Des Etrangers Hotel & SPA - Syracuse

This is an old hotel. During our stay, the temperature outside became greater than 85 degrees, but the room had no air conditioning. When we turned the hot water faucet on, brown water came out for the first few minutes. This is an overrated run down facility in need of a face lift. Most of the island is very small, so almost any location will do.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We have stayed several times at Des Etrangers and always enjoy it. This time our room was in the new section. It was more spacious with a small view of the sea but we heard loud music at night from a local restaurant/bar. Apart from the noise we loved it. Breakfast is served on the rooftop and is both tasty and with beautiful views in the morning. Very […] friendly staff. Parking is not convenient but is very cheap and the hotel helps you to manage it. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

This guest did not leave a comment.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This guest did not leave a comment.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A classic hotel

Genuine Expedia guest review

This hotel was located just one block from the Piazza in Siracusa. However, it took FOREVER to find this place! We arrived after dark, and the hotel is not well advertised. We circled the island about 5 times before we realized we kept passing right by it! The most inconvenient part is that you have to park your car on the opposite side of the island. […] But, the location is awesome, and Siracusa is such a beautiful place! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We were greeted at our car by a bellboy who helped us with our bags. Check in couldn't have been easier, the front desk was expecting us. The room was nice with a large bathroom and a spa tub. I liked it so much, that I didn't want to leave after the 3 nights we had planned. Car parking is the only downside to this hotel, but it is more a problem of […] the area and not the hotel. We had to park about a mile away in a city car park (1 Euro overnight). I actually enjoyed it, because the walk back to the hotel is very nice. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

This is a gem. Located in a great part of the city, beautiful design of common spaces and rooms, wonderful views. The rooftop breakfast is great and the view from the roof is to die for. As others have noted, it is hard to find this hotel on the narrow, one way streets of Syracusa, and parking is not close to the hotel, but those are minor conveniences […] for a hotel that is memorable. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A very historic hotel with a wonderful location and outlook. Very comfortable although some maintenance required - shower leaked all over floor .

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We had a superior seaview room and we enjoyed the breathtaking view of the harbour. The hotel is in the centre of the nightlife and restaurants in Ortygie. The breakfast was excellent and the view from the rooftop terrasse was extraordinary. For a five star hotel, some short comings in the room's maintenance was unfortunate; example: half of the balcony […] doors didn't open and was broken, the shower area wasn't very appealing. The lack of complimentary WI FI is always a desappointment in any hotel let alone a five star hotel. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Ideal location with most rooms overlooking the sea. Just a short walk to the centre of Syracuse and all the activity - restaurants, shops and attractions, all within easy walking distance. The only downside was that there is no parking near the hotel, and from September 2012 all cars must be reigstered with the Police to enter Ortigya Island (the hotel […] will do this for you on your arrival). Parking for visitors is allowed only in white boxes (not yellow or blue boxes) and these are mainly along the East side of the Island, while Des Etrangers is on the West side.If you like City Breaks you must have Syracuse on your list - lots of history to see, good food, nice bars and loads of people watching opportunities. Breakfast on the rooftop was an amazing experience, to look over the sea and the historic roofs of this beautiful city. We loved the food and quirky ambience at Tratorria La Foglia (just behind the hotel) and the bar Il Sale was good. We had room 108, a Superior room, with a sea view, but obscured by trees, whch did not detract anything for us. The room was clean, cool and comfortable. Sicily is plagued by litter on most streets and roads, and driving is uber- manic but the warmth of the people and weather make it a must-do destination. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel's in a fantastic location & looks grand from outside.The entrance is amazing.Unfortunately, this is where the 5-star ends.We booked a 'Superior' room, assuming it was of a high standard.When we arrived,Reception said that we had been upgraded to a 'Deluxe'.Other than the view,nothing about the room was deluxe.The room was stale,tired looking,mouldy […] & mildewy.We asked to change and were downgraded to a Superior.This room was in a better state,but still mouldy.The sheets & towels were clean & the bathroom was nicer.We stayed in this room for our first night.What a night it was!Having returned back to the hotel from dinner at midnight,we closed our door but failed to block out the loud music from the bar below.At 3am the music finally stopped.The air conditioning in the room wasn't effective,despite us contacting Reception who controlled the temperature.By the middle of the night,the air in the room was stifling.The next day we complained and were moved to a deluxe room again.This was small but clean,with a beautiful sea view,but with a small bathroom and a horrible stench of drains.By this time we were exhausted of complaining!When we booked with Expedia our booking included 20% off spa treatments.The hotel denied this but said they would allow us to use the pool (which all guests could do anyway).We didn't use the pool much as it was indoors and you had to wear a swimming hat.Breakfast was on the roof terrace,which had a great view.It was a buffet and was adequate. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The hotel is conveniently located in the old city, a few minutes from the Duomo piazza. It's a huge building, most of it seems not in use. Their roof garden (where breakfast is served) has superb views and a nice breeze. Unlike many other hotels in Sicily, this one has A/C in the public areas, but the A/C in the room wasn't cool enough. The room was […] quite big, and suited our needs. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Great hotel with beautiful facilities. Wonderful spa and perfectly situated overlooking the sea.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Lovely hotel but needed more staff on reception only ever one person there which slowed down check in etc .However staff very friendly.They should have been more forthcomng about spa and leisure services when u check in like where everything is.We had lovely room over looking the sea. Breakfast good on roof terrace. Didnt eat at restaurant but seemed […] very expensive compared to the fantastic food available in the town andin fact next door for afraction of the price. An outdoor swimming pool would be good . Would definitely recommend the hotel and Ortygia once you have got there.Beautiful decor in the hall and staircase. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

