Page 200 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

198  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Sicily has a huge range of places to stay, from scene has brought people from all walks of
simple family-run B&Bs and self-catering life – from aristocrats to artists – into the
apartments to stylish boutique hotels and hospitality trade, making it ever easier for
gorgeous historic palazzi and country villas. visitors to avoid the impersonality of service
Although the coastline of Sicily has its share found in some hotels. The agriturismo (rural
of bland, modern three- and four-star hotels tourism) scheme has allowed the owners
and apartment complexes, with obligatory of country estates, vine yards and farms to
pool or private beach, if you know where convert palaces, villas and barns into rooms,
to look there are also more interesting and suites and apart ments. Use this section and
original choices. A vibrant bed-and-breakfast the listings on pp202–5 to guide your choice.

included as well, but again,
check if booking online, either
via the hotel’s website or an
accommodation broker site.
In high season (August and
sometimes July as well) you
may be expected to take half-
or full-board in some hotels.

Tourist Season
Hotels in towns and cities are
usually open all year round.
On the minor islands and in
seaside resorts, hotels are
often open only from Easter
to October, and in the high
Spa facilities can be found at most luxurious Sicilian hotels season (August and sometimes
July as well) half-board is often
Hotel Grading Facilities for the disabled and obligatory. However, if travelling
and Facilities access for people in wheelchairs out of season to destinations
Sicilian hotels are classified by a are required by law in hotels like these, websites such as
star rating system, based on an and agriturismi, and many B&Bs Airbnb (see p200) will help
easily quantifiable checklist of have disabled access as well. you find privately owned
facilities and services, such as apartments and rooms (the
the number of rooms with en Prices lack of restaurants open off-
suite bathroom; whether there season makes self-catering
is a restaurant on site; and if By law, every conventional hotel the best option).
there is 24-hour room service. room (as opposed to B&B) in
How ever, the star rating is no Italy must display the Ente del Booking
guide to the subtler, more Turismo (Tourist Board) price
subjective charms of hotels, for the room with the maximum Should you decide to go to
such as the style of decor or charges during the year; these Sicily in July or August you
the helpfulness of the staff. prices may not be exceeded. must book well in advance,
With the rise of the B&B As a result of the popularity especially if you want to stay
guesthouse and agriturismo of Internet brokering sites, on the coast, as the island gets
movements (Sicily has more such as kayak.com, expedia.com very busy in peak season. The
B&Bs than anywhere else in and booking.com, rooms are best deals are usually available
Italy) and the increasing increasingly priced according via brokerage sites.
number of boutique hotels, in to demand, rather than season.
which the emphasis is on It is often possible to secure a
ambience and a more room in a luxury hotel for less Tourist Villages
personalised style and service than a third of the official rate. Resort villages allow you to
rather than conventional The prices displayed or enjoy a seaside holiday in a less
facilities, the star system has quoted online usually include formal atmosphere than in a
become increasingly irrelevant. taxes and service, but it is hotel, and are good for families.
Indeed, many hotels no longer always wise to check. A Most are sited on the Sicilian
advertise their star rating at all. continental breakfast is often coast, and many offer inclusive

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