Sunny holiday but room has no balcony

[tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz]

Total first world problem I know but anyway...

Looking to go to Sicily next year and all the hotels that are almost perfect (Reston the town we want/half board but not buffet food/nice pool etc) all charge the earth for a too with a balcony. If they even offer them.

Now whilst we don't sit out on one much anymore (DD 15 so no need to stay in drinking sitting out there for adult time) I do hang all our wet/damp stuff up to dry overnight. And there always seems to be loads of it plus towels. I do however enjoy having a peaceful glass of wine out there before going out. Or having a quiet coffee in the morning as I'm always up before everyone else.

So - is there an obvious solution I'm missing? DH thinks I'm being a bit nuts insisting on having one.

How can we get all our stuff dry without one?!!!

Again, I'm aware this is very much an indicator of privilege

I wouldn't rent to stay in a hotel without a balcony either. I tend to prefer Villa/apartment anyway, but if I was in a hotel I would definitely want a balcony. I guess you could dry your towels etc in the bathroom but there's no replacement for your own space outside to sit with a drink and look at the view .

I’m with you. Outdoor space makes or breaks a sunny holiday. I agree that what do you do if everyone else wants a leisurely morning and you want to be outside. Having a coffee on the balcony or on a patio means you aren’t so bothered .

I think you might need to look at villas or something or a different town close by. There’s so many places on the market surely you can find a compromise?

Want not rent

I need a balcony too!

Which part of Sicily are you looking at? I would say not to go half board as the restaurants out there are fabulous. You’ll
miss out if eating HB every night.

Balcony rooms are quite scarce in Sicily, you don't see many purpose-built tourist apartment blocks. Hence the premium price for those buildings that do have them! We stayed at the Hotel Villa Sonia in Castelmola and quite a few rooms had balconies - our suite had two! It was very reasonably priced compared to similar hotels down the road in Taormina.

We've also stayed at a few AirBnb's in Sicily, one in had a huge terrace and one had a large roof terrace. Agree with PP in that half-board in Sicily would be a massive waste. If you can lose the idea of half-board maybe a rental would be the best way to get that outdoor space you need?

What location in Sicily? Looks like you've said Reston? I can't see that.

Trick with villas is you often need a car and neither of us wants to drive. Especially not in Italy.

We stayed half board in Sorrento last year exist wise this worked out to be astounding value when we totted up the cost of breakfast and dinner. I'm a lazy cow who will not self cater. I could do the occasional picky lunch from a supermarket at a push but I don't want to have to keep buying bits. I love to pop into a market on holiday to grab water/fruit/wine and crisps buy anything else feels like the same shit different surroundings IYSWIM

I bet they are it's just the cost of every meal. Plus I'm lazy and hate self catering.

Oooh that hotel looks lovely and transfer isn't too awful, I'll look at that in more detail. Thanks. Wow, gorgeous views

It's Taormina we had our ❤️ set on initially

Ok

Maybe we need to reconsider half board and start pricing up.

Thanks all for replies so far x

Sorry that was a typo after a combo of sausage fingers typing after wine

Ahhh jeez typo city

Cost wise, that should say

Yeah the Villa Sonia was beautiful and there is a bus stop right outside where there are regular buses down into Taormina. Castelmola has even better views than Taormina for a fraction of the price. There is a really good restaurant next door plus lots more just up the hill and while we only done bed & breakfast the hotel does offer half board i think!

Sack off the half-board for an apartment or aparthotel with a balcony or terrace. Why would you want to be tied to eating at the same place every evening?

Mmm so their bar closes at 6.30

Are there nice bars close by in the village?

I'm with you on the balcony front. Part of a holiday, to me, is being able to chill out in your own space and enjoy some peace without having to use a lounger by a pool (if you can even get one).

We go to Florida a lot and I'd love to stay on Disney property, but only the super expensive resorts have balconies. The majority of value or mid-range properties are glorified motels at ridiculous prices.

So we rent villas and drive. Overall with the cost of the car and parking we probably pay a similar amount to if we'd stayed on site, but the space (indoor and outdoor) that we get for the same money is well worth it to us.

There are LOTS of bars just up the hill in Castelmola village. Our favourite was Bar Turrusi, it has a few multi-level balconies with great views and also has tables in the square outside. Be warned though it is a penis themed bar 😂 all very tastefully done mind and very interesting!

https://www.theworldofsicily.com/en/sights/sights-of-castelmola/turrisi-bar/

Now you know I just have to go

One last question until the next one , we're taking DD15 who, whilst fairly quiet, happy with her own and our company and a home bird anyway, won't want to be anywhere just surrounded by wrinklies ... I'm wondering if it may be too sleepy a place for her? Especially as we definitely won't be hiring a car but over 11/14 days will definitely do a few day trips if not too much of a faff (Etna and Palermo perhaps).

You'll see all ages there, Taormina in particular is definitely not a sleepy town. 14 days would personally be too much for me there but with a nice pool like they have at the Villa Sonia and with a few excusions you hopefully won't get bored!

Mount Etna is mind-blowing and you can also take the cable-car from Taormina down to the gorgeous beaches at Mazzaro and Isola Bella. Palermo isn't possible as a day trip it's the other side of the island.

11/14 days would be too long for me. There’s loads of other places to see, I would split it in two. What time of year?

I'm a lazy cow who will not self cater. I could do the occasional picky lunch from a supermarket at a push but I don't want to have to keep buying bits. I love to pop into a market on holiday to grab water/fruit/wine and crisps buy anything else feels like the same shit different surroundings IYSWIM

Although we stay in an apartment or villa we don't actually self cater above cereal/fruit/yogurt for breakfast and a selection of bread /cheese/olives etc. just like having the extra space and eating where we choose.

A word of warning: Castelmola is a very scary drive uphill. I wouldn't fancy it in a bus.

Evening @PinkPondQueen

Quick questions as so so close to booking ... can you remember how often the hotels shuttle bus runs to Taormina and how long it takes?

Apparently Etna is only an hour ish away but as explained we won't be getting a car definitely not looking at what the drive up and down to the hotel could be like ---- , I'm guessing for a trip we would need to get one from Taormina?

Thanks and hope you don't mind me @ you.

@tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz just butting in here. Some of the guides will collect you from your hotel at an extra cost. Otherwise yes Taormina for Etna if you don’t have a car. We used a great guide and did a trek from 1800m to 2600m -went in the lava tubes- it was amazing.

Hello! That's helpful, thanks! Really excited to start researching as WE HAVE BOOKED!! Woo hoo!

And I have my balcony