Hotel la Tavernetta

Due to unforeseen matters, a couple, for whom I made reservations, is unable to attend our family gathering in September. I understand the cancellation policy of this hotel, but thought certainly the hotel would find reasonable my offer to have them keep my 2-night deposit (660 euros) in exchange for only one night of our 4-night reservation. (Effectively paying 2x rate for one night). Bear in mind, we are 4 weeks out from this event. The hotel surprisingly found my offer unreasonable and has kept my ~$730 deposit in exchange for nothing. And then oddly, they threatened 'legal action' if I put out a negative public review. Buyer beware - not very customer friendly.

The La Tavernetta is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. With breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve this creates a feeling of relaxation and excitement. The staff is incredibly caring and will do anything and everything to make sure you are having a good time. At times it is challenging to communicate with the staff but for the most part they find a way to understand you. If you ever have a problem with a translation issue, Vito is one of the managers who works at the hotel and speaks very good english. He would be more than happy to help you. He is always running around but he spends most of his time managing the bar. The food is delicious and their head chef Antonio has studied and worked in Dubai and Japan. I had the pleasure of meeting him after telling the waiter how much I enjoyed my meal. Antonio doesnt speak English but Vito stepped in and translated my compliments to the chef. The restaurant is open for Breakfast and Dinner. All the food is fresh and prepared on the same day. The location of the hotel is in a great place for people who just want to chill by the pool and unwind. Also it is close to many beautiful beaches, especially the famous Tonnara di Scopello which used to be an old tuna factory that is now converted into an event venue. Another beach that I really enjoyed was Cala Mazzo di Sciacca. Also if you're someone who likes to hike you can go to the Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve and it has countless private beaches that you can enjoy. If you get tired of just relaxing all day you can travel to Palermo which is about an hour and a half away by car. Also the La Tavernetta is close to San Vito Lo Capo, a beautiful sandy beach town and Marsala which is famous for its sweet wines and salt fields. There are so many beautiful places to travel and see in Sicily but the small town of Scopello is truly one of a kind and why it is always busy during the summer months. If you have the chance to ever go to Sicily you will not regret staying at the La Tavernetta.

Having been visiting this family run hotel for 9 years after finding it by pure luck, I can honestly say it is getting better and better with each visit. The location, the small resort with the amazingly located pool and pool bar, the atmosphere, and the caring, and hard working family and staff make what is an already great retreat, even better.

This is a lovely hotel. The garden is beautiful and well maintained. Great pool and bar and breakfast was excellent. We ate at the hotel restaurant a couple of nights and the food was excellent and good value. Also friendly and extremely good service.

Beautiful location with spectacular view. Very nice people running the place. Restaurant is superb, also with very charming people. Garden and swimming pool are really nice places to relax. Pop stars turned up for a wedding as we were leaving so obviously the place to be!

PROS: -STUNNING grounds + pool area with incredible sea views -hotel is walking distance to The Tonnara and a few other great beaches, 10 minute drive to a great beach club -lunch and bar service available all day -rooms are very quiet -dinner on site was good -lots of communal space to relax CONS: -rooms are close together and we had a room that had a balcony (which we paid extra for) but the balcony was next to the main entrance of the hotel and therefore had no privacy -window in the room didn't open -room itself was a bit dated -front desk staff not super helpful with info on local attractions (eg: we asked specifically if the tonnara offered food, they told us no, not even water -- we arrived and there is a full cafe and bar inside)