Hotel Antares

Large hotel spread over many levels on steep hillside. Beach is about 200 metres away but across busy roads. Two good pools, but food was average. All inclusive is sold hard, but without it there is no easy way to get a drink in the evening. Seemed to be a distinctive shortage of staff. Reception staff were friendly by others quite brusque.

The hotel is in a good location close to the beach. Most of the staff were helpful and friendly (especially Angelo, Stefano and the tall guy in the restaurant), on the arrival got upgraded as our original room was only for 2 people not 3 for some reason but the room was excellent. Large terrace, quiet and plenty of storage and sea views. The positives: the views from all around the hotel especially the walk to the main pool,absolutely breathtaking, the food at dinner was good for all inclusive, most of the staff are lovely, the beach was ok with 2 free sunbeds. Rooms spacious and clean. Negatives: the lifts got no air con and take for ever, we started using the steps next to them on the way down, freezing shower by the pool which no one uses before entering the pool, smoking allowed everywhere, other Italian guests are very rude with jumping the queue, lots of kids running around the restaurant which makes getting safely to your seat is a bit of a challenge, we got used to it but could be irritating for older guests, on few occasions we waited in a queue and an older Italian woman with short bleached hair got between us no excuse me or saying anything and started taking videos of all the dishes! Bizarre behaviour Lol, breakfast is boring every day just horrible bacon and scrambled eggs , would be nice to have something else maybe fried eggs for a change? No one ever had the boiled eggs so why bother. The pool is nice but closes too early, the music is too loud but the reps are lovely and entertaining after few days we started to learn the songs( bomba, bomba ) lol , we loved the fact that you can’t leave the towel s so after lunch you get the chance to get a decent subbed, this is the first hotel which implements no sunbeds hugging. Lack of cutlery in the restaurant and when asked for knife was told finished, learned to go for meals early or it’s hard to get a table,cutlery or a deserts before they get destroyed, the big cakes should be cut into slices by staff as the guests absolutely destroy them by trying to cut with blunt knife. The resort is a bit run down not much to do, Taormina not walkable and not as nice as I thought. All in all we had a nice time,took a local boat trip etc, would not go inclusive again as it’s just not for us and would stay somewhere nearer the main attractions.

Disappointing to say the least :( we was looking forward to this visit, and straight of the bat was let down, the place is so run down and old, definitely need a refurb tried not to let this ruin our stay as we had seen photos and other reviews so was aware just not to this extent. anyway! we was in the main hotel on level 1, map given was very confusing at first, told us the times of food eating hours and where they would be, tell me why every day it took us a 15 minute journey to get from our hotel to the dining hall? we had to go to a completely different building at the top of the mountain for every single meal by the out door life which took forever and was so hot it was unpleasant. there was occasionally food in the same building we was staying but it was manager’s option if it was open or not so you are running around to see if the one closer to you is open to realise it isn’t and have to go the other, (it was open once in 7 days for us). we ate out most days despite paying all inclusive as the food was horrendous most days, the drinks were terrible and you had to do it your self, no service at all but! we got speaking to this family and they said when they arrived the first few days there was service and there was bar men making drinks !! so why did this change? we have no idea but none of the drinks was the “real” brands they said they were, coca cola etc. again pool situation same again 15 minute journey, yes there is 2 pools on each divide of hotel but the side we was on the pool was tiny and full of kids and right next to the kids club so was just full of kids not being watched by there parents. strange one , had to pay 5 euros per day, per person, to use the pools???? this on really confused me !! in all honesty there’s probably much worse i can say but at this point im bored and gutted that this hotel was so rubbish

hotel had nice views and very nice pool but getting up to it was not easy the rooms felt like they needed an upgrade very dated eating in the canteen style restaurant was not for me and the food was lukewarm I was on a group tour hotel so I can see why the hotel was used it had lots of rooms but it's not somewhere I would won't stay again

The hotel is very good but getting there is rather complicated. We were part of a group of 41 OAP's and getting from the coach park to your room is a challenge. First you have to walk through a tunnel then take a lift ( only 4 people with luggage) and only 2 lifts. After that you walk across a terrace and wait for a funicular to get to reception. Our room was no. 3044 which means taking another lift to go 4 floors down. Then to get to the dining room 4 floors up to reception and then another lift 2 floors up. Confusing, isn't it ? The room itself was excellent and even had a kettle. The room is large, well furnished and comfortable with a decent sized terrace and magnificent views. So no complaints about the room and dining room where meals are buffet style. If you have mobility problems ( which some of our group have) then this may not be the ideal place for you. But as I have said it's a lovely hotel.