Hotel la Playa Blanca

This is not a package holiday destination however if you want traditional Sicily and are prepared to hire a car like we did it’s magical. The breakfast was ample and fresh coffee was made each day for us. The pool was cleaned and the area spotless. The rooms are a bit run down and the balconies close together but the atmosphere of relaxation and rustic are in abundance. There is a fridge in the room and the room is cleaned daily. We learnt from previous reviews and brought a travel kettle and supplies so we didn’t eat in the hotel although this was an option. We had the place to ourselves nearly. It’s a good walk to any restaurants or shop but with a car it was easy to get to the supermarket for supplies and to explore the neighbouring villages and get to the train station. The water is crystals clear but rocky so sea shoes are needed. There was no rubbish anywhere that we saw. Everywhere does shut for siesta so it forces you to relax. Staff were friendly and we got by with little Italian although I learnt the basics before we came out. My tip - hire a car, get supplies but enjoy the rustic charm this place had to offer.

Is the hotel a 4* hotel - no. Did I expect it to be for the price I paid - no. Lovely location right by the coast. We stayed here from 3rd - 9th October and used it as a base. I would agree you need a hire car and we made use of the train frequently to travel to Cefalu which is an amazing town. Found owners and staff polite and breakfast was adequate. The room was clean and as advertised with a sea view. If you're looking for a inexpensive base in north Sicily to explore from its ideal the train to Cefalu / Palermo made life so easy.

The hotel is in a lovely location right on the sea front. Unfortunately the hotel is not 4 star as advertised. There was no tea and coffee making facilities in the room. You will struggle to get a hot cup of coffee in the morning and they often run out of milk. The breakfast was very poor with hardly any food and often no bread and little choice. Within walking distance to the town although is up some steep steps. They do offer lifts up the town but €25 each time. Train station is also in walking distance. Some staff very unfriendly and unhelpful. A lot of the facilities don't exist any more and are.still being advertised. Lunch and dinner options very limited with no menu and no prices as it just gets added to your room. Room clean and good Aircon and fridge. We didn't pay much and didn't expect much but not as advertised. A car is almost a must so you can get.out and about. San Stefano Di Camastra is a great wee town with lots of lovely restaurants. Sunset at the hotel is beautiful. At the end of the day we still enjoyed our holiday but had to put more effort into it to make it enjoyable.

Myself and a friend stayed at the hotel expecting a 4 star hotel with all the amenities as listed on the website and trip advisor, however this was not the case on arrival. After a horrendously steep walk from the train station to the hotel we where able to check in ok but on arrival to the room it was very basic but thankfully clean. Unfortunately the toilet door was broken and didn’t close, the temperature of the water in the shower varied, the wifi didn’t work half the time, there was gaps in the panelling of the front door leading to the outside, the lights flickered and at times the air conditioning didn’t turn work. Breakfast was very basic and no matter what time you arrived they was never a lot of food provided and our first day there was nothing left. The provided 2 types of cereal however didn’t provide milk or bowls. Based of conversations with other guests at the hotel, the evening meal was a huge disappointment. A 3 course meal was offered however no menu and some evenings they either got a course to share or else only 2 courses despite having to pay for 3. They also ran out of towels when asked which was very frustrating despite not providing clean towels or bed linen unless asked. It appeared to be a family run hotel where staff where out sunbathing and on the beach most of the day rather than present when needed. Staff has very limited to no English which made communication very difficult for most of the guests who didn’t have Italian as a first language. Prices where made up as they went along and in the small shop on site only cash was accepted. If you required a lift to the train or the village which was a 5 minute drive, staff charged €20-€25 in cash only. The positives, it was in a stunning location which a pebble beach area easily accessible and lots of sun loungers around the pool for guests. If you want a very basic stay and like a hike up to the local village for restaurants then this is the place for you. I would say if staying in this hotel you would need to hire a car as the location is far from anywhere and staff charge a lot for transfers for such a short journey. It is also far from both airports. Overall this hotel had a lot of potential but was very run down and staff weren’t always helpful. Images shown of the hotel are very outdated and half of this complex no longer exists. I wouldn’t stay here again and I think the 4 star rating really needs to be reviewed as the hotel is far from this.

The room was clean and the reception staff were friendly however that’s where the positives end. The hotel is advertised as a four star but that is not the experience we had while staying. The hotel clearly has had areas removed that are advertised in the photos, there was only one pool available while I believe it is advertised as having two. The private beach is small and had broken glass bottles on it. The outside shower area needs a clean. There is no swim up bar. The snack bar / shop has a poor selection and does not take card but you can pay at the reception however staff made up prices as they went along as we got charged different prices on different days. The room was very basic, the bed was probably the most uncomfortable bed I have every slept on (however there was air conditioning). The bathroom door would not fully shut and the hangers in the wardrobe were broken. We had to ask for fresh towels after four days, and they had ran out of clean towels and only had one spare so we had to wait. The wifi would stop working at times, however was free. The breakfast was poor, only some croissants, stale bread, some cold meats. There was one type of cereal however there was never any bowls and only on 1/2 days there was fresh fruit. I can not comment on the dinner as we did not dine at the restaurant (others staying told us it wasn’t great so we went into the village). We were under the impression there was two restaurants however only seen one. There was activities such as tennis advertised and table tennis although this was nowhere to be seen. The hotel is at the end of a hill so you need a car, we had no car and walked down from the village at night after dinner and we would not recommend as the road is not we lit and didn’t feel overly safe (hotel offers lifts but these can be expensive). You can walk to the train station (around 20 mins), however in the heat with the hills some may find it difficult. Overall the hotel is very different than advertised and I believe some of it may have been closed down or removed. As mentioned before the staff were friendly however often spent time smoking and sitting around the pool. The hotel has so much potential given its views but the services and overall standard let it down. I will not be returning.

This was the worst stay so far in my life. The incompetency of the hotel receptionists and waiters in the restaurant is distressing and upsetting. The room was far from modernity, the toilet paper was locked in a plastic box (like in a public toilets) I regret I didn't take a picture. There's no privacy between the balconies, you can see your neighbours from your bed. The restaurant didn't had a menu and the waiters didn't speak English well, nobody new the prices of nothing and of course they insisted on charging everything to the room. I can't describe how uncomfortable we felt every day. It seems as the whole family is working in the hotel and they all sit by the pool and watch the guests all day long...