Storico 17, B&B and apartments close to central Catania
Storico 17 is a B&B with rooms and apartments in Catania, close to the central station and the old town, with a terrace and Etna views from the penthouse. It suits travellers who visit the city without a car and want to walk or take the metro, not hotel-style services.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of bed e breakfast - Apartment- storico 17.
Where Storico 17 is in Catania and how to get there
Storico 17 is on Via Antonino di Sangiuliano, in Catania, about 800 metres from the old town. Guests describe it as convenient and central, a few metres from the central station and the metro. It is a practical base for Piazza Duomo and the Baroque streets, and for a weekend in the city without a car, it is exactly the kind of location I look for.
Catania Fontanarossa airport is about 6 km away, and the property arranges a shuttle for a fee. The Le Ciminiere exhibition centre is also easy to reach. The reviews also say that the recommended restaurants and sights are a few steps away.
What the rooms and apartments are like
The offer is mixed, with air-conditioned rooms and apartments, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Some units have a full kitchen with a fridge, oven and hob, useful for longer stays. The private bathroom has a shower, a hairdryer and a toiletries set.
- The penthouse. One couple booked it and speaks very highly of it, with a terrace where they had lunch outdoors looking at Etna.
- The rooms. For several guests they are tidy, bright, fresh-smelling and clean, with a coffee machine and free water.
- The sizes. They are not all the same. One disappointed guest describes a double room that felt almost like a single.
What guests say
On Google the rating is 4.6 from 66 reviews, and almost all the recent ones are five stars. The themes that come up are few and clear.
- The new host. Several guests say the management changed recently and that the host is kind, helpful and full of tips on where to eat and what not to miss.
- The location. Central, close to the station and metro and a few steps from restaurants and sights. For many this is the main reason to recommend it.
- The cleanliness. In the most recent reviews the property is described as modern, well kept and clean.
What to know before you book
There are also three very critical reviews, older than the enthusiastic ones and written before the new host took over. I do not know whether the problems have been fixed, so I am reporting them as they are.
| What the criticisms say | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| A small double room, with the bed against the wall and access from one side only | Ask for the dimensions and layout before you book |
| Bathroom shortcomings, no bidet and a slow shower drain | Check what is included in your unit |
| Poorly kept linen and towels, weak soundproofing | If you are a light sleeper, write to the property |
| Absent host and no hot water in one case | The recent reviews say the opposite |
My advice is to confirm the accommodation you are booking, because rooms and apartments are not all the same. A location this central can also be a little noisy.
Who Storico 17 suits
I think it suits couples and friends who explore Catania on foot and use the place mainly to sleep. Being close to the station and metro is a real advantage if you arrive by train or want to get around without a car. The penthouse with the Etna view is the most dramatic choice.
It is not the place for anyone who wants hotel-style services or very large rooms. For longer stays, the apartments with a kitchen can be practical, provided you check what the one you choose offers.
What to see in Catania and alternatives nearby
From the B&B you can reach Piazza Duomo and the Baroque streets, and Le Ciminiere is easy to get to. You can see Etna from the penthouse terrace, but visiting it requires separate planning.
If the more critical reviews leave you with some doubts, you could also look at Dimora Lupo_LifeStyle B&B in Catania, Scuto Home Apartments in Catania or B&B Ca' De Andreas, also in Catania.
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.
