Hotel Riva Del Sole

Because of the small size of this property (only 13 rooms), it has a very intimate and homey feel. This also means that there is great attention to detail and guests enjoy personal interaction with the management (which sometimes means plotting of the day's adventures with the help of the owner or a cold glass of Prosecco). The three-story white stucco building is fronted by potted plants, and the common spaces are airy, with a decidedly Mediterranean feel -- clean white walls juxtaposed with the occasional splash of color. There are also North African influences, seen in the interesting tile work and pointed arches in the hallways. Because there is little car traffic in the vicinity of the hotel, even the street-side rooms tend to be fairly quiet (though there is some in-hotel noise at times).

The close proximity to the center of the town of San Vito del Capo makes this hotel ideal for those wishing to explore the pubs, markets, and restaurants in the area. It's also only a short walk to the beach, which helps give it an edge over some of the other hotels in the area. This central location also makes it a good choice for business travelers and a great starting point for visitors who also wish to venture out to some of the more well known area attractions like Zingaro Nature Reserve, Tonnara del Secco and Macari Beach.

Rooms are a bit basic, and most show some influences from Northern Africa in the intricate tile work and fabrics. The decorative schemes can sometimes seem a little eclectic (clashing patterns, tiles in colors that don't match the furniture, plastic chairs but wooden bed frames) but they're bright and clean. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, and mini-fridges. A couple rooms face the chimney of another nearby hotel's restaurant (which can lead to strong food and smoke odors) and a few of the rooms are noisier than others due to internal hotel noise. The best rooms seem to be on the second or third floor with large balconies and a combination of city and sea views.

Bathrooms are clean and although there is no bathtub, each sports a spacious shower with a handheld showerhead and a bidet.

During the high season (June through September) guests of the hotel get two sun loungers and an umbrella reserved on the nearby San Vito lo Capo beach as a part of their stay (meaning no fighting for a spot on the sand). The delicious daily breakfast buffet is also part of the rate and includes authentic Sicilian cakes and pastries. Free newspapers are available and there is a reading room and a TV in the common areas. Though there is no on-site restaurant (also missing are a spa or fitness center), there is a breakfast room which doubles as the bar (and is the popular site of Prosecco offerings)!