Published date: May 27, 2025
Italy, Sicily: A Wonderful Stay with HafH Even Here!
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
My first time in Sicily was in Syracuse. Since it is a city of historical and cultural heritage, I wanted to stay in a beautiful and historic place for a good price… So, I took a chance and searched for HafH. I was a bit worried if my reservation went through properly… so I found the accommodation's email address online and directly contacted them to confirm the reservation and added breakfast since it was a room-only booking. I also inquired about the arrival time and parking arrangements. All necessary communications were done via email. Whether in emails or conversations, English was understood.
What I learned: I strongly recommend looking for accommodations using HafH when traveling! There are surprisingly many facilities available in various locations.
Experiences during the trip
Set in a stylishly renovated 18th-century building, this place was a perfect match for my hopes (a couple, with kitchen and washing machine). Ortigia, an entire island recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is charming with pedestrian-friendly alleyways. You can walk around the island in under an hour. The accommodation was located on such an alley where cars are prohibited.
We were shown to a superior apartment situated right near the front desk on the first floor. As you enter, there’s a dining area and a sunlit terrace on the upper level. The lower level features a bedroom and a bathroom (it has windows since it faces outside). Shampoo, conditioner, and body soap were provided, and there were small bottles of body lotion available. It appears to also function as a cinema museum, with a small theater that isn't in use now but features displays of old films and projectors, adding a nice touch to the place. Time flows leisurely within the establishment, and returning from outside feels comforting. You must pass by the front desk which is always staffed with friendly voices greeting you.
We stayed for four days, but my companion fell ill and ended up mostly resting, so the kitchen became very useful. The terrace was also a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the gentle breeze. By the way, there’s a laundromat about a three-minute walk away (cash only). There are pharmacies and supermarkets about five minutes on foot, and the front desk marked a map to clearly guide us.
Although the trip turned out to be a bit different from typical sightseeing, it felt like living here, allowing us glimpses of local places that residents frequent, which was enjoyable in its own way.
The alleys were so beautiful that I took tons of photos. Whenever I travel, I always visit local markets, and here I found a laid-back Italian atmosphere that was enjoyable and charming!