B&B Joan's Heritage

“Good cost-effective stay but sleep quality not great”

We booked this B&B well in-advance (in February 2023). The property “read-well”, and the price (€630) suited us too. An excellent location, being within 20 feet of the Porta Messina (an ancient city gate, north-east of the city centre). At this porta a narrow road (Corso Umberto) starts; it wind… more

We booked this B&B well in-advance (in February 2023). The property “read-well”, and the price (€630) suited us too. An excellent location, being within 20 feet of the Porta Messina (an ancient city gate, north-east of the city centre). At this porta a narrow road (Corso Umberto) starts; it winds it’s way for half-a-mile to reach the Porta Catania, south-west of the city centre. The road is used for access only; it is not a through-road; some sections are almost pedestrianised. All shops, bars, eateries and attractions are accessed from this main street and roads leading-off. The entrance to this B&B is on Vico Zecca: a blind-alley on your left as you walk through the porta towards the city centre. There is an intercom; the door is opened remotely on your arrival by the housekeeper. Once you have keys you can come and go as you please. You should however note that the key is turned clockwise when entering, it then takes 3-4 seconds for the powered lock mechanism to work. The rooms were pleasant, but our room had some issues, particularly in the bathroom: black mould around and particularly above the window looked quite ugly. The sink plug-hole strainer was missing from the hand-basin, and there was no sink plug. The shower head seemed to be fixed to the vertical slider bar and also the pitch of shower head seemed to be fixed. This made showering somewhat difficult, as you had to stand directly below the shower head and then stoop. We managed to force the head to a better position for us (not being 5ft tall stick-insects). The wall-mounted hair drier housing was broken and the wiring was clearly visible; the hair drier itself was okay and all secure. We did discover that the bidet plug-hole strainer could be lifted-out and used in the sink (this preventing small accidentally dropped objects from ending-up in the drain trap). The bathroom was otherwise more than sufficient for our needs. It was all clean and smell-free. The towels were changed daily, as was the bedding. The room had an extra resident; it bit me 6 times and my Partner 4 times before I squashed it … F****** mozzies. The bed was comfortable, but the plasticized mattress protector made you sweat in what was a very warm room. We couldn’t leave windows open (mozzies) and also the noise from intoxicated pedestrians late at night and in the very early hours was, at times, excessive. Then, anytime from 05:00 onwards, there were deliveries, rubbish and recycling collections, street cleaning; including waste bin emptying (by banging them). All with vehicle reversing alarms, and noisy diesel trucks. There were also 50cc mopeds buzzing around. All just not conducive to a good-night’s-sleep. The air-conditioning settings could be changed; but all settings made absolutely zero difference to the state of the air-conditioner fans and consequentially the room temperature. The TV had only one English (American) channel which appeared to have only one serial program (a lightweight FBI drama). The TV remote battery cover was broken and the sticky-tape holding it on had lost it’s sticky; so it was loose. There was a small shaded balcony with a table and chairs; we didn’t use it. The housekeeper did a great job; she was very jolly and looked alter us well. Our room were always made-up perfectly and everything was clean and smelt fresh. Breakfast, served by the housekeeper, was a buffet with a good selection of bread for toast, cereals (signs indicated two choices of cereal ‘flakes’ and ‘muesli’) but there were three containers that all had the same flakes including (from the second day) flakes of chocolate … really!? There were cold meats and processed cheese slices. Also available was fresh fruit, preserves, and yogurt etc. The tea was distinctly average, and despite asking for cold milk it was served hot; until the last morning when we elaborated, making the point that we wanted it cold. Other guests were mostly younger folk and we did enjoy chatting with then at breakfast. There was a German couple (speaking perfect English) that we may have enjoyed an extended chat with, but they were off to visit Syracuse, before moving on. Yes .. the problems were mostly minor until, that is, the sixth night when some newly arrived male Gay guests rolled in at well gone midnight. They were total smashed and the feminine partner proceeded to shout at the top of ‘her’ voice. Doors were banged and voices could be heard for the next 15 minutes before they succumbed to their intoxication. This happed the following night as well. The inconsideration for other guests was shocking.

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“In City-centre”

Great location, exactly in city-centre. Our room was cosy, with balcony over looking the main road, exactly in the beginning of the pedestrian area. No reception, but the owner was very approachable and welcoming. She replied to messages instantly. Breakfast was good and an occasion to meet other p… more

Great location, exactly in city-centre. Our room was cosy, with balcony over looking the main road, exactly in the beginning of the pedestrian area. No reception, but the owner was very approachable and welcoming. She replied to messages instantly. Breakfast was good and an occasion to meet other people. No lift in building to go up to the rooms, use only the stairs. Very close to the shuttle bus to Lumbi parking. Close to shops. restaurants and teatro antico. Recommended for couples.

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