Villa Athena Resort

Wow! Everything here is 5* and the location so near the path through the temples was perfect. Spacious room, very comfortable bed and wonderful shower. The breakfast was splendid! A buffet of fresh fruit, local breads, hot dishes and even alternative milks. A feast to start your day! Lunch was also very tasty with tabouli and fresh vegetables or eggplant parmigiano for us vegetarians.

The suite was amazing. The Turkish bath/shower was wonderful. The gifted wine was Devine as were the cookies. The pool was mineral we think and was superb. The view was to die for. Outstanding. Service on arrival was fabulous. Luggage transferred to our rooms. The Dyson hairdryer in room was a pleasant surprise. Ortigia bath products are lux. The private entrance made for easy access to the temples. Dinner was wonderful. Turndown service was good. Complimentary croissants at concierge desk was a great touch.

I did have to request dishes to be collected after housekeeping had already been one day. Think aperitifs could be included like other places. No complaints though it was wonderful. Also didn’t like other guests smoking cigars in the pool.

It is the sum of little details that make an outstanding Hotel, for example the preheated towels in the bathroom, the tea & coffee area behind closed doors and my absolute favorite a great Hairdryer. The hotel room is equipped with the newest Dyson hairdryer (I have it at home, it’s amazing, try it). The garden area is stunning, the view from the hotel to the temple Concordia is breathtaking particularly at sunset. The wellness center was a relaxing experience all around. All in all we most likely will come back.

location

reception was very slow and inefficient !The hotel was not full and out of season,but upgrade or room with a better view was denied without any acceptable reason. Online menu prices from the QR code in the room were approximately 10 euros less than what were displayed on the restaurant menu. The hotel called me after departure because they hadn’t correctly unblocked my credit,and needed my credit card details !

A unique, very special location. We had the cheapest room, ‘Classic Room’ overlooking car park. it was lovely and had everything you could need or want. The swimming pool and terrace was pleasant with view of temples. it was great to be able to access archaeological park direct from the grounds.

I had pre paid more than 600 Euros for one night in the Classic Room. this is a lot of money and I had pre booked a while ago. I doubt the hotel was full but on arrival, staff member said our room was not ready and wanted to show us another one with a better view, available at additional charge. When I refused to fall for this we were deposited in a restaurant because our room was ‘not ready’, I felt obliged to order something and a salad was 25 euros. it felt like they were determined that one way or another we must spend more money than we had already. there are a large number of staff here who were all extremely professional, but I didn’t always find them very friendly. good breakfast buffet but again this was charged extra because I had booked via Booking.com.

Property located in the best location. Provided unique experience of the Valley. Walking distance from the hotel to the Valley of the Temples. The walk is through the garden of the property. The hotel property is a direct neighbor of the Valley of the Temples. 5 stars is well deserved. All the little touches of luxury are there: service, escorted walk to the room, lovely welcome gift in the room, soaps, bedding, drinks, snacks available in the common area, tickets to the valley, parking on the premises, and much more

I have no dislikes. Only likes.

I don't think I quite realized how extraordinary Villa Athena was when I booked our room. We upgraded to a room with a temple view, and that view was worth every Euro. The service was impeccable in the hotel and at the restaurant, where the food was superb. To have a private entrance to the Valley was incredible, too. I can only imagine what a stay there will be like when the weather warms up and the pool is in service. The grounds are tasteful and beautifully maintained, and the little touches in the room showed an attention to detail that warrants every one of its five stars!

If you are there to visit the ruins or simply to have a relaxing luxury hotel stay, this is an excellent choice. It is however not walking distance to the town of agrigento. For access to the ruins, fantastic views of the ruins, it is excellent. You should know that because it is outside of the city, you will be eating all your meals on site unless you drive to the city and prices of dining and beverages on site are on the high end. 20€ for cocktails, appetizers in the 18€ range, First in the range of 20-24€, Seconds in the range of 22-26€ anf finally, desserts are 12€ (with the exception of mixed fresh fruit) which is 18€. Breakfast is 25€ and includes a selection of pastries, juices, cheese, fruit etc but also eggs to order, pancakes, French toast etc.

Gracious welcome, I came earlier than check-in and they accommodated me without an issue. Staff was amazing. Professional. Major reason to stay here is access: Easy, direct access to the Valley of Temples. Access was also connected to the museum nearby, but there was construction and this was closed. Ate lunch there—swordfish and the octopus—great chef, extensive wine list, fresh fish. Also goods from their own farm, beautiful setting with the almond blossoms, citrus and olive trees. Real benefit to go in the off-season: better selection of rooms, will have less noise (rooms are close to the pool and the patio, where I can imagine will be busy and disruptive during the summer high season). Direct views of temple are great. Again, European in size so balconies are not as private given close proximity to the others. Must close windows when there are people outside, otherwise when it’s busy, your room is full visible. Rooms are luxurious for the area and region—should not expect George V or Ritz Carlton.

Food and drink prices were very overpriced! No mention of the 15 euro surcharge for room service, in addition to the usual coperta (utensils, etc). Local wines (available for less than 10 euros at the local supermarket down the road, by the way)—cost 12 euros a glass! 20 euros for bellini but drink has more ice and peach juice in it than the alcohol, 37 euros total for the added sides of olives, cheese, and potato chips. That’s just an aperitivo! I think the hidden costs and greatly exaggerated prices will push guests to go to other other fabulous gastronomy options just down the road.

Fabulous staff who went out of their way to help. Very good breakfast. And the location and views were impossible to beat, right next to the Valley of the Temples with a private gate into the archaeological park. A wonderful place to spend Christmas Day and D’s 60th. Room rate was only €50 a night more expensive than the 3* hotel we had been staying in previously so we’ll worth the upgrade!

Very expensive cocktails @ €20 each, even though the view from the bar terrace is incredible. The restaurant was good for dinner rather than amazing. We wondered if the hotel is slightly living off past glories?