Sicily - hotel reservation, Erice Mare

Hotel Baia dei Mulini, Erice Mare

This hotel in Erice Mare is set on the hillside of the Venere mountains with views over the Mediterranean and the Egadi islands. Renovated in 2002, this Sicily hotel's distinctive blue and white design gives a sense of its proximity to the sea. 94 modern rooms contain all modern conveniences including minibar, internet connection and private safe. Suites feature sofas and complimentary bathrobes and slippers.

The hotel is just a short distance from the charming mountain town of Erice. The views across the coastline are amazing - on a clear day you can even make out the faint outline of the Tunisian coast. The town itself is a maze of narrow passageways and hidden piazzas. At the top end of town is the Norman Castello, an ivy-covered stone castle with buttresses, ramparts and elegantly-tiled turrets. The castle sits on top of the foundations of an ancient temple dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love, the stones of which are built into the castle walls. After a few hours wandering the streets, you can relax over a slice of pizza or a beer in Piazza Umberto.

This Erice Mare hotel is paradise for lovers of outdoor pursuits - as well as two swimming pools, guests can take advantage of tennis courts, a mini golf course, a football pitch, and windsurf and canoe hire. There is a large hotel restaurant which prepares freshly-caught fish with couscous and other regional specialities every night. You can eat in the air-conditioned salon or beneath wide parasols on the terrace overlooking the sea - this hotel in Sicily really gives you a flavour of the island's eclectic and culturally diverse roots.

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Double room from €90