one had nothing to envy them. The menu is simple, but the ingredients are daily fresh and of good quality. We also loved the wine from the property's vineyards. I am surprised to hear people complaining about the buffet, wich I tought was pretty good compaired to other 5 stars hotels in Italy. The service around the pool is OK but could be a little more friendly. The only thing that could have been helpful is to have a brochure in the rooms explaining more about the relais, the vineyards and the surroundings. Situated an easy 15 minutes to Cefalu and Castlebuono. Definitely worth staying here 3 or 4 nights on a 2 weeks trip around Sicily.

we visitied this hotel for 4 nights during July 2010. overall one should not spend more than 2 days in this hotel.. no character, no atmosphere preset.. the pool area is its main asset, although a person was coming to the pool every 2 hours and during lunch he had an attitude with us ordering sth to eat. nobody was ever there byt the bar..the breakfast was basic. the service was not something special. the people at the reception were speaking fluently english and were helpful.
there was no informing of the wine cellar tour, etc. we found out the last day we were departing.
its location is between vineyards and the building is actually restored very well but the rooms are basic.
i would have given it 3,5 stars... and definetely needs an attitude change.