Astro Suite Hotel

The hotel’s distinctive, asymmetrical towers stand out along the coast running east from Cefalu town, and though the property modern from the outside, the atmosphere inside is laid-back and rustic. The lobby is eclectic and set with furniture from a variety of decades, with comfortable couches and chairs arranged beneath pictures of the Sicilian coast. The grounds are simple and mostly well-kept (aside from some leaves on the bottom of the pool), and even if some views from the hotel’s rooftop terrace look out onto a slightly unkempt lot next door, a quick turn puts Cefalu’s iconic La Rocca mountain and the sea within view. Though there is a small bar on-site, this is by no means a party hotel, and the casual pool terrace, sparsely furnished rooftop, and beach are the only places guests might gather outside of the nautically themed breakfast room. The atmosphere at this hotel is ideal for tourists, including couples and families.

When visitors come to Sicily armed with a picture of compact old towns, tiled roofs, sparkling seas, and rugged landscapes, they’re thinking of Cefalu. This hotel is located just outside of the charming old town, and walks to the center take only five minutes. Cefalu is packed with excellent trattorias and cafes, including La Brace, a wildly popular and quaint restaurant that serves traditional and inventive dishes and is only a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Walks to the base of Cefalu’s iconic La Rocca take 10 minutes as well, and a 30- to 40-minute hike to the top leads to excellent views of the surrounding landscape and Tyrrhenian Sea. There are plenty of beaches within driving distance of the hotel but the private beach means that there’s no reason to travel for a swim. There are no airports in Cefalu, and driving to the Palermo Airport take one hour and 15 minutes.

These spacious and bright suites look right at home across from the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, with beechwood and blue color schemes that give the rooms a charming, breezy atmosphere. Rooms have a modern streamlined quality, from blue-tiled floors to complementary drapes to the clean lines of the simple, contemporary furniture. There’s little in the way of wall art, and the coastal seascape prints above the beds feel almost like an afterthought from a design perspective. Padded headboards add a soft element to the separate bedrooms, while comfortable beds have striped comforters and built-in nightstands. All suites have electric safes, flat-screen TVs, desks, plenty of storage, individually controlled air-conditioning, and separate living areas with kitchenettes that include electric ranges, microwaves, refrigerators, and sinks as well as a sofa bed and a small dining area. Every suite has a terrace, though views of the sea and/or mountains do vary. Bathrooms are immaculately clean, though on the small side, with blue mosaic-tiled floors, white-and-blue tiled walls, retro vanities, generic toiletries, and walk-in showers.

Many hotels located within walking distance of quaint, historic towns across Europe don’t typically offer a wide range of features, but Astro Suite Hotel is a welcome exception—most notably for its private beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas just across the road from the hotel. There is also a terrace with small outdoor pool and a separate, enclosed hot tub for guests who want to get wet without sand, and it’s a lovely place to unwind with a glass of wine or coffee while taking in views of La Rocca and the sea. The hotel serves a good breakfast buffet that is free with every booking and includes pastries, meats, and cheeses, though there is no on-site restaurant for lunch or dinner. An on-site fitness center is clean and small, though a complete offering of weight and cardio machines ensures a full workout. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, there is a computer for guest usage in the lobby, and cribs are available without charge for guests with small children while laundry services can also be arranged and small pets are allowed. Many guests rave about the service, and friendly staff members add to the hotel’s inviting atmosphere.