Cefalù Sea Palace

I had a lovely week in October at this seafront hotel in the charming town of Cefalu. There is a short promenade to walk to the centre of town. The hotel is comfortable and well appointed with friendly obliging staff. The roof top restaurant has stunning views matched to an excellent menu. The breakfast is buffet style with freshly made coffee as requested. Lunch and snacks are available at the pool bar. Dinner is served in a peaceful ambiance with the Maitre taking your order and served by the friendly waiters. The food was well prepared and served attractively. Rooms are clean and comfortable with balconies. Large bathrooms with walk-in shower. Fridge. Safe.

Am Eingang schon ein Problem: wie schaffe ich meinen Koffer die Stufen hinauf? Es gibt keine Rampe, nur einen Behindertentransporter. Die Mitarbeiter sind freundlich, die Zimmer schön und sehr stylisch, besonders die Bedienung der Lampen über ein Touchscreen. Die Gänge waren sehr dunkel, da fast keine Beleuchtung eingeschaltet war. Unter tags ging das noch, da etwas Tageslicht hereinkam, aber nachts war es unheimlich. Auch das Treppenhaus zum Restaurant war unbeleuchtet. An der Rezeption wurde meine diesbezügliche Anfrage nicht verstanden. Das Frühstücksbuffet war reichhaltig, das Abendessen gut. Die einzige Bettdecke für zwei Personen war gewöhnungsbedürftig, aber wir waren ja auch auf Sizilien. Die Anfahrt mit dem Bus war jedes Mal interessant, weil der Bus nicht wenden konnte und daher rückwärts zum Hotel fahren musste. Wer plant denn ein Hotel ohne ausreichende Zufahrt?

I feel a little cruel rating this place a 3 out of 5 because it was one of the cleanest hotels I’ve been to and the reception staff were always so welcoming and friendly. The reason for the three stars is purely because the hotel itself is SO DATED and you feel like you’re stepping back in time with the decor. To get in the room you need to insert a key card & chip into a slot in the wall. But taking the rest of the hotel inti consideration, I can imagine this was top notch tech when chip and pin bank cards originally came out. This card then had to be used for the electric/air con in the room and they only gave us one key so we were unable to leave the air con on when we went out. We also tried to turn it down to 16°c as it was still quite hot when we went but it never really got any lower than 21°c. It didn’t seem very powerful at all. We went Bed & Breakfast. There wasn’t a great selection of food - Mainly cakes and pastries. And some pancakes that were just left on a plate (not being kept warm). If they ran out, they ran out. I had yogurt and some granola every morning. Which isn’t the end of the world or far from what I’ve have at home but o would have had something different every morning if there was the choice. Going back to the building, the restaurant was on the top floor which was like a UPVC conservatory type building - which didn’t hold water. We had a torrential downpour on one of the nights and a storm which left the floor littered with their branded beach towels at breakfast. Every few steps you’d walk past another saturated beach towel on the floor collecting the water falling through the ceiling. The views of the horizon and Cefalu town from the top floor at breakfast however were beautiful. Also, the restaurant was home to one of the best book swaps I’ve ever seen on holiday! Like I say, I do feel cruel giving just three stars but it was perhaps a 5 star hotel way back in the 70’s. It is in serious need of renovation and modernisation. Sorry ‍♀️

Basic three star hotel. Food average. Breakfast very little choice and cold. Four course evening meal similar each night. Hotel position ideal across the road from the sea and 5 minute walk from old town. We caught the train to various local towns all little open other than maybe one cafe. I think the South side of island better.

WE had room 328 which looked out towards the town and beach. The sun hit the balcony at 7.00 and went behind the building by 9.00 which must be a relief in the peak heat days. This hotel is spotless. No odd little bits of rubbish or a glass left neatly hidden somewhere. The bar which wasn't used a great deal was below the ground floor on the pool level. Reception area was always deserted with guests but always manned. Daniel was just one of the lovely receptionists who was always helpful and pleasant. Half board was our choice with menu and waiter service. We had the same table reserved every night. The Maître d' ran the restaurant with the brilliant staff serving and clearing away efficiently and always pleasant. The food content was mainly Italian based but alternatives for everyone. All four courses. We didn't have one bad meal in the 14 days. Breakfast buffet had a massive choice and enough for anyone. Our room was very quiet. Some guests say they heard music from a basement wedding venue but three floors up we didn't hear anything. One day they held a Christening but the efficiency of the staff, which is military, didn't affect any boarders. This is not a cheap hotel but only slightly above other hotels. The pool area could be quite hot but the private beach with loungers and umbrellas within the price was a bonus. As mentioned above this is a very quiet hotel with no entertainment, happy hours and Duracells running everywhere......bliss

Definitely not 5 star food. Cold cooked food at breakfast. Very little choice of good quality food. A lot if pastries and cakes but not a lot of fresh produce. Rooms are average, no tea and coffee making facilities and not suitable for even slightly disabled as no hand rails in bath to access shower. Only 5 star point is seafront position.