A great rest in a wonderful setting. Staff were superb they helped us locate missing bags from the airport and were polite and well presented.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Excellent, especially the best restaurant manager we have ever come across. The restaurant is on the roof of the hotel and with a beautiful view. Hotel in a beautiful location.Only disadvantage was that if you had a car, there was no parking. Public parking was 15 minutes walk and it was a pay meter, taking coins, the meter kept having to be fed! Think […] it would be a better idea if the hotel could provide you with a pass and pay them on departure, but that was my only fault with a great hotel. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I'm not a fussy traveller. I've always gone with the philosophy that I only need a room and a bed. I've always stayed in youth hostels but just decided to treat myself this holiday. Maybe I should have saved the money and stuck to the youth hostels.. Staff- They did their best to be helpful but were not the most informative of people. I had to go out […] to the LOL hostel to get information that I needed. Room- I did not go for the superior room. I thought I was already paying enough to deserve a decent room. Furniture was old and poorly maintained. Lights in my toilet were spoilt but no one made any efforts to replace the bulb. Walls of the shower were mouldy (all of which can be easily removed with some strong bleech and gentle scrubbing if someone made the effort). Even the lobby toilets were in better condition than the one in my room. Sheets were stained. Pool- That's a pool??!!?? Rather good jacuzzi though. Breakfast- 5/5. The roof top restaurant is enchanting and breakfast was good. Location- 5/5. Full points for its location. WiFi- I don't see why guests have to pay 13 Euros/day for WiFi in a 4 star hotel. Summary- Unless you get the superior room with the sea view, you probably won't get your money's worth. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

