A Memorable Summer Vacation in Sicily: Our Stay at VOI Arenella Resort
Planning Our Trip to Sicily
or our family vacation in this year, we decided to visit the beautiful island of Sicily, Italy. To keep things budget-friendly, we booked our flights with Wizz Air in advance, securing a great deal at approximately €50 per person. For accommodations, we opted for the "pay later" option when reserving our hotel. This gave us flexibility in case our plans changed, but in the end, we were able to go as planned.
Choosing the Right Resort
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When selecting a place to stay, we debated between VOI Arenella Resort and VOI Baia di Tindari Resort, both part of the same hotel chain. Since we were traveling with my parents and needed two rooms, we couldn’t find availability at Baia di Tindari, so we booked VOI Arenella Resort instead. It turned out to be a great choice!
Arrival & Check-In Experience
Our flight arrived early in the morning, meaning we got to the resort well before the usual check-in time (3-4 PM in Italy). Fortunately, the resort provided changing rooms, allowing us to freshen up and head straight for the pool while waiting for our rooms. They also had a luggage storage area near the reception, which was quite convenient.
The Resort
Ready for our holidays
Resort Overview & Amenities
VOI Arenella Resort is a large property with different areas designed for relaxation and entertainment. Some key highlights include:
- Spacious pools for both adults and children.
- A stunning private beach, accessible via a resort train.
- Daily animation activities for kids and adults.
- Multiple dining options offering a variety of pasta, fish, and meat dishes.
Dining Experience
The food at the resort was decent for the price we paid. While there was a wide selection, the restaurant often felt crowded and rushed, especially during peak meal times.
Entertainment for Kids
For Doen, our 4-year-old, the resort had very active animation programs, especially at night. The highlight was the hotel’s giraffe mascot, which all the kids adored! However, a small downside was that the animation was in Italian, making it difficult for Doen to understand. While it wasn’t as extensive as the animation programs in Antalya resorts, it was still enjoyable.
Beach & Transportation
One of the best parts of the resort was its beautiful private beach, which guests could reach via a train ride. The beach also had daily activities like games and aquagym. However, there were a few things to keep in mind:
- The train ride could get quite dusty.
- During peak hours (lunchtime & closing time), there was a long wait for the train.
Additional Services & Excursions
The resort also provided a shuttle transfer to Syracuse at a minimal cost, making it easy to explore the city. Additionally, families with young children could rent a stroller, but a small tip: use the word “passeggino” when requesting one! I learned this the hard way when I “paid” for a stroller, thinking they understood me, only to find out I had actually paid for an extra bus seat instead! (Lesson learned with a laugh!).
One afternoon, we took advantage of the shuttle service to visit Syracuse. The city was breathtaking but quite hot, and when our little one got tired, we had to carry her in our arms—so a stroller would have been a lifesaver.
To explore more of the region, we decided to rent an electric car from the hotel for around €80 per day. This allowed us to visit two stunning Sicilian towns: Noto and Ragusa.
Exploring Noto
Noto is famous for its stunning Baroque architecture, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake. Walking down Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the town’s main street, we admired:
- Noto Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Nicolò di Mira) – a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque.
- Palazzo Ducezio – home to beautiful neoclassical frescoes.
- Palazzo Nicolaci – known for its intricately carved balconies.
As the sun set, the town glowed in golden hues, making it a magical experience.
Visit to Ragusa
Our journey continued to Ragusa, another UNESCO-listed Baroque town. However, since we arrived around lunchtime, the town felt almost deserted, with many restaurants closed. It was as if we had stepped into a ghost town! Despite this, walking through its quiet, picturesque streets was a unique experience.
Renting the electric car was definitely a great idea, allowing us to explore more of Sicily’s rich history and landscapes.
Room Selection: A Lesson Learned
One mistake we made was booking a Classic Room, which is part of the resort’s older, unrenovated section. If you’re planning to stay here, we highly recommend choosing a Superior Room, as they are newer and more modern. Additionally, superior rooms offer reserved sunbeds in the first three rows at the beach.
Transfer & Transportation Costs
Flights: Wizz Air, booked in advance, €50 per person.
Airport Transfer to the resort: Private transfer options start at €50-70 one way, depending on the number of passengers.
Local Transportation:
- Resort shuttle to Syracuse: Minimal fee.
- Stroller rental: Available, but specify “passeggino.”
- Electric car rental: €80 per day, great for exploring.
- Resort train to the beach: Included in the stay.
Overall, our stay at VOI Arenella Resort was a great summer escape! While there were a few minor drawbacks—like the crowded dining experience, dusty train rides, and older room selection—the beautiful beach, family-friendly atmosphere, and engaging activities made it a wonderful holiday destination. Would we return? Yes, but next time, we’d definitely book a Superior Room!
Have you visited Sicily? Share your experiences in the comments below!
BICA FAMILY
Hi, we are Bica family! We are Eneida, Dolsin, our almost 5-year-old Doen, our little one Ian who is 3-months old and our golden Shadow. As a blogger family we love to share our stories, experiences, and trips with the world! From fashion to parenthood, parenting to travel, we have a wide range of experiences that we love sharing with our online friends. We strive to bring our followers unique content that is both informative and entertaining.
