Hotel Marabel

On Sicily’s Ionian coast in Sant'Alessio Siculo — a small family-run beach inn about 20 minutes' drive north of Taormina. Steps from the Ionian Sea, with Letojanni Beach, Isola Bella and the Greek Theatre all within easy reach.

A cozy, intimate property of just 10 rooms spread over three floors, built in 2005 and run with a familiar vibe. Rooms are air-conditioned and feature minibars, private balconies, satellite TV and en-suite showers (some bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and include bidets). Simple, welcoming décor and a compact footprint make it ideal for laid-back Sicily explorers.

Pamper with onsite massages, sip at the bar or grab a morning coffee at the cafe. There’s limited-hour room service, babysitting (surcharge), a tour desk and an area shuttle (surcharge). Onsite parking and free valet parking keep travel easy — wake up to sea-breeze mornings and head straight for the coast.

Express check-in and check-out, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, a 24-hour airport shuttle (surcharge) and complimentary wireless internet to keep you connected.

Onsite coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge for casual drinks. Room service is available during limited hours, and a cluster of local restaurants and pubs nearby serve classic Sicilian flavors for those after authentic regional dining.