First, the good bits - the hotel is a grand old building with a wonderful location. The roof garden is just a perfect place to start the day with a lovely breakfast or to sip your evening drinks as you watch the sun go down. The hotel is close to a wide range of cafes, bars and restaurants. Now for the rest - the standard of cleanliness in our room […] was not as high as it should have been. The hotel plumbing produced frequent loud blaring, chugging and clanking noises, the like of which we have not experienced before in any hotel anywhere! The reception staff were friendly and helpful but the waiting staff were the complete opposite. There were no smiles or welcome of any kind whenever we walked into the rooftop garden - in fact they looked like they were deliberately trying to avoid eye contact. They were decked out in amazing uniforms and made an elaborate show of placing the utensils perfectly on the table but, other than strutting about looking good there was no sign of customer engagement at all. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We stayed with our two friends who stayed in the room next door. For first two nights had terrible noise from a wine bar/ club next door and had to be moved for the last two. We then had very good rooms. However, dont know why they put us in those noisy rooms at all as most people must ask to move. It was a shame when they knew we were staying 4 nights. […] Breakfast on the rooftop is lovely. Despite the problems we would stay again and ask for quiet room! Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The hotel staff were very poor; inefficient on reception, stroppy in the pool and starchy in the restaurant.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Ortygia is an absolutely beautiful place to relax and for a short trip there is no need to go off the island. Des Etrangers was a nice hotel but not worthy of a 5* rating. The location is great though, with lots of lovely restaurants and shops nearby. The roof terrace bar had a wonderful view and the service was good. Breakfast was variable. Most days […] it was a struggle to get the attention of the staff to get a coffee. Also, if the hot buffet ran out they often did not replenish it - even 40 minutes before the end of the service! Coffee and pastries amazing though. The pool was a good place to relax in the middle of the day and was often empty. The reception and housekeeping staff were helpful and friendly. There is a small strip of sand just opposite the hotel (in front of the aquarium) where you can relax and swim. The nearby marina has some great boats and yachts to admire. Take plenty of spending money,! Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Superb views from the breakfast room.

Genuine Expedia guest review

This guest did not leave a comment.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Really excited when we saw the location of the hotel,right on the seafront and looking forward to the seaview room we had paid extra for and the anticipation of really good treatment as I had emailed ahead that it was my husband's birthday.We were given a lovely room,but no view as it was blocked by trees.After 2hours of negotiation,we were reluctantly […] given a room with a view,but the quality of the room was poor-leaking shower,tiny bathroom with no bath.We were promised a better room the next day,but that never materialised.The service did not live up to its 5 star status and the room was only worthy of 3 stars.Very dissappointing for the price. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel location is in the old part of town which is nice however it is situated in a very very noisy location were people congregate on Saturday night until very late to party and since the hotel has absolutely no sound proofing at all, being on the 1st floor, we could hear everything people were saying like if they were in our bedroom. Horrible when […] we had gotten up at 5am that morning to go on our holiday and we had to wait well after 1am the following day to be able to sleep. the inside of the hotel is no better since we could here the maids very early in the morning (we were by the service stairs) and ever during late afternoon - they talked loud to each other and were making a lot of noise at 6pm in the evening??? we were trying to have a siesta as the sat night had been very short but Sunday afternoon was impossible to enjoy either as they still were cleaning some rooms or so it seems. Incredible! the next day, we checked out exhausted at the lack of sleep. That morning I had actually be woken up by a hoover noise in our corridor at 7.30am - when I came out angry I realised the noise actually came from the lobby area - it sounded like they were right outside our door! unbelievable!. I think it is a shame because the hotel is very beautiful inside - I liked the decor and staff were pleasant however they seriously need to sound proof their bedrooms because if clients cannot sleep properly in a 5* hotels this is useless to have 5* as far as I am concerned they might as well have only 2 or 3 or even none. We left really tired when we were supposed to be on holiday for a rest. This is even more incredible because of the fact that it is supposed to be a spa too i.e. have treatments to relax etc... how can you enjoyu your treatments if you cannot sleep at night? Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We picked this hotel not knowing quite what to expect. It is perfectly situated on the water front overlooking the Well of Arethusa and the Large Harbour - and a short distance from the lovely Piazza Duomo. Hotel rooms are spread over two buldings. We had a room on the side in the second building, with partial view over the Large Harbour. (Rooms at […] front and side are probably best since Ortygia can be quite noisy at least on a Saturday night). The room was very large, well equipped and with a very nice large bathroom. We'ed definitely have that room again! The hotel has a dining room with panoramic views on the fifth floor. Definitely worth a visit if only for the view. We also had a superlative simple lunch there - one of our best meals in Sicily (if a little expensive it has to be said). The hotel also has spa facilties (not tried). Unusually, breakfast was not include in our room rate, so we didn't try it either. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The hotel has been extensively refurbished after apparently being closed for 30 years. First the good news. The room was large with pleasant Art Nouveau decor and French windows opening to a view across the harbour that was stunning. The public areas are attractive and well maintained. The rooftop restaurant / bar is comfortable, nicely decorated and […] has great views. Now the not quite so good news. Before dinner the lone barman / waiter disappeared or ignored us and another couple for extended periods and I had to go looking for him. The food in the restaurant was disappointing - rack of lamb, while nicely prepared, was ordered medium and served bloody and with nothing else - no potatoes, vegetable or salad, just the meat. Having left the room at 11am it had not been cleaned or the breakfast tray removed when we returned at 3pm - this really shouldn't happen. The drain in the basin in the bathroom didn't work properly and the water took ages to drain away, but wasn't fixed during our stay despite being reported. A room service breakfast ordered for the 8:30-9:00 slot arrived at 9:20 after repeated telephone calls to reception. The only (smallish) lift while modern was irritatingly slow. So - all in all, an attractive hotel with a great location let down by the absence of parking arrangements and a lack of attention to detail. Would I go again? Now that I know the ropes, probably. The proximity to the Piazza del Duomo and the seafront, and the views, made up for a lot. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

