만자스 이메라 리조트

Plus: great pool and plenty of sun loungers. Minus: beach is industrial, food cold most of the time, snacks at 4pm left over croissants from breakfasts. Only fruit served was melon and tinned fruits. Overall: you feel like you have been on an episode of Catfish on MTV! We won’t be returning

We stayed at Mangia's Himera Resort in late August for a week, travelling with a 7-year-old child. The hotel caters mostly to French tourists, and it shows in staff fluency, guest treatment and overall atmosphere. Nothing wrong with it, but good to know beforehand. After endless 5* reviews I was curious. We travel often, and the Himera seemed a good choice, especially since we rented a car. Cefalù and Castelbuono are within 20–30 minutes. Castelbuono in particular is worth the visit: castle, Fiasconaro panettone, and good food. Now, the hotel. I’ll give it a solid 4/5, though mid-week I was ready to give less. Positives: Spotless cleaning. Giovanna from housekeeping was fantastic, our room always fresh and immaculate. Cleaning staff were consistently friendly and polite, more so than some restaurant staff. Reception was welcoming, animators energetic, even if a bit shy when facing non-French/Italian guests. Pool area clean and pleasant, with activities and a relaxed vibe. Comfortable rooms, great sleep, good Wi-Fi, air con worked perfectly. Outdoor meals are a plus, gardens are well kept, public toilets spotless. Beach exceeded expectations: clean, clear warm water, free kayaks/paddleboards, plenty of sunbeds and shade. Lifeguard very kind. Animation team makes an effort with evening shows – simple but appreciated given the isolated location. Negatives / room for improvement: Restaurant staff inconsistent. Senior staff polite, some younger waiters disengaged – a smile or greeting goes a long way. Food is not 5*. There’s variety (fish, meat, fruit, pasta daily), but overall disappointing. At €500+/night, it should be better. Twice we ate out at KM196 and in nearby villages despite the all-inclusive. Towel charge (€5) feels unnecessary at this price point. Overall: Himera is clean, well-maintained and good for disconnecting, thanks to its remote location. Prices are high, but booking early helps. Rent a car if you want to experience Sicily beyond the excursions. Thanks to the management and staff who made us feel welcome. Grazie mille!

Whilst everything is generally fine, the food is almost inedible. We ended up going out to restaurants. Luckily we had a rental car.