Hilton HHonors - Hilton Portorosa, Sicily

The newly opened (March 2007) Hilton Portorosa (HP) is located within a gated, secure complex on the North coast of Sicily consisting mainly of town homes and low-rise condos. The complex encompasses a marina, a private beach, public swimming pool and a small shopping center. The HP is owned locally (same owner as the Scandic Siracusa) and managed by Hilton.

Unless you plan to arrive by sea (the HP has 12 spaces for the mooring of private yachts), the best way to get there is by air to either Palermo (PMO - 190 km) or Catania (CTA - 149 km) airports, and then rent a car and drive (exit Falcone). Alternatively, you can catch a train from CTA or PMO to Barcellona (about 18 km) and arrange for the hotel to send a car or hope that you will find a taxi.

The HP is an impressive, newly built high-rise (7 floors) with 234 rooms, 10 junior suits and 19 suites. The public areas are well appointed and comfortable. There is a large (not very imaginative) swimming pool with great views of the marina and the surrounding mountains. There are lots of things to do and the hotel suggests: beach, swimming, windsurfing, canoes, diving courses, tennis, and excursions to the Aeolian Islands.

The HP brochure mentions several restaurants (Re Ruggero; Marina Restaurant and La Perla on the roof of the hotel) and bars (Lobby Bar and Beach Bar) but not all of these were opened during my stay. The breakfast (EUR 15) service starts at 0900 on Saturday and Sunday and 0700 on Mon to Fri.

The fitness center had not opened at the time of my stay so I cannot offer any comments.

The hotel does not have an Executive Lounge.

My room rate was EUR 90 (non-refundable) for the first two nights and EUR 115 (flexible rate) for the third night. As a Diamond, I was upgraded to a “plus room” (whatever that meant) with a Marina view. I was provided with breakfast vouchers without asking, and the welcome amenity consisted of a bottle of sparkling wine and a very decorative fruit plate consisting of thin slices of orange, kiwi fruit, strawberries, all nicely arranged on a mirror.

My room was well appointed with a comfortable bed and a large terrace/balcony. The TV was a small (21 inch) table model and CNN and the BBC were the only channels available in English. The bath room was not especially impressive and I was disappointed by the now antique "in-bath" type shower. HP offers Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries. The AC was not working.

HDSL internet connection is available in all rooms. The internet can also be accessed via the TV with a wireless key board and a plug-in analog connection is available. The Business Center was closed during most of my stay.

Overall I enjoyed my stay and I was very impressed with the staff, their responsiveness and quality of service. However, the hotel was not ready for prime-time at the time of my stay. Examples include:

1. the fitness center was not open
2. the Beach Bar and two of the restaurants were not open
3. the Business Center was not open for most of my stay (this was important to me as I was counting on my stay to complete a project report)
4. the AC was not working
5. room service menus were not available
6. the advertised gift shops, car rental desk and shuttle services were still in the planning stage

My most serious complaint was the lack of A/C. I was most impressed with how this was addressed. My complaint was met with an explanation that the hotel was suffering from a system-wide A/C technical issue. I was offered a move to a junior suite on the shady side to the hotel and a glass of sparkling wine was waiting for me in my new room.

While I fully understand that “things happen" in a newly opened hotel; guests should be forewarned of the situation (and given the opportunity to either cancel any non-refundable reservations or offered an appropriate discount as compensation for the missing services) BEFORE they arrive.

Assuming that all of the advertised services are available (suggest that you check), I would recommend the hotel if you travels take you to Sicily. All of the staff that I encountered were helpful, friendly and service oriented. Interestingly, all of the staff (including an Australian Rooms manager) were hired locally and there is not a single Hilton Corporate employee at the property. All of the Hilton training staff had left two weeks prior to my stay.

The General Manager is Luigi Sorge and the e-mail address is sales.protorosa@hilton.com.

Bondi --

Thanks so much for your review, it was quite detailed and I, too, am disappointed that they did not have any A/C!

I look forward to your reviews of the Scandic Siracusa and the Villa Igiea!


Best regards,

NJ

P.S. -- I also wonder whether the hotel was being candid with you with respect to the A/C. I believe there is an Italian law that requires a hotel to turn on the A/C (if it advertises such an amenity) by a specific date in the Spring through and up until some time in the Fall. Of course, a hotel is free to offer more days for such an amenity -- outside of the required days -- but is not permitted to provide less.

I have read on numerous travel websites about a guest's disappointment in Italy, that although quite hot, the hotel refused to turn on the A/C because it was not required to do so.

Most 4 star hotels and above in Europe are air-conditioned, and a sizeable proportion of 3 star hotels too. But the air-conditioning is not always as icily efficient as elsewhere, because they are often grafted onto ancient buildings. And in many hotels, notably in Italy, the air conditioning will only be available in the summer months, so if you are unfortunate enough to be visiting during a heat wave the week before the ‘official’ start of summer, no amount of pleading with the hotel manager will switch it on. He will tell you it is down to the contract with the utilities company, and unfortunately in most cases he will be telling the truth - up to a point. By the same token the air-conditioning will sometimes go off half way through the night, on the theory that you are asleep and won’t notice anyway, and besides, it saves trees (and money). Oh those Italians!


http://www.travelintelligence.net/php/articles/art.php?id=1186

Although available at most 4 and 5 star hotels, use of air-conditioning abroad differs greatly from the United States. Many European hotels were built before central air-conditioning was introduced. Air-conditioning is often shut down at night and from the end until the start of the summer months.

http://www.gate1travel.com/terms.HTML



I wonder if the "system wide" technical issue that you experienced, was in reality this sort of thing.

