Contrada Mazzaforno, Cefalu, Italy | (937) 315-4602
Natural setting by a rocky beach, a short drive from Cefalu
Nearby private sandy beach has loungers, umbrellas, and a bar
Free shuttles to beach and downtown Cefalu
Cozy rooms with desks, small flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers
Upgraded rooms have sea-view outdoor spaces and jetted tubs
Outdoor pool with bar and roof terrace with sea views
Garden restaurant serving free breakfast
Tennis court and colorful playground
24-hour front desk and a meeting room
Free parking and Wi-Fi throughout
Isolated, and not directly on the beach
Dated decor and visible wear throughout
Room sizes vary, and some lack balconies and/or natural daylight
No in-room kettles
Beach passes, pool bar, and outdoor dining are summer-only
Pool is unheated and on the small side
Shuttles fill up fast and don't run in evenings
No gym or spa facilities
Baia del Capitano is a dated, mid-range property, located a 14-minute drive from the Sicilian town of Cefalu. An outdoor pool offers daytime relaxation, and a garden restaurant turns romantic in evenings when lawns are lit up, however some features are only available in the summer. Additional bonuses include two nearby beaches, on-site tennis court, a great roof terrace, and free shuttles. The 52 rooms are dated and in need of a refresh, and not all have outdoor spaces, but some have gorgeous views and all come with flat-screen TVs and hairdryers. Interiors are tired-looking, but guests don't tire of the pretty views, plus the free breakfasts are superb. Less remote, the Astro Suite Hotel is a good downtown alternative.
Scene
Countryside hotel with great outdoor spaces and dated interiors
Olive trees and leafy gardens are tranquil here, where a mostly leisure-oriented couples, tour group, and families crowd come for calm and beach proximity. The hotel's archways and turrets overlook expansive lawns, where parasol-shaded wickers are great for al fresco dining, and loungers dotting grounds continue around the outdoor pool. Waters are chilly though, and the pool bar is only open mid-May through mid-October. Interiors are dated and in need of an update, outfitted with blue tile, red-and-mustard-yellow striped armchairs, yellow stained-glass accents, and a hodgepodge of wood furniture. Coming for the outdoors, though, guests don't mind, and a rooftop terrace affords panoramic sea and countryside vistas, although it's sparsely furnished. Live evening music accentuates tradition at the Sicilian restaurant, and food here is good.
Location
Near Cefalu and beaches, with good highway links
The hotel's isolated setting adds to its charm, although not being downtown isn't for everyone, and a vehicle is recommended. The Palermo-Messina A20 highway makes for easy access, and Cefalu is a 14-minute drive. Narrow streets here are packed with authentic restaurants, and red-roofed houses are traditional around the town's bay. Byzantine mosaics at Cefalu Cathedral are a 17-minute drive, as is the Rocca fortress, where climbs afford panoramic vistas. Beach-wise, there's a small, rocky one a two-minute walk from the property, plus a sandy beach with a private section located 10 minutes on foot -- shuttles to it are free. Trains from Palermo run to Cefalu Train Station, a 12-minute drive, and Palermo Airport is just over one hour by car.
Rooms
Comfortable, but dated, rooms -- some with pretty views
Divided between the main hotel and annex units with patios, rooms are dated and have similar furnishings in varying color palettes. Guests can expect warm oranges or pale yellow walls, patterned bedspreads in blue or orange, beige tiled floors, and green or blue wicker furniture. Small floral or generic artwork add some decor, and some rooms have attractive exposed wood ceilings. Entry-level rooms can be dark from small windows, and not all guarantee balconies, but Triple and Quad units are great for groups or families. Upgraded rooms have small furnished balconies or terraces, sea or garden-facing windows, circular seating areas, and jetted tubs. All rooms come with phones, desks, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, and AC, but no tea- and coffee-making facilities are provided. Compact bathrooms in green or blue tiles have small stall showers or shower/tub combos, bidets, towels, toiletries, and hairdryers. Rooms can be fitted with cribs.
Features
Pool with bar, Sicilian restaurant serving free breakfasts, and free shuttles
Unheated and small, but in a sunny spot, the outdoor pool has adjacent loungers, umbrellas, and a bar. The bar serves drinks, light lunches, and ice cream in summer months. A scenic rocky beach is a two-minute walk away, or the hotel has a private section on a sandy beach with a bar, located a 10-minute walk or free shuttle ride away. Note that beach passes are only available in the summer. Restaurant Kefale's pastas and fresh fish dishes are popular, as is summer garden seating on sun-drenched terraces with umbrellas. This is particularly true for dinner, when lit-up outdoor spaces are romantic and diners are serenaded by piano or folk music. Served buffet-style, free breakfasts include cooked, continental, and Italian options.
Free shuttles to Cefalu and the beach fill up fast, and are best reserved in advance. Note that they stop running at night, so evening return journeys require cars or taxis. A tennis court and ping-pong table are available, as is a kid-friendly playground. There are no gym or spa facilities, however. Pets are welcome for a fee. Covered on-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout the property are free.