Hotel Torre Normanna

Very close to the sea, 12 miles away from Palermo. To reach the hotel from Catane airport (located 24 miles away), allow a 45-minute drive.

Located on the heights of Altavilla Milicia, the Torre Normanna offers a great view of the Mediterranean Sea, but its beach is a little remote. Also, you should not fear walking to go to the restaurant or to the pool from your room. In fact, the complex is located on a large sloping field. That being said, the Torre Normanna offers various facilities that will particularly fit families and groups of friends. The hotel is also well located if you want to discover the north coast. A shuttle goes to Palermo once a day and to San Niclo five times a day, from where you can get the train for Cefalu.

The construction of the Torre Normanna dates back to 1973, but it was renovated in 1992. It is composed of a main building of 3 levels and of 9 new two-level blocks spread out a top a hill, in a 50 acres park. Very simple, the reception area is more a of a passageway. You will not really be excited by the grey floor and the white walls that make up an uncluttered decoration. You have to climb up a small slope of a few feet to get to the leisure areas where you can find the pool, the bar and the mini-club. Stretching on 3,200 square feet, the pool is surrounded by a quite large paved solarium that overlooks the sea. Looking quite welcoming thanks to a lawn and small palm trees, it is equipped with deckchairs and sunshades. However it is a pity that the sound effects of the animation are turned at the maximum level. Those seeking calm should go to the beach.

The accommodations are spread in the rooms of the main building or hotel (170 of them) and in those that are located in the structures of the village located behind (the other 300). If you do not want to walk too much, you had better stay in the main building. Even though the rooms offer a balcony, only half of them overlook the sea. The others overlook the hills in the back. As for the decor and amenities, the varnished wooden furniture is simple but the green and red printed fabrics bring a welcomed tonic note to the place. The rooms of the village offer air-conditioning, mini bar and telephone. Those located in the main building are also equipped by a radio. The medium sized bathrooms have showers; the others offer a shower or a bathtub, and a hair-dryer.

Depending on the type of accommodation chosen (main building or village), the restaurant is different. The one in the village is located on a large flagged sundeck with an olive tree in the middle. The plastic tables are protected against the sun by window-shades above them. They seat 8 people. Perfect for a friendly atmosphere, less for privacy. Meals are served buffet-style. The food offered is simple but of good quality: mixed salads, meat and grilled fish, pasta, vegetables au gratin, fruits and pastries for desserts. As for the hotel's restaurant, it is located in a large room decorated with white columns. The round tables, surrounded by velvet chairs, can seat 8 people. Presented as a guest table, the meals are composed of two or three types of starters and main courses.

Even though it has been facilitated as much as possible, the access to the beach remains restrictive. You have to use two elevators that each assure a descent of 260 feet, then pass under the street and the railroad, using a tunnel that opens towards a stairway. And here you are on the beach. The cove stretches on about on a few feet, and is a mix of sand and big pebbles that go down in a slight slope to the sea. You should wear beach sandals if you have sensitive feet. The water being clear, swimming is pleasant and a sufficient number of deckchairs and sunshades are available if you want to relax. As for water sports, you can do sailing, windsurfing and kayak freely.