Small Luxury Hotels of the World - Villa Neri Resort & Spa

Struttura molto bella che peró comincia a risentire il peso degli anni. Necessita ormai di lavori di manutenzione e ammodernamento (passamano della spa in acciaio arrugginiti, alcune lampade in camera non funzionanti, doccia -enorme nella nostra stanza- con acqua solo bollente...). Rimane comunque un hotel validissimo, ottima ed abbondantissima colazione, bella la zona piscina, verde curatissimo e tanto altro. Ma non è sicuramente all' altezza di un 5*L: al nostro arrivo nessuno per il ritiro bagagli, pulizia della camera un po' sommaria, spazi intorno alla piscina disponibili per eventi esterni (un matrimonio ci ha impedito di riposare fino alle 3 del mattino fra musica, schiamazzi e successivo riordino). Un buon 4 stelle, tutto sommato. Ci torneremmo?

This hotel is really beautiful. The drive up to the hotel is like driving up to a country house in the Lake District. The hotel grounds are immaculate and very pretty. Etna can be seen from the hotel as well as views of the surrounding hills and countryside. On entry to the hotel it feels very high end, the decor is stunning and the staff on arrival were welcoming and friendly. We definitely got the feeling that nothing was too much trouble during our stay. We were informed that use of the spa throughout our stay was complimentary which was a nice touch. Upon arrival we were asked if we wanted to make a reservation in the restaurant to which we agreed, however after seeing what was on offer we quickly changed our minds. There are two tasting menus available 120-150 euro per person. None of the food listed appealed to us and there was no way we were prepared to pay that price every night. Luckily we had hired a car which was much needed whilst staying at villa Neri. Sadly there is very little available in the surrounding area so in order to find nice places to eat you have to be prepared to travel. Normally this would not be an issue however it is a long way down the mountain every evening around hair pin bends and no street lighting!!! It was such a shame that the hotel didn’t offer a half board option or even a menu offering steaks or fish. We did actually eat in the restaurant on the last night as we just couldn’t face driving yet again. There was an option to choose dishes off the tasting menu separately. I chose a spaghetti dish which I was disappointed in as it was very expensive and very small. On the positive side the wine was lovely and the service amazing. The breakfast at the hotel was one of the best hotel breakfasts we have had. There was nothing that wasn’t available, everything you could possibly want was on offer and to a very high standard! The juice was so good as was the carrot cake!!! Our room was very spacious, the bed very comfortable and the cleanliness was of a very high standard. We had a couple of treatments in the spa during our stay, the price was reasonable for a spa but the facial I had was a little disappointing. All in all we enjoyed staying at Villa Nerri however we would not return due to the remote location and more importantly the lack of food options in the restaurant in the evenings. We would have loved to have eaten in the restaurant every night if only there had been some more affordable options. Thank you to all staff at the hotel who were all very welcoming and professional. If absolute peace, tranquility and luxury is what you are after then this could be the place for you but car hire is a must!!

Truly luxurious stay in the junior suite. Fabulously comfortable bed and large en suite bathroom with bespoke double sink and enormous bath with jakuzzi option. Option of rainfall or waterfall shower was interesting but water wasn’t contained to the shower area and oozed into the bathroom area. There was also an interesting full sized window from the bath/ shower area to the bedroom! Breakfast was included and exceptional: fresh fruit, fresh bread every day and everything you could possibly imagine on offer. Beautiful well maintained gardens, expansive seated areas outside with large clean salt pool. Spa facilities and optional treatments were available too. A car was necessary, I would say as there is no public transport nearby.

Beautiful location and due to how rural it is it was pretty peaceful. The hotel is beautiful and very nicely finished. Our room (classic) had its own courtyard with chairs, table and sunbed. Perfect to look out for little (harmless) lizards darting about! The food in the restaurant is absolutely divine and service was fantastic (thanks Salvatore and Ettore). Breakfast is buffet with pastries etc with fresh coffee made to order (grazie mille Elisa) with cereal and "English Breakfast" hot food also available. Of course the view of Etna and surrounding area is pretty unbeatable but it is a rural location with only the spa (spa pool, steam room and treatments available) and outdoor pool (the coldest pool I've ever swum in!), so I do not particularly recommend it to those with young children as there is nothing really to occupy them. Car rental is advisable but please be prepared for the Sicilian way of driving - scooters will filter on both sides of you and mountain roads are very bendy! Would definitely visit again

Excellent stay all around. Food at dinner and breakfast was delicious, service impeccable. I needed an iron and it was delivered in 1 minute. Rooms a bit quirky with unnecessary features such as a glass view of the shower and bath from the bedroom. But food and service overrode this. Also it is beautiful.

We arrived on the morning around 830am and met with a staff at front desk which was totally uninterested in us We had forgotten to confirm an Etna tour but nobody cared. It was our mistake fair enough but service would require to at least try to find a solution We called directly ourselves the tour company and luckily enough two people had cancelled so we could make it. We went for a great tour from 10 am to 5pm Upon our return we discovered the room It was, no offense for disabled people, a specially designed room for wheelchair. This means that the bathroom was with a much higher toilet than classical, a much lower sink and a special shower … Needless to say that with higher than normal toilet, you cannot properly do what you have to do on a normal toilet… We asked to change room and received a charming NO ! We asked if they could upgrade us given the situation and we were told this is normal as Italian authority ask for one disabled room So no toilet tonight and back pain for shaving and teeth cleaning and shrunk shower zone … Will never come back Spread the word

The hotel has a beautiful spa with wet and dry steam, massages, a large indoor bath with jets to massage sore muscles and a large outdoor pool. Rooms are luxurious but somewhat strange. We had a large and very luxurious room but the lighting was inadequate. Our shower had two heads and a waterfall coming out of the wall. It was almost large enough to double as a squash court, while our friends had a shower that might have been on a medium size sailboat--no doubt the result of converting a lovely old private villa into a hotel. Food was quite good, however service was spotty and a bit confused.

I came to Villa Neri with my dad and we had an amazing time! Once we arrived they immediately upgraded both of our rooms which started the trip off on a spatial note. We had dinner at the restaurant twice and were blown away by the flavors and attention to detail. The hotel has gorgeous grounds and on a clear morning you have a spectacular view of Etna. The only downside we’re the mattresses which weren't that comfortable, the doors to both of our rooms didn’t close easily so we would have to slam them shut and lastly the wifi was almost non existent. I understand that we were on vacation to be away from our phones but with a hotel at that stature I would at least hope to use the wifi to check in with family back home. That aside I would 100% go back to Villa Neri! The staff was incredibly kind and generous with their time.

Great hotel to base ourselves for a visit to the region. Great service. Food excellent. Nice pool and gardens, with views of Etna. Close to town with good restaurants. Tour to Mt Etna piked us up from hotel. Short drive to Taormina for a day visit. They also booked us a great wine tasting and lunch at a local winery. Rooms well appointed. Quiet surroundings. Overall a perfect experience, thanks.