A recounting of the dates of your stay might shed some light on this issue. @:-)

Bondi --


A recounting of the dates of your stay might shed some light on this issue. @:-)

My stay was April 23-26.

My comments on Hilton Villa Igiea (HVI) and Scandic Siracusa will follow soon but in brief:

the HVI is coasting along on its 1950s reputation and is over rated. The location is not great (it will cost you EUR 12-15 to take a taxi downtown) and the property is tired. The worst aspect is the ancient staff who are generally unhelpful and regard the guest as an interuption to their daily routine (mainly chatting with each other). I would be reluctant to return/recommend.

The Scandic Siracusa (soon to become a Hilton Garden Inn) is a good three star hotel that is very conveniently located next to the ZONA ARCHEOLOGICA.It is a good choice

My stay was April 23-26.

My comments on Hilton Villa Igiea (HVI) and Scandic Siracusa will follow soon but in brief:

the HVI is coasting along on its 1950s reputation and is over rated. The location is not great (it will cost you EUR 12-15 to take a taxi downtown) and the property is tired. The worst aspect is the ancient staff who are generally unhelpful and regard the guest as an interuption to their daily routine (mainly chatting with each other). I would be reluctant to return/recommend.


Thanks, I read mixed reviews on this hotel on Tripadvisor.com and the Excelsior won't be opening until September, now, so I have to think about this one.

The Scandic Siracusa (soon to become a Hilton Garden Inn) is a good three star hotel that is very conveniently located next to the ZONA ARCHEOLOGICA.It is a good choice

I knew it, I knew it. I predicted this and I bet that the Scandic Bari will also convert to a Garden Inn or be reflagged by another chain, or go it alone, as it is much too far beyond the focus for a Scandinavian hotel chain.

Hopefully, some of the other Scandics -- Brugges, Germany and Netherlands will also be re-flagged as HGIs.

Look forward to your more detailed report when you have the time! ^

Reading other travelogues, I am almost positive that the "technical" issue was that they were not required to put on the A/C and, therefore, they did not, as there have been many complaints in Italy forums about the lack of A/C in April, especially during a heat wave.

Look forward to your other reviews.

NJ

Thanks for the follow-up.

I intend to complain regarding the AC (or lack of it) and it will be interesting to see the outcome.

NJ

Thanks for the follow-up.

I intend to complain regarding the AC (or lack of it) and it will be interesting to see the outcome.


You know, I can accept this at a lower star hotel, but to get this sort of dissembling from a newly opened hotel/resort, much less, is really, really ridiculous. Great way for such a property to go and make a name for itself. :rolleyes:

By the way, since they are both owned by the same corporate entity, was the Scandic soon to be HGI Siracusa, similarly lacking its A/C?

In addition, did they advise or give any idea when the re-flagging of that property was to take place? I have reservations there in early to mid-July.

Thanks!

By the way, since they are both owned by the same corporate entity, was the Scandic soon to be HGI Siracusa, similarly lacking its A/C?

In addition, did they advise or give any idea when the re-flagging of that property was to take place? I have reservations there in early to mid-July.

Thanks!

If the AC was lacking, then I did not notice it. I just can't remember so I assume that it was not such a problem in Siracusa as it was in Portorosa.

The Front Office Manager who told me about the re-flagging was not aware of the date - he simple mentioned "that we have been told that ... etc."

This is a brand new hotel and I'm due to stay here for the first time in July. Has anyone stayed here yet and is able to give recommendations as to the best sort of room and other useful info etc?

This is a brand new hotel and I'm due to stay here for the first time in July. Has anyone stayed here yet and is able to give recommendations as to the best sort of room and other useful info etc?

Welcome to Flyertalk. Being new you're probably not aware that you can search for information using the search function. On the dark blue bar above you should see the word "search" you can use that to research information throughout FlyerTalk.

Since your new, I've pulled the following thread from mid May.

If you have any further questions, please post them in the thread below and I'm sure one of the many fabulous FTers will chime in.

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7777435&highlight=Sicily#post7777435

Overall I enjoyed my stay and I was very impressed with the staff, their responsiveness and quality of service. However, the hotel was not ready for prime-time at the time of my stay. Examples include:

1. the fitness center was not open
2. the Beach Bar and two of the restaurants were not open
3. the Business Center was not open for most of my stay (this was important to me as I was counting on my stay to complete a project report)
4. the AC was not working
5. room service menus were not available
6. the advertised gift shops, car rental desk and shuttle services were still in the planning stage

My most serious complaint was the lack of A/C. I was most impressed with how this was addressed. My complaint was met with an explanation that the hotel was suffering from a system-wide A/C technical issue. I was offered a move to a junior suite on the shady side to the hotel and a glass of sparkling wine was waiting for me in my new room.

