If you are going to Catania, Sicily, a good hotel choice is Umberto House. We stayed there for seven nights in August 2021. It is in a great location with lots of shops, restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, markets, and only half a block from Borghese Gardens—a nice refuge from the hustle and bustle. It is located on the first and second European floors of an apartment building. What sets this hotel apart is the Manager/Owner, Senior Salvatore, who himself lives in an apartment in the same building. Pride of ownership is everywhere. The place is spotless and nicely decorated. Unlike sterile hotel rooms, the décor here really make you feel like you are in a home in Italy. Senior Salvo was available 24/7 for anything. He was very helpful in securing a Covid PCR test for our return to the United States. He called the lab for us and even walked to the pharmacy to make sure that they knew about us coming. When we arrived, he patiently showed us two different rooms and let us decide which one we wanted. We chose the room on the second floor with a balcony. Although a bit noisier than the first-floor quieter room, it was large, with lots of light, a wardrobe, and plenty of desk and counter space. It even had a chandelier on the ceiling. Breakfast was included. There was a good selection of cereal, yogurt, cold cuts, cheese, varied juices, bread, Italian pastries, fresh fruit, and made to order coffee. There was a quiet patio seating area which was perfect for Covid social distancing. We will definitely return to Umberto House for our next visit to Catania.
25 Reviews