Club Torre del Barone

Part of a four-hotel complex, this property maintains an aesthetic connection to the 1960s through its slightly institutional-looking, low-lying buildings fashioned of earth-toned stucco that are spread out over a hillside overlooking the sea. Hallways and common areas are large, plain, and outfitted with fluorescent lighting and industrial tiling. Although the hotel has a kids' club, some guests say that Torre del Barone Club offers fewer perks for children than other hotels in the complex, citing in particular the lack of a separate children’s pool.

The property is situated on the southwestern coast of Sicily, about a 10-minute drive from the port town of Sciacca, on a country road far from other commerce. The hotel runs a daytime shuttle both to the nearby sandy beach, and to the town, although a car is recommended for getting around. The Palermo Airport is about an hour and a quarter drive from the hotel.

Walls tiled in natural stone constitute a stand-out aesthetic feature in otherwise plain accommodations; the stone-gray wood laminate and plastic furniture hark aesthetically to the '60s origins of the property, and the overall feel of the rooms, with their gray-blue tile floors, is a bit on the institutional side. Rooms do come with mini-refrigerators, and tube TVs -- no flat-screens. Bathrooms feature a combination tub and shower. Many rooms have sea views from their balconies, which are separated from the neighbors’ by high concrete walls.

There are a handful of water sports options available at the hotel, including windsurfing and sailing. The pool here is large, though there is no separate children's swimming area. Guests can walk over to one of the neighboring hotels and use their pools and facilities too. Many have noted that the grounds could use some updating, and that the on-site entertainment may be intrusive, with loud music in the afternoons and into the evening.