This guest did not leave a comment.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hôtel 5 étoiles, au centre de Syracuse, face à la mer. Chambres impeccables. A certaines périodes, chambres pas plus chères que dans un 2 étoiles !!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

La camera molto bella e spaziosa. personale professionale disponibile. colazione eccellente. vista meravigliosa. Pulito e ben posizionato per chi vuole stare in olgiata.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I am not quite sure how this how this can be rated as a 5 star hotel. There was no aircondition (it was not broken, just not turned on). Our room was extremely hot and we didn’t really get any sleet the five nights we stayed there. When we kindly asked them to turn it on – we had after all paid for it, it was listed in the order confirmation – we was […] meet by an extremely rude lady, the manager, who tried to teach us that aircondition was just a fan and not necessarily cold air… The rooftop bar is nice but stil… not a 5 star hotel! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Posizione magnifica ma oltre a quella poco se non nulla d'altro. Servizi inesistenti se considerato 5 stelle. Bagno sporco,no turn down,colazione modello mensa Caritas con oltretutto tovaglie sporche.Personale non professionale ed indisponente,impossibile confrontarsi con un manager

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This guest did not leave a comment.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

tutti ci siamo lamentati che l'acqua della vasca idromassaggio era fredda,e infatti non ci andava quasi nessuno,ma loro hanno detto che tengono la temperatura a 28/29 gradi e non oltre.Se vai in una piscina per nuotare allora la temperatura va bene perchè ti riscaldi nuotando ma non per fare idromassaggio stando fermi a raffreddarsi.Ma io dico,lo volete […] accontentare il cliente, in modo che possa ritornare,o volete farlo scappare. Abbiamo scelto un albergo con i servizi SPA per rillassarci anche perchè in questo periodo invernale non è che si può fare il bagno in mare.Una cosa è certamente positiva;ottima vista sul mare.Per il resto hanno messo qualche stella di troppo. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Hotel nel pieno centro di Ortigia sulla Fontana Aretusa. Praticamente a 5 minuti da qualsiasi luogo di interesse. Ristorante panoramico con vista eccellente. SPA un po' confusionaria e con qualche pecca organizzativa così come il locale per la colazione che non ha posti a sufficienza per soddisfare tutti i clienti. Abbiamo dovuto attendere il turno […] per sederci a tavola per almento 20 minuti. Cibo discreto e personale assolutamente squisito. Presenti diverse famiglie con bambini ma l'hotel non è adeguatamente organizzato per accoglierle. Molta confusione soprattutto nella SPA #che non è stata "rilassante"....#. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Piacevolissimo soggiorno presso una bella e centrale struttura di Ortigia.Da ripetere.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Un séjour agréable, un personnel à l'accueil sympathique. L'Hôtel est très grand, l'espace piscine est agréable. Les chambres ont besoin d'un peu de remise à neuf ou du moins de remise en état autour du système de climatisation et de l'étanchéité des douches. Agréable petit déjeuner en terrasse. Bonne impression générale.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Vet inte riktigt hur hotellet lyckades få fem stjärnor. Väldigt lyhört -när grannen använder toan eller duschen, hörs det! Internet extremt dyrt på hotellet -det finns en hel del caféer i närheten som erbjuder grattis WiFi där man sitter i solen och surfar med ett glas vin eller dy.l. vid handen -mycket bättre. Parkeringen är ett kapitel för sig -det […] står på hemsidan " i närheten" -det betyder i verkligheten 1500 meter bort. inte särskilt bekvämt. Sist, vårt anvisat rum saknade elström -då fick vi ett mindre!!!!!!! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hôtel de charme bien situé.choisir chambre avec vue mer car les autres sont bruyantes semble t il.la baignoire balneo ne fonctionnait pas

