Hotel Mercure Siracusa Prometeo

In a city of boutique hotels that occupy restored Baroque buildings, the modern Hotel Mercure Siracusa Prometeo stands out. Glass is used to add a sense of light and space throughout, with a partial-glass roof in the rooftop restaurant and huge windows in the rooms. On the rooftop, a pool has a smart wooden deck and views over the city. Inside, the red-themed lobby almost has large pillars and porthole-style windows that feel almost ship-like, an impression only amplified by the retro-inspired furniture. Business travelers are drawn to the clean and modern rooms, practical and central location (away from the largely pedestrianized tourist hub of Ortigia), and meeting rooms. The hotel is also popular with groups (its size means that it’s one of the few hotels that can accommodate larger bookings) and tourist couples looking for a modern base. For a chain hotel, the Mercure does well, but some leisure travelers may feel like they’re missing out on fully immersing themselves in this charming historic city by opting for a modern could-be-anywhere hotel.

The Mercure fronts a main road that runs alongside the Archaeological Park Neapolis. The park holds Syracuse’s greatest concentration of ruins and is where travelers will find the Greek theater, Roman amphitheater, and vast man-made chamber known as Dionysius's Ear. Most of these sights are within a five-minute walk. It’s also a five-minute walk to the Paolo Orsi Museum and the San Giovanni Catacombs. The hotel’s immediate area is largely residential, with a local athletics track, gas station, and supermarket. Aside from a coffee shop, there aren’t any dining options within easy walking distance. Ortigia -- home to Duomo di Siracusa, the spring of Fonte Aretusa, Castello Maniace, and charming winding alleyways with beautiful Baroque buildings -- is a 10-minute drive or shuttle bus ride away (there’s a bus stop a minute’s walk from the hotel). The airport in Catania can be reached in a 45 minutes by car.

Rooms have a traditional chain-hotel layout, with a bathroom set off the entry hallway that leads through to the sleeping area. However, there’s more style here than travelers might expect from a chain hotel. Wood-tile floors and large windows add light and a splash of character, and earthy orange accents give it all a warm finish. Standard features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Stylish gray-tiled bathrooms have a walk-in showers with rainfall shower head, plus a heated towel rail and hairdryer. Rooms either look out over nearby hotels, the car park, or the local sports field. Unfortunately, we were only able to photograph the highest room category, the Privilege Rooms -- which come with extras like soft drinks from the minibar, dressing gown and slippers, an espresso machine, and newspapers -- but all rooms have a similar decor and features. Standard Rooms offer the choice of single, twin, or double beds. It’s worth noting that double beds are twins pushed together. Executive Rooms have a whirlpool bath. Five rooms have been adapted for guests with reduced mobility and interconnecting rooms can be arranged. 

The small (unheated) rooftop pool is a highlight, with a smart wooden deck and resin-wicker loungers. Up on the rooftop there’s also the Panoramic Restaurant, which has a Mediterranean menu and is a great spot for a post-exploration glass of wine. Breakfast is served here for a fee and the sweet offerings generate praise from previous guests. Two bars include a cocktail bar and lounge bar. Below ground, there’s a spa -- although there’s a fee for guests to use its facilities and the opening hours are erratic -- and a small, but functional, gym. For business travelers, the hotel has four meeting rooms. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel offers free outdoor parking in its own car park or secure underground parking at a fee.