Genoardo Park Hotel - Monreale, Italy 

There's not much around the hotels except typical italian roads (no paths and fast cars). It cost us 60 Euro taxi from the airport too - expensive considering it was only 25-30 minute ride. After arriving quite late at the hotel (about 11 at night) we had a warm reception by the hotel desk staff who politely directed us to our room. The room was extremely clean and as we expected from the hotel photos on the web. Fairly basic but certainly comfortable enough. We had a decent size comfy bed, plenty of storage space and a lovely bathroom. The hotel was fairly quiet while we were there which considering it was July seems a shame. We stayed around the pool for the majority of the time (with about two-three other couples max most days!). The pool area was very well kept with very comfortable loungers and free towels to use provided every day. The pool was obviously not designed for children however there is a jacuzzi section by the steps which wasnt used that much and was great for our daughter (2 years) to use until she was less shy of the water. We ate in the hotel reception two nights and both times were lovely. We tried a risotto the first night and steak the second and both were very tasty. The waiters were also great about us ordering off menu for our daughter (its a fairly adult menu). Both nights we had two courses plus bread and wine for about 55 euro. The restaurant has a lovely view of the terrace and mountains beyond too. Again the waiters were lovely although their English wasnt great but alot better than our italian so what can you say! We visited Palermo one day and probably wouldnt bother again. We were disappointed in that we didnt find any padestrianised areas so you are constantly surrounded by busy roads and noise. This is the case even around the cathedral area so we didnt stay around too long to explore. Would definitly use the hotel as a base to explore the northern western part of the island purely for value for money, well kept grounds and the lovely staff. PS Have not added many of our own photos as the hotels website has many which truly give an honest representation of how lovely the grounds are kept.