La Bussola Hotel — Hotel in Milazzo

Such a horrible experience — was here for a wedding, and when I walked into my room it was immediately clear that there had been a fire/accident in this room. The room smelled strongly of fire smoke, and was damaged (see photos). I mentioned to one of the other wedding guests, who told me that he was originally assigned to this room and asked to be moved because of the same issues I encountered. They moved him, and reallocated the room to me. After arguing with the front desk for 30 minutes, the concierge asked to come up to verify that it smelled like smoke (multiple Italian-speaking guests were with me, and all agreed that it smelled strongly of smoke) — he did not agree, but after additional back and forth agreed to move me rooms. I was assigned a smaller room with a smaller bed — which I agreed to because I couldn’t sleep in a room that smelled like smoke and was visibly damaged — and it wasn’t made clear to me that they would not be refunding me the difference in price between the rooms.

When I checked out two days later and asked about it, the front desk staff told me it was impossible because I hadn’t asked them for a refund the previous day.

Really horrible customer service - room 124 is not a room that ANY guest should stay in. Hotel staff refuses to own up to their mistakes and is unwilling to make things right. The front desk staff told me that if I was unhappy I could leave a bad review.

Also beware that you get significantly better treatment if you’re an Italian native/speak the language that if you are foreign.

EDIT: to the hotel's response -- saying that asking for a price adjustment is "extortion" is hilarious and speaks volumes about how they treat guests. I slept two nights in the new room (not three) and at checkout, asked what they could do to make it right. They said that if I had asked the previous day, they would have helped me, but that it was too late, and that I could leave a bad review if I wanted to. For context, I was a bridesmaid in a wedding, and was gone for the full day on both days (leaving at 10 AM and returning at 2AM, so not sure when I would have had time...

Website misleads you into thinking the place has character, charm, and facilities you'd expect in a hotel at the price - it has none of these things. Arrived 8.00pm after 4 hour flight from Ireland and 2 hour transfer from Catania, looking forward to a nice meal and a few drinks. Greeted by a male who, although friendly enough, was a little creepy; restaurant and bar were in darkness and the place was eerily quiet. Given no information as to where to go to get some food but fortunately our taxi driver had recommended somewhere close by. Rooms were advertised as being in nice colours (I forget the exact wording) - ours was beige and bare. On returning from dinner down the road, mine host (manager or owner?) suggested going up to the roof terrace. We ordered 2 glasses of wine (the red was bad, the white ok) and enjoyed some time on the terrace. Breakfast started with mine host just standing in the middle of the room giving no guidance. Do we get our own food and coffee or does someone serve us? In the end we were served coffee. The hot food consisted of cold, anaemic-looking scrambled eggs which were downright nasty. A member of staff said she would reheat them - big red flag. Don't reheat eggs. There were a handful of slices of ham and cheese which we consumed, hoping they weren't as dangerous as the eggs. A truly dreadful breakfast. Wi-fi didn't work. Mine host said he would look into it but he never did. At checkout we were charged 24 euros for the two glasses of wine the previous evening, and four euros were added on to the cost of the room price quoted on the original booking. I didn't realize this until I received the receipt via email after we had left. Don't stay here unless you fancy Bates' Motel. It was a poor start to our first proper vacation in 20 years....

After a sailing accident landed my father in the hospital in Milazzo, I had to find a hotel to stay in and chose La Bussola Hotel. I ended up spending a total of 11 nights here, so became very acquainted with the hotel and area. From the moment I checked in, I was so impressed with the excellent customer service I received from the hotel staff. Simona went above and beyond to make me feel as comfortable as possible, providing recommendations, extending my stay as needed, etc. I don’t speak Italian, and everyone was great with speaking english. The location is absolutely ideal, located right across from the harbor and within a 5-10 minute walk to many wonderful restaurants and shops. The room was very comfortable and clean and had everything I needed. The included buffet breakfasts in the morning were delicious and as soon as they saw me they brought me my coffee without my even having to ask and would then bring my car up right away. This was a very stressful time under the circumstances, and I feel grateful to have found this place to stay with these kind, helpful people, while managing everything with my dad in the hospital. I can’t recommend this hotel enough. A+ all...