While I fully understand that “things happen" in a newly opened hotel; guests should be forewarned of the situation (and given the opportunity to either cancel any non-refundable reservations or offered an appropriate discount as compensation for the missing services) BEFORE they arrive.


As a follow-up to the above, following my complaint to Hilton Guest Assistance, the GM of the Hilton Portorosa has fully refunded the cost of my stay. This generosity went well beyond what I had requested (some HH points) and leaves me with an excellent impression of the Hotel.

As a follow-up to the above, following my complaint to Hilton Guest Assistance, the GM of the Hilton Portorosa has fully refunded the cost of my stay. This generosity went well beyond what I had requested (some HH points) and leaves me with an excellent impression of the Hotel.

Good for you. ^

Have just returned from a very enjoyable 7 night stay at this hotel with Mrs Corpt and Corpt Jnr courtesy of HHonors points.

The hotel is very comfortable, being well designed and furnished, particularly in the communal areas, where the furnishings are of an extremely high quality.

We were accomodated in a lovely King Suite, with great views overlooking the sea. The room was very comfortable and well furnished, with plenty of storage space etc. There was a separate lounge area with a sofa bed, perfect for Corpt Jnr.

Although most of the staff didn't speak any English, this wasn't a problem and all staff were very helpful and responsive, particularly those behind Reception who provided excellent recommendations for outside restaurants from 5 minutes to 45 minutes drive away.

There are, however, currently three problems with the hotel:


the hotel is isolated and it would be impossible to enjoy yourself here for any length of time without a car. Unless you want to eat all your meals in the hotel (I wouldn't recommend it) you need to be mobile and wouldn't be able to find taxis very easily.
the poolside food and beverage offering is very poor. There is no dedicated poolside bar/cafe and all that is presently offered is a combination of the lounge menu and the room service menu, served from the lounge bar and usually very slowly. A hotel of this type (Hilton Worldwide Resort) should have some sort of pool cafe/bar for quick service.
the shower in the bathroom is terrible, being of the handheld variety with a wall bracket positioned badly such that, also having an ineffective shower screen, it is impossible to have a shower without soaking the whole bathroom.


Three restaurant recommendations:

Pensione Quattro Staggione - local restaurant 10 mins drive away in Falcone. This a very rustic informal place which seems like it's on the front porch/deck of someone's house but serving excellent local Sicilian food. Excellent three course meal for three, with wine, came to $65.
Pizzeria Tyndaris - an excellent pizzeria at the top of the mountain 15/20 mins to the West of Portorosa with great cliff-top views. Look West from the hotel and you'll see a church at the top of the hill in the distance. The pizzeria is next door. Again, this isn't a tourist place and the waiters don't speak English but the food is excellent and good value. Two course meal for three with wine came to less than €50.
Salamone a Mare - an excellent fish restaurant 30 minutes away in Capo de Milazzo. More expensive than the above two but still not unreasonable at €125 for three courses with wine, for three people. We just let the waiter choose the meal for us and it was fantastic.


When we stayed there, most of the other guests were Russian and on the same tour party. It seems one of the managers in the early days had done a deal with a Russian tour operator to fill up some of the rooms. I understand that manager is no longer with the hotel.....

Breakfast was very good. As Diamond HH we received free breakfast and I think it would cost approx €15 pp otherwise. There was a good mix of hot and cold (fruit, cheeses, different bread types, meats, etc etc) with eggs of all varieties available to order. Mrs Corpt likes her poached eggs and they did those very well indeed. Make sure you ask serving staff for freshly squeezed orange juice, rather than taking the awful artificial stuff from the buffet.

So we had a great stay there and would go back again. If you go there expecting the hotel to be perfect and on-site, you'll be disappointed. However, if you recognise that there are one or two imperfections but are prepared to go out and about a little then you'll have a great time.

My stay was April 23-26.

My comments on Hilton Villa Igiea (HVI) and Scandic Siracusa will follow soon but in brief:

the HVI is coasting along on its 1950s reputation and is over rated. The location is not great (it will cost you EUR 12-15 to take a taxi downtown) and the property is tired. The worst aspect is the ancient staff who are generally unhelpful and regard the guest as an interuption to their daily routine (mainly chatting with each other). I would be reluctant to return/recommend.

The Scandic Siracusa (soon to become a Hilton Garden Inn) is a good three star hotel that is very conveniently located next to the ZONA ARCHEOLOGICA.It is a good choice

My wife and I were planning to vacation in Siracusa, and thought we would stay with Hilton at what was formerly the Scandic Siracusa. I number of posts indicate that this property was to be reflagged as a Hilton Garden Inn (HGI), and one of the hotel booking agents lists this hotel as a HGI. In addition the new Frommer Sicily travel book lists this property as HGI, but it is not listed on the Hilton website. Was this hotel ever reflagged as a HGI, and is it currently a property where I can get HHonors points?