Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort and Spa

"Was just what we needed to cover from an operation and house move! Pools were clean but very cold and entertainers gave their all to get us involved! The lobby pianist was excellent and much enjoyed bu all of us who gathered every night to hear him and savour a drink. The bars were great, food was varied but they generally offered the same sort of fayre each day. Biggest downers were difficulties in booking a la carte meals, limited range of gluten free food - it wasn't to the standard of other foods and noise in the canteen was very loud owing to the open plan nature of the space."

"3 night stay, in this pleasant hotel. Large lobby bar and reception that leads onto a pleasant elevated terrace. Our room was spacious and clean and well maintained, it had a sea and pool view but the gardens beyond the pool tend to obscure the sea view as did a large palm tree right outside our balcony. Perhaps a higher room would have been better for views. Several nice pool areas a bit “us and them” re the “signature level” guest but that also seemed to end that first night as well. We used the pool rather than the beach which was very pleasant. Lots of sun loungers. They have 3 a la carte carte restaurants which we were informed at booking had to be reserved in advance. On arrival we attempted to book one but they were all full and we where put on a wait list. We were told it was the last night of the season for one anyway! We did manage the steak restaurant which was pleasant, my stake was very mediocre ( off the normal menu) my husbands which had a supplement of about 25 to 30 euros was much better. Despite it being all inclusive we ordered a bottle of wine which we were charged for. Think the AI was only for wine by the glass. The next night the Thai restaurant was pleasant, the food average. The last night we had to go to the buffet, it was truly awful. Very definitely not a 5 star experience. The first time we went down it was so loud we left and went back an hour later, but it was very bright and open and a bit like a school canteen. Strangely in the morning for breakfast it had been ok. Heaven knows what it’s like in high season. When it came to a main course I struggled to find anything I wanted, my husband had the paella but it was so salty he couldn’t eat it. The pizza looked nice but although there was a pizza oven it was being kept warm under heated lights and had gone cold. I know this because a fellow guest having picked a slice up touched it, said it was cold and put it back with her fingers onto the serving plate! I found a member of staff who got the chief to warm me up 3 slices of pizza in the oven. It tasted great but that was my 5 * dining experience. Also because it was now almost 9.30pm all the staff were really busy cleaning empty tables I assume ready for breakfast as very few guests were arriving, while our plates went uncleared and we we left wanting to order a drink. Generally the staff were very nice, and helpful. There didn’t appear to be anything other than the hotel and one other hotel in the area, certainly not walkable. Cefalu is the poach town and worth a visit on the hotel shuttle bus. Not one I would come back to."

"We loved every bit and will definitely be back. Food was good, rooms clean, loved the music and the bars though I don't drink made me non alcoholic drinks. Staff at reception and concierge were very helpful and polite "