B&B Caronte Messina, well-kept rooms opposite the ferry terminal
B&B Caronte Messina is a bed and breakfast in Messina, on Viale della Libertà, directly opposite the Strait ferry terminal. The rooms are well kept, clean and convenient for anyone catching the ferry or touring eastern Sicily. Less suitable for anyone wanting a sea view or arriving late without warning.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of B&b Caronte Messina.
Where B&B Caronte Messina is
B&B Caronte Messina is at Viale della Libertà 151, in the centre of Messina, directly opposite the ferry terminals. If you arrive or leave by sea, you will struggle to find anything more convenient.
It is in an old building in the city, in an area guests describe as strategic, halfway between the centre and the seafront. According to the property's description it is near the promenade, a beach within walking distance and the historic centre with the Regional Museum. It is a practical base for exploring the Strait and eastern Sicily.
If you need a stop on the other side of the water, or along the coast, you could look at Ace Rooms Vsg in Villa San Giovanni, in Calabria, or Eolian Port B&B in Milazzo.
What the rooms are like
The rooms are bright and tastefully furnished, and several guests praise the care taken with colours and details. Each has a private bathroom with bidet, shower, hairdryer, bathrobes and toiletries.
- Comfort. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, a desk and a coffee machine in the room.
- The bed. One review says that sleeping in a soft bed made the stay special.
- The view. Many rooms have a balcony or look onto the inner courtyard, so do not expect the sea from bed.
Sizes vary: some talk about large, bright rooms, others about a small but renovated apartment. If size matters to you, ask which room you will get first.
What guests say
The Google rating is 4.1 from 32 reviews, with a group of very positive reviews and a few very low scores. The good comments are very consistent.
- Cleanliness. It comes up in almost every review, often with the word spotless.
- The welcome. Several guests describe the owner, Luciano, as courteous, helpful and discreet.
- The location. People like that it is close to the ferries, the centre and the sea.
- Breakfast. One review mentions a very good breakfast at the bar just opposite, with a view over the Strait.
Some guests who came back after years say nothing has changed, which is a good sign of consistency for a small property. For me, cleanliness and location are the two strongest reasons to choose it.
What to know before booking
The drawbacks are not many, but they are real, and it is worth knowing them before you book.
| What guests like | What to know |
|---|---|
| Cleanliness and well-kept furnishings | The photos may suggest a sea view, but some rooms look onto the courtyard |
| Position in front of the ferries | The traffic of a port city is part of the package |
| Courteous owner, according to many | Some guests find him hard to reach in difficult moments |
| Rooms well equipped | Hot water was once missing and the response came late |
Arriving late. One guest who arrived late at night because of a delayed flight could not get in, as the manager was finishing his shift and did not wait. If you expect to arrive out of hours, write in advance and get written confirmation that someone will be waiting for you.
Another negative comment concerns the first contact, which was described as offhand. My advice is simple: sort out times and details before you set off, and keep the owner's contact to hand.
Who B&B Caronte Messina suits
I would choose it for a night or two in passing, when the aim is to catch a ferry or sleep comfortably in town without wasting time getting around. It also works for longer stays, given the coffee machine and desk in the room.
It is not the right place for anyone dreaming of a sea-view room, or for anyone arriving at unpredictable hours without warning. If you want hotel-style service with reception always open, you would do better to look elsewhere.
What to see in Messina and nearby
From Messina you can explore the Strait and eastern Sicily. In the city there is the seafront, the historic centre and the Regional Museum, all close to the B&B according to its description.
To travel along the coast you could consider Milazzo, where there is the Marea B&B in Milazzo, or B&B Semu a Mari in Santa Teresa di Riva, for a stop on the Ionian side.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