Genuine Expedia guest review

Het fijnste was de prachtige ruimte op het dak waar de bar, salon, ontbijtruimte zich bevond: Uitzicht over de hele stad en baai, terras om buiten te zitten, helemaal sprookjesachtig. Prima locatie. Internetvoorzieningen niet ideaal, en had m.i. gratis moeten zijn in een 5-sterren hotel..... Badkamer had een plafond met groot schimmelachtige schotten, […] wat niet prettig oogde. Badkamer was verder goed, en slaapkamer was mischien eerder 4-sterren dan 5-sterren. Uitstekende service van alle hotelwerkers. We hebben genoten van de goede service, de wellness pool en de prachtige dakruimte.... Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This guest did not leave a comment.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Hotel di charme.Ottimo il servizio ai tavoli nel breakfast. Informazioni imprecise all'accoglienza. Impensabile non risolvere il parking auto dei clienti.

Genuine Expedia guest review

L'acqua calda sanitaria esce di uno sgradevole color marrone a causa delle tubature completamente arrugginite (me lo ha confermato un inserviente). Lo staff si è dimostrato molto disponibile cambiandomi la camera per ben due volte (alla fine mi hanno assegnato la junior suite) anche se il problema si è ripresentato ogni volta. Gli impianti di questo […] albergo sono ormai troppo vecchi per consentire agli ospiti di soggiornarvi degnamente. Un rimprovero anche a chi assegna le stelle perché non svolge i controlli basilari. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

Excellent, Preisleistungs verhältnigs ist perfekt. Personal sehr hilf bereit.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

posizione invidiabile, personale cortese e disponibile roof garden da usare rapporto qualità prezzo decisamente interessante.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Molto accogliente; ottimo ristorante e splendida posizione

Genuine Expedia guest review

Palace un peu rétro en bord de mer, au coeur de l'île d'Ortigie, nous étions idéalement situés : proche du Duomo, des commerces (restau et boutiques de souvenirs), minuscule plage. Un havre de paix où nous avons pu nous reposer. La piscine de l'hôtel avait l'air accueillante, mais elle n'est pas en plein air (donc bonnet de bain obligatoire... à acheter […] sur place au prix fort si on ne l'a pas emporté dans ses bagages). On peut entrer sur l'île et déposer les bagages devant l'hôtel (même si la circulation est réglementée, l'hôtel transmettant l'immatriculation de la voiture à la police à l'arrivée, donc les éventuelles contraventions sont en principe épurées - on n'a pas testé, étant passé au vert à chaque fois) , et ensuite il faut rejoindre les parkings à l'entrée de l'île. Payant sauf à avoir la chance de trouver les quelques places gratuites. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

sublime terrasse pour prendre le petit dej .....

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Excellente impression avec une mention spéciale pour les équipements spa qui offrent un plus. Par contre la déco est un peu vieillot.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review