B&B Dolce Casa — Hotel in Syracuse

Our family of 4 booked 2 double rooms in this B&B in January 2017 for a 2-night stay which we had to cut to one night due to a change of plans. More on that further down which is the reason for our 2 stars. The management doesn't accept credit cards. Our initial impression was overall positive despite the bad dirt road leading to the place. The grounds are well-kept, clean and ordered. We were greeted at the gate by signora Luisa, the hostess who showed us to our rooms and explained how things were done and what to see in Siracusa. She also recommended 2 restaurants one of which was Sicilia in tavola which we actually tried & disliked. It turned out to be a tourist rip-off with small over-priced portions of mediocre cooking, so we don't recommend it in case she advises you to go there.||The rooms are full of light, spacious and spotlessly clean; each had an en suite fully equipped bathroom. The problem is the heating. We returned in the evening to cold rooms. Turning on the AC was problematic and finally it didn't work + it made noise. We ended up sleeping in our clothes. Our children had done the same in the room next-door.||Breakfast consists of goo home-baked cakes & jams, fresh-squeezed orange juice, tea/coffee, fruit, yoghurt, etc. It was good.||During the first evening we received information from home which constrained us to cut our stay to one night only. We were in town & out of courtesy called signora Luisa to give her notice. It was her daughter who happened to reply. She demanded pay for the 2nd night too and turned hostile. We concluded that we'd speak to signora Luisa as this woman had no notion of hospitality. Signora Luisa called us herself a few minutes later for the sole purpose to shout at my husband in a way that we could all hear what she was saying. She didn't even ask about the reasons for us having to leave early; just went on & on about how my husband was dishonest, taking advantage of her, how we should leave with our heads low, etc. Her tone was unacceptable, ugly and absurd for her role of hostess, and showed her lack of respect for guests and her sole interest in pocketing the money. We would have left right away but it was too late.||In the morning she didn't show up thankfully; it was her husband - a calm, mild man who welcomed us and saw us off warmly, in a normal manner.||Because of the offensive & disproportionate attitude and reaction of S-ra Luisa, we will not return to this place & don't recommend it. Siracusa abounds in...

As part of our driving holiday around Sicily, my wife and I spent 3 nights in Syracuse.||Rather than stay within the city, we opted instead for the Dolce Casa - a B&B located roughly 3 km from the bridge onto the island of Ortigia, the historic centre of Syracuse.||This B&B is a magnificent family home situated in the middle of farmland, about a 10 minute drive from Ortigia.||The place was spotlessly clean and situated in a secure walled-in garden which, like the house itself, was beautifully maintained. It made for a very relaxing atmosphere.||The bedroom was a reasonable size and very comfortable. It also had a small balcony where you could hang some laundry.||An outstanding continental breakfast was included in the daily rate.||The owner was always available in the morning to answer questions or provide advice.||Each day the staff came in to tidy up our room. ||We couldn't have asked for better service.||||Footnote: ||(1) As an earlier reviewer has mentioned, this B&B might not be suitable for someone who didn't have a car. It would be a good 20-25 minute walk to the main road and I don't recall seeing many buses on it.||||(2) It took us approximately 50 minutes to drive from the B&B to the airport...

Dolce Casa was delightful, but at present because of road works at the Via Lido Sacramento and Via Elorino junction you may have difficulty locating it. If your GPS has led you to this junction, proceed South on Via Elorina and take the first road on the left which will leed you onto Traversa Carrozziere. The GPS can now direct you to your destination. As you approach the B & B, you will see Dolce Casa direction signs. - turn off the GPS and follow these signs.|| Having just spent a week in Sicily, I would strongly recommend that you find all of your accomodation before nightfall sets in. Also if you are picking up a rental car at an Airport towards evening time, think about staying the night near the Airport, and collecting the car the next morning. Sicillian roads are not good, especially at night. Also think about returning your Rental car during day lite hours. This way a vehicle inspection can be done and your "bond" returned to you before you leave. Remember that once you leave the country you will have no comeback, and communication is near impossible. ||I hope this has been helpful - have...