Hotel Ipanema

Great location, very old-fashioned decor and a bit drab. Breakfast wasn’t the best but all in all the rooms are okay and it’s very easy walk to the cable cart

The private beach club was closed because is not the season, but the location is superb and every room is with the little balcony. Didn’t get the best one but is worth the price.

酒店很乾凈，老闆是德國人很熱情。早餐很到位、游泳池一般

Hotel in need of updating. Very 'rustic' feel. Staff helpful & nice. The hotel was clean. The bedroom also. Bedsheets/ towels changed every other day. Change of towels available every day if you want. Bathroom small. To have a shower or bath means having to squeeze past the loo or the basin to climb into the bath cubicle, which has worn-out sliding doors. Tiny to shower in, I kept banging my elbows. There is plenty of hot water, though. The air conditioning system is great. Hotel situated in a busy area just off a main road. No pavements to walk down to the few bars & shops & it's dangerous in places - in my opinion. The fridge in the room broke down & wasn't replaced til I insisted 2 days later. Staff said the remaining fridges are being removed altogether. * This is not ideal for travellers who need to keep medicines cool* The area of Ipanema Hotel is in Mazzero - not in Taormina. Ok, for reaching the pebbly beach, but to actually visit Taormina, you'll need the cable car at €10 for a minute return trip or a walk up to Taormina via a steep staircase of 300 steps. We felt a bit trapped there. There are bus stops by the cable car that open directly onto the busy road. The hotel food was very basic. Silver service in the evening, which seemed totally unnecessary. No fresh fruit at breakfast or dinner. Breakfast fruit was usually prunes or sliced pineapple from tins! Dinner dessert was 'fruit salad' ( if you count 2 types of hard melon & sliced kiwi as a 'fruit salad') on offer every evening, along with creme caramel. There was a different cake on offer each evening. The starters weren't too bad, with a choice. We usually had the pasta. All in all, it is not good value for money in an outdated hotel. We won't return.

I have to start by saying that we were a party of 3. My good lady and myself in our 70's and a close friend in his 80's. Our Holiday was booked back in March of '24 for Sep '24. At the last minute just before we left the Travel Agent called us to say that they had no room for our 80year old friend at that he has to go elswhere. As we had no time to rebook or anything he was moved to a Hotel 2.5km away from us. We were devastated that they could treat an old man this way. They claim there is a bus every 15 mins from this hotel to us but he tried to catch one many times but they would never stop for him. In the end he caught a taxi for 20 Euro's either way daily. We ere there for 7 days. That aside, the Hotel Ipanema was the worst I have stayed in in 70 years. It was built in 1982 and it looks and feels like it has had nothing done to it since. Maintenance was nil. I have attached a few pictures showing the dated old decor and seriously rusty balcony, old pelmet falling down, door shutter broken and peeling varnish, radio didn't work, the bathroom light switch was hidden behind a door which was found by the receptionist after a search. Breakfast on the first day was a nightmare. We had a very limited cold meat and cheese offer to select from. My good lady and I seated at a 2 seater and had a little breakfast. We were approached by a waiter who said "Tomorrow you will NOT sit here, you will seat at the big tables with other people!" I was furious and as I like to eat in peace with my wife and will NOT be told to sit at a table with others. We left the dining room NEVER to return, we ate out from then on. MARIA, the receptionist for most of our stay was excellent, i cannot say the same for the rest. The other problem was no tea/coffee in the room. Infact they said you cannot heat water in the rooms. Instead, if you want a cup of coffee or tea, you have it with your meal from a machine. If you want it outside of these times you will need to buy a cup. We went down the very dangerous road to a different Hotel for breakfast and coffee etc. The road has NO pavements and is seriously narrow. You take your lives in your hands walking there. WWE WILL NOT BE STAYING THERE AGAIN AND ADVISE EVERYONE TO STEER CLEAR.

The Hotel Ipanema is a little dated, but in a way that added to the charm of a lovely week away. Rooms are well sized and kept thoroughly clean and well serviced. Lots of cupboard and drawer space and it was nice to have a proper room safe with a key and a mini fridge was nice to chill wine. All rooms face the same way which gives every balcony a side sea-view. Obviously, the higher floors (4th) have the better views. Christine on reception was fantastic in offering help and advice on local tourist questions and in sorting out a quite room for us (as per my pre-arrival request). We travelled with Jet2Holidays who are always exceptional with their communications and transfer arrangements on the day. We stayed on the half board option. Breakfast was a little limited in range compared to bigger hotels, but there were enough options for us to eat well before of day out. Typically I had bread, rolls, ham, boiled eggs, yoghurt, and fruit each day. Evening meals offered a choice of 4 starters (including salad, pasta, risotto, or soup); 3 main courses; and 4 desserts (2 cakes, fruit salad, and crème caramel). Service was quick and attentive every evening with food served at your table brought to you on serving dishes on tea trolley. A special mention for Vincenzo who looked after us so well. We did not use the roof top pool because the sea was so inviting at Isola Bella. Mario in the bar (who also served in the restaurant) was great entertainment. There is also a nice secluded outside area to sit and lounge or to have your pre-dinner drink or post-dinner coffee. Tourist tips: The local roads do not have pavements but the traffic is respectful of pedestrians and we felt totally safe walking the 40 mins to the centre of Letojanni and 1hr 20 mins to Giardini Naxas for two different days out (just walk towards oncoming traffic). We walked up into central Taormina twice, and used the cable car once (6 Euros) and bus once (1.90 Euros). Walking down from town is much easier but take care on the uneven steps. Great days out to Etna (excursion) and Castelmola (the ride by local bus was entertaining and the views spectacular). The Amphitheatre is a must to see and the local public gardens are worth a stroll. Best value local bars / cafes (Al Paladini – Café - Bellcafé Italia near Isola Bella zebra crossing) and Capriccio (in central Taormina). Finally, shop around – central Taormina itself is very expensive so eat and drink where the locals do.

Clean room and bathroom. Staff very friendly apart from Restaurant Manager who was surly unless you were a group of ladies. Christine in reception very helpful. Very dated decor, our room had no drawers. Limited electric sockets, could be upgraded with USB ports. Weak wifi. Dinner service very traditional and dated as well. Silver service from flats and tureens. Large portions of starters, main courses meat/fish, one veg and potatoes reminded us of school dinners. Really need to change their service to plated.feels like no one has ever questioned why they are doing the same thing they did in the 80s. Roof top pool needs renovating, tiles broken, shower area needs a refurb.

I have just got back from a week staying at this hotel. First of all, I need to mention two people; Christina and Mario. Christina is based on reception and is so very helpful and knowledgeable and cannot do enough for you. Mario works in the restaurant and the bar and is hysterical, a brilliant bar man and really good company so thank you to you both. We had a gorgeous sea view from our balcony and was very good location for the beaches and getting into town via the cable car. The breakfast was good but nothing hot available. Really struggled with the dinner, found everything really bland and overcooked. The actual rooms were very clean, as was the whole hotel, but very all very out of date. Overall was a good hotel but definitely not a 4 star.