Hotel des Etrangers et Miramare
The view over Ortigia’s Porto Grande marina is enough by itself to make the Hotel des Etrangers et Miramare a place to visit. Even if a five-star hotel is beyond your budget, you can still admire the bay and its opulent yachts from the hotel’s roof-terrace bar that also offers a bird’s-eye view across the island’s roofs and bell towers. You may have to pay for the most expensive drink you’re likely to have on the island, but at roughly €6 it’s worth it. Accompanied by enough nibbles to make a meal, it is the ideal place to watch a sunset and sip on a prosecco or cocktail.
The hotel is situated just behind the Fonte Aretusa (Fountain of Arethusa), a freshwater spring whose history goes back to the earliest Greek colonists. According to myth, the spring is an embodiment of the nymph Arethusa. Planted with papyrus and inhabited by ducks, the spring is an important spot during the evening passeggiata, or stroll.
A nineteenth-century Neoclassical building the hotel is elegant with high, stuccoed ceilings, a grand sweeping staircase and wonderful mosaic tiled floors. The staff are friendly and helpful, and its 78 rooms have all mod cons: air conditioning, fridge bar, outside telephone line, safe-deposit box, satellite TV, and some have jacuzzi baths. Prices for a double room start at €89 or €109 for rooms with a sea view. The hotel also runs some rather extraordinary last-minute deals as well as holiday specials, so do check out their website.
Passeggio Adorno 10/12, Siracusa, Italy
Contact tel: +39 0931 319100, fax: +39 0931 319000, e-mail:
Cost standard double room: £100 - £200 per night
Services spa, swimming pool, fitness equipment, near beach, hotel restaurant, hotel bar, room service, business services, internet access
Useful links
Hotel des Etrangers et Miramare website
Added 2008/11/12 @ 12:27:15
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