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The
Grand Hotel Ortigia, originally built in 1905, with an interior that
was ripped apart and radically upgraded in 1995, is the best and
most appealing hotel in Syracuse, with a mix of modernity and old-world
charm that's very appealing. It's set directly on the waterfront, near
Ortygia's main access bridge to the Italian "mainland," in a stately
four-story building containing lots of inlaid marble and polished Belle
Epoque hardwoods. The vaulted cellar contains a bar with comfortable
sofas and a collection of remnants -- some museum-quality -- unearthed
from this site during long-ago excavations. Guest rooms are contemporary
and comfortable, with color schemes of beige and champagne. In some of
the suites, duplex setups include interior staircases of polished steel.
Units boast state-of-the-art bathrooms with shower-tub combinations. The
in-house restaurant, La Terrazza, is separately recommended below. The
bus station lies only 100m (328 ft.) away. |
