Quartara Resort Hotel

Quartara Resort Hotel, a Michelin Key Selected property on the charming island of Panarea, Italy, is widely acclaimed for its intimate ambiance, breathtaking views, and exceptional hospitality. This boutique hotel offers a luxurious retreat in the heart of the Aeolian Islands.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Quartara Resort Hotel consistently receives "Superb" ratings from guests, with scores of 9.2 out of 10 on platforms like Booking.com and HotelsCombined, based on numerous reviews. The general consensus highlights a deeply positive experience, with guests frequently praising the excellent service, delightful breakfast, and pristine cleanliness. It is celebrated as a tranquil and luxurious property, ideal for relaxation and unwinding. The hotel was also recognized as the "Best in Sicily" in the hospitality sector in 2018.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Quartara Resort Hotel for several outstanding aspects:

• Service & Hospitality: The management and staff are frequently described as excellent, caring, friendly, and attentive, creating an atmosphere where guests feel uniquely valued.
• Location & Views: Situated just a few hundred meters from Panarea's port, the hotel boasts a panoramic position with spectacular sea views and vistas of the iconic Faraglioni rock formations. It offers the perfect balance of being close to the island's social hub while ensuring maximum tranquility.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel features a refined and authentic Aeolian style, characterized by soft colors, fragrant Mediterranean flora, and natural greenery. The use of artisanal teak wood furniture, lava-stone floors from Caltagirone, and hand-decorated tiles from Santo Stefano di Camastra adds to its distinctive charm.
• Amenities: Notable amenities include an outdoor freshwater pool, a solarium, and a spa area featuring a sea-view Jacuzzi, perfect for unwinding. The hotel's multiple terraces provide exclusive spaces for guests to admire stunning sunrises and starry nights. Other facilities include a bar, the Broccia restaurant, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a library, concierge services, room service, and airport transfers. The hotel also facilitates activities such as diving, snorkeling, trekking, and boat excursions.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Quartara Resort Hotel are designed to offer a refined, authentic, elegant, and intimate environment. Each of the 14 rooms is uniquely furnished with high-quality artisan pieces, ensuring a welcoming and bright atmosphere. They incorporate high standards of comfort, energy-saving solutions, and typical Aeolian architecture and design. Amenities in the air-conditioned rooms include private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, mini-bars, and free WiFi. Many rooms also feature balconies or patios with garden or sea views, and some are equipped with pillowtop beds and Egyptian cotton sheets for enhanced comfort. Bathrooms are well-appointed with bidets, showers, hair dryers, and complimentary toiletries.

4. Dining Experience

The on-site Broccia restaurant, led by Chef Daniela Cappelli, offers a "sensory journey" through traditional Sicilian cuisine, celebrated for its vibrant flavors and refined presentation. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily, typically from 8 AM to 11 AM, often enjoyed on the panoramic terrace with sea views. Guests consistently rave about the fresh, delicious, and high-quality breakfast, which includes fresh fruit and homemade items. Gluten-free options are also available. In addition to the main restaurant, the hotel features a lounge bar and a snack bar/deli.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Quartara Resort Hotel receives unanimous praise. Guests frequently highlight the staff's exceptional friendliness, attentiveness, and genuine care. Many feel that the staff, including specific mentions of Maria Pia, Maurizio, Daniele, and Angela, go above and beyond to make each guest feel uniquely important. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, late check-out options, wake-up calls, and concierge services, along with babysitting upon request.

6. Location & Accessibility

Quartara Resort Hotel is strategically located in the heart of Panarea, just a few hundred meters from the port and the village center, allowing for easy access to the island's social life, shops, and attractions like the Church of San Pietro. Despite its central position, it remains sufficiently removed from the hustle and bustle to ensure a peaceful stay. Panarea is the smallest and one of the oldest of the Aeolian Islands, known for its crystal-clear waters and wild nature. Access to Panarea typically involves a private transfer to Milazzo port, followed by a ferry or hydrofoil to Panarea, and then a short hotel shuttle or a 350-meter walk from the island's port. As expected on an island, no parking is available at the hotel.

7. Value & Pricing

Rates for Quartara Resort Hotel can start from approximately €258 per night or range from $125 to $581 for a standard room. Weekly prices can be around £1439 per person. While the hotel is generally highly rated for its overall experience, some guests have noted that the price can be considered high, particularly concerning the perceived size and amenities of the rooms. However, the hotel's value for money is still rated a respectable 8.2 out of 10 on Booking.com, suggesting that for many, the exceptional service, location, and ambiance justify the cost.

8. Common Complaints

The primary recurring criticism found in guest feedback pertains to the perception of value, with some guests feeling that the pricing was somewhat high relative to the room size and specific amenities provided. Beyond this, no other significant or frequent complaints were identified, indicating a generally high level of guest satisfaction.

Sources

1. hotels-sicily.net
2. booking.com
3. booking.com
4. hotelscombined.com
5. thehotelguru.com
6. quartarahotel.com
7. petitfute.com
8. iliostravel.com
9. lasiciliadiulisse.it
10. hotelswithsuites.com
11. michelin.com
12. kayak.com
13. travelweekly.com
14. luxuryescapes.com
15. expedia.com