Hotel La Battigia

Disappointing
Traveller Type:
  : This hotel could be great but it is NOT a 4 star hotel. Disappointing and poorly managed in too many areas. The position of the hotel is fantastic for the beach, just a few steps down from the swimming pool/ terrace to a sandy family- friendly beach with plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas provided for all. But, many of the facilities are tired and well worn and most of the staff seemed disinterested Pool - in need of refreshing and too often there was the bad smell of drains. Room - clean, comfortable beds but the bathroom was shabby (rusted, missing/damaged tiles). We had the room at the top of the stairs and most disappointing was being unable to sleep due to the noise most nights. Breakfast - buffet, reasonable selection, mediocre coffee from a machine was disappointing. Restaurant - well appointed and lovely terrace overlooking the sea BUT the service was poor, very slow, the food was underwhelming for the price and often menu options were not available. Isolated location - Alcamo has very few facilities and the surrounding area has a chaotic road layout with the railway running through the centre of the narrow streets, not pleasant for pedestrians and heavily littered with rubbish. On the stretch of beachfront were two beach cafes which were good. EXPENSIVE TAXIS - without a car, you could feel trapped! We tried different taxi companies and via the hotel but all taxis were extortionately priced. A taxi 4.5km to the next town, Castellammare del Golfo, we were charged 50euro return. The hotel's vagueness about the cost of airport transfers was explained when we were charged 90euros each way.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : Location and views
  : Breakfast could be improved

Fair
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : the location close to the beach
  : the property is not a four star. poor rooms very basic breakfast equally poor

Pleasant
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple

Very Poor
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : The view to the sea.
  : The hotel is old and not kept. The rooms look really old, paint peeling, holes on the walls and doors, scratches everywhere; isolation in the windows damaged, balcony doors barely closing. Bathroom was very old, shower was peeled on the floor - at first glance looked like it was dirty. The bar lounge was very small, as was the whole hotel. the swimming pool is covered in shade half of the day and therefore the water is extremely cold all the time. It was hard to find someone at the bar to get some drinks. while at the swimming pool. The beach, even though it is private, was not kept and therefore was extremely dirty. There was a lot of natural waste - bambu canes - which made it hard to walk around without hurting your feet, but the worst was all the plastic waste mixed in the sand and in the bambu waste. Nothing looked at alllike the pictures in booking. The breakfast was very poor in variety and in quality. There was a paper at each room that said it was forbidden to bring food or drinks from outside of the hotel and the excuse was for hygiene and sanity reasons - that is just a no go when traveling with children, as they dont eat only the meals, they need in between snacks - which the hotel didnt have available. Plus the water was non drinkable, but there was no sign or warning about it anywhere - which becomes even worse if you cant buy water outside of the hotel! Lastly the restaurant food is extremely expensive - the coperto (which is a fee you pay for the initial bread and so on and kind of like a forced tip) is 2,5 per person and we didnt always get any bread on the table. There was no kids menu! Then I complained at reception that I couldnt feed my kid on the restaurant and they were indeed very kind and actually showed me a printed copy of a kids menu.

Very Good
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : Hotel was located at the beach, had umbrellas and chairs. Hotel had pool. Breakfast was very good by Italian standards - eggs and bacon, croissants, different cheeses and local cured sausage. Nutella and breakfast cereals etc. Room was small for one queen bed and two single beds (one single bed was actually sofa converted to bed).
  : Hotel restaurant was quite pricey. Beach had trash which is unfortunately too common in Sicily. Both Waze and google maps could not correctly find way to hotel for some reason. Coffee from Nestle machine was average. Rooms had drying racks outside but ours was smashed.

Very Good
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : The location is a little remote and it was not crowded in April, so we had plenty of peace and quiet. I found out that the crew of Ocean's 12 rented the entire hotel when they filmed some scenes in Scopello and they have pictures and autographs on the walls.
  : Breakfast was basic, but the menu for lunch and dinner in the restaurant was quite good.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple

Very Good
Traveller Type:
  : Location is amazing!! Room is clean. Not the most comfortable bed/pillows. Clean beach! Clean water. Nice pool! Private mostly. Off the beaten path, don't expect city life. Very safe!! Sicily is very safe, low crime. Everyone we met was friendly, warm, communicative, except hotel staff. We traveled near the end of season to avoid over crowding and the weather/beach was perfect in beginning September! We wanted to relax on a gorgeous beach and sightsee, not be overwhelmed by heat or tourism. Goal accomplished.
  : Front desk staff was rude and unaccomdating. No warmth. We asked to be part of an excursion, and they didn't follow up. We did this sight seeing without the travel agency/staff help. It ended up less expensive and more fun to plan ourselves. Find a taxi driver you trust or rent a car, because you cannot easily get to sight seeing destinations from the property. Segesta is totally worth it. So are the boating trips from Castellammare. Breakfast at the hotel is great and free, so fill up. Skip their dinner restaurant!!! Overpriced and meh. They do NOT allow outside food or drink, which is very strange to me. This would be ok if the food/wine selections were better, offered kindly, and available all day. Probably because I am American and our nicest hotels allow food/drink, even when they have a restaurant. The nearby markets have basic toiletries, delicious(!!) foods, wine, beer and are walking distance and very accommodating. I was traveling with my friend, our husbands aren't really travelers so we go together. We never felt unsafe walking or sight seeing. We did feel disappointed by front desk/concierge, that was our only real gripe. Bring your own hair conditioner and lotion, they do not include as a provided toiletry.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children