Отзыв. Review.

We were in this hotel in June 2010. I will try to write only the facts, without personal comments and emotions.
The village of Mondelo is located very close to Palermo (20 min by bus). The village is small, the promenade and eateries, restaurants along the sea. Nothing more.
Mondello Palace Hotel. Resting mainly Italians. Although we (Russians), in our first week, 9 people arrived, and the next week there were already 20 of us. The hotel is very small, only 88 rooms. The hotel area is actually not very big either. Half of the territory is occupied by a private mini-golf course. There is a pool on site, but no slide. Around the pool can hardly accommodate 20 sun loungers. Therefore, sometimes there were not enough places. Beach towels are issued at the reception or brought by a pool worker. Towels, sunbeds and umbrellas for free. The pool is clean, does not smell of bleach, the caretaker takes water samples every hour. There is a bar in the lobby and a restaurant, parking. The conference hall is probably of little interest to tourists. Green lizards run all over the hotel, very cute. I would not call the hotel "shabby". Every year they make cosmetic repairs. Not very high-quality plastered walls did not bother us at all. Everything is clean. Yes, the hotel is not new. But a decent view is maintained. The hotel staff speaks only Italian, but the reception can speak English. There is a safe at the reception and it is free.

Rooms. We had a fairly spacious room with two beds. The small TV showed only Italian channels. Satellite TV is available on the upper floors. Air conditioning, central, worked well, without failures. Very spacious balcony with table and chairs. There is a clothes dryer. The furniture is generally not modern, 2 large wardrobes with hangers, a table, an easy chair. In the bathroom: a bathtub, a toilet bowl, a bed, a huge mirror over the sink, a complete set of towels, gels, hats, a hairdryer, etc. Bed linen and towels were changed every day. Yes, the faucets are not modern (we had such in Soviet times), but everything worked well and, again, we were not embarrassed. The room has a mini bar. It's a small refrigerator with a chain opener. The price tag, of course, bites. Beer and cola (0.33) for 3 euros per bottle (in the store 3 euros per pack).
Sea and beach. The sea is close, across the road. It is not dangerous to cross it. The Italians always concede, even if you cross not on the transition. The beach and sea are sandy. The sand is fine and pleasant. Entry into the sea is gradual. For children and those who can not swim expanse. The beach is quite narrow. Moreover, a large strip is occupied by private fenced areas. These are either sun loungers and umbrellas (8-10 euros), or booths-houses, which the owners rent to the residents of Palermo for changing rooms and storing beach accessories. And only a strip of the beach near the water (3 meters) remains in “free access”. On the weekend on the beach, indeed, there is nowhere for an apple to fall. You literally walk over your head. I have never met such a huge number of people even in Anapa. It seems that all the inhabitants of Palermo came here to sunbathe and swim. And, of course, dirt, debris, both on the sand and in the sea. Less on weekdays. Therefore, for the weekend we left Mondelo for excursions or to Palermo. The hotel declares its private beach with sunbeds and umbrellas. So this year they failed to rent or buy the beach. Therefore, they bought a limited number of sunbeds from someone and issue tickets in the morning for access to the beach. At 10 am (after breakfast) these tickets no longer exist. Therefore, we lay on the beach near the water on towels. Like this. Don't trust travel companies. There is no private beach! So the hotel is not for a beach holiday!
Restaurant. We had breakfast and dinner. European breakfast buffet. Of course, every day is the same: scrambled eggs, ham, cheese, pastries, three types of cereal, milk, jams, fruits (strawberries, apples, bananas, fruit salad), boiled eggs, water, juices, tea, coffee. But everything is very fresh and tasty. So nothing got boring. Dinners - customized menu. Menu in Italian and English. Consists of: 1. Starter (three courses) 2. Main course (three courses) and 3. Dessert (three courses to choose from). From each group you order one thing. Drinks for extra charge. Wine with a very high margin. A bottle of dry red wine Corde (0.37 l) costs 13 euros. In the store, the same wine, but 0.7 l, costs only 6 euros. Service at the highest level: waiters in tailcoats, serving - silver, serving dishes - a whole process. And everything is very, very beautiful and delicious.
Host and excursions. Don't trust travel companies! On excursions to the Mondello Palace Hotel, the bus does not stop !!!!!!!!!!!! ! All excursions only from the hotel "Citta del Mare"!!!!!!!!! ! And to him on his own by taxi. Caught on this themselves. I had to group with my own and take an individual excursion (Erice and Sigesta) or take a taxi to "Chitta" (60 euros for a taxi one way).

Etna and Taormina. The cost is 60 euros per person up to a height of 1900 m. To the summit and active craters (3000 m), if desired, by cable car and jeeps for another 51 euros. But it's worth it! Warm jackets and shoes can be rented for 2-3 euros. Not as scary and dirty as other reviews describe.
Erice and Sigesta. We had an individual tour for 9 people, they brought us directly from the Mondello hotel and to the hotel. It cost us 66 euros per person. (From "Chitta" 30 euros). Erice is an insanely beautiful city!
We went to Cefalu on our own by train from Palermo. Worth a trip for sure!!!!!
We traveled by bus in Montreal. This town is very close to Palermo. There is a regular shuttle bus. 3000 sq. m. in the cathedral struck very strongly!!!! ! Lovely small and cozy town.
A visit to the Aeolian Islands is also a must. From "Chita" excursion costs 72 euros. On the island of Lipari, you should definitely take an additional excursion around the island by bus. It costs 10 euros, but 1.5 hours of the beauties of the entire island are worth it.
SUMMARY is mine. The hotel is not for beach and sightseeing holidays. It is well suited for those who want to travel around the island on their own, sunbathe and swim in the places that they meet on their way and not be dependent on excursions.