Hotel Cutimare - Aeolian Charme ★★★★

"This was my first trip to the Aeolian Islands. A bit of a hike from Catania airport but well worth the effort (bus to Milazzo - 1 hour - and then hydrofoil ferry to Lipari). The hotel is charming and clean, and the staff are extremly attentive to guests' needs (My A/C unit didn't work, so I got an upgrade to a junior suite with terrace) and friendly without being invasive. The sea views and dawn sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking from the roof terrace where you can also enjoy a pre-dinner/pre-lunch drink. Excellent breakfast buffet and I'd recommend halfboard as the restaurant on the top of the hill (you get picked-up and dropped back at the hotel) has excellent fish fare even on the set menu, as well as a fine wine selection, available by the generous glass. The beach is right in front of the hotel and has sun loungers available. The beach is also volcanic stone which is where the hotel takes its name: "cutimare" means "ciottole" in Italian or stones. Buy a pair of rubber shoes in Lipari to save your feet from experiencing excruicating pain getting in and out of the water, although the locals walk across the stones effortlessly. This was not my case! However, the stone beach has an upside - not an ideal place for young children and families, so the beach is almost "adult" only and quiet. On my final Sunday in June, I had the beach to myself. The sea is crystalline. I used taxis but if you have a car, there are some lovely places to visit around the island or you can do a boat excursion from Lipari to explore the other islands. I added a week here after holidaying in Trentino, Barcelona, Spain and Minorca and, of all the places, I loved Lipari and Cultimare the best. In fact, I'll be returning to Sicily at the end of August. And I'd like to go back next year ... Happy holidays, folks!"

Hotel Mea - Aeolian Charme ★★★★

"Beautiful hotel with amazing views of Lipari port & ocean surrounding. Super clean room, comprehensive breakfast with lovely service (big thank you to the head waiter who taught me about espresso sizes and how to order a long black coffee😁), in general excellent service all around (nothing too much for the reception folk), pool is clean & beautifully situated with ocean views, and massage service is a good price & the most relaxing massage I’ve had! The only drawback is the transport to & from the port which is only 200m (uphill for arrival) - hotel charges €15-20 for 1 person and taxi charges £20 for 2 people. You can easily walk down to the port with your bags but it would be nice if the hotel offered complementary pickup given it’s a quality hotel."

Hotel Aura ★★★

"Positive elements: friendly staff, externally well-kept hotel in Aeolian style, nice and clean pool, room with large shower, central location of the structure. Negative elements: lack of umbrellas at the pool, basic breakfast with only croissants, rooms not very welcoming and in need of renovation. Overall a simple structure with good prices."

Arciduca Grand Hotel ★★★★

"Good location and helpful staff . Check out the roof deck . The pool is not heated . There are quite a few steps if you are not on the ground floor . The windows don't have screens , and if you want tissues or an electric kettle you have to bring your own . There's not a reading light by the bed ."

Therasia Resort Sea and Spa - the Leading Hotels of the World ★★★★★

"We were so impressed by this resort. The hotel's team was unfailingly polite, generous, and helpful. The setting is simply sensational. The choice of restaurants is extraordinary. All that the resort offers, from the spa to the swimming pool to the phenomenal service, is wonderful. We had two problems - the room in which we were staying had extremely poor internet and, much as we loved the main restaurant, we were sad not to have the option to have fresh green salad on a regular basis. The breakfast is terrific - no need for lunch. We are eager to return. You will not be disappointed."

Hotel Tritone Lipari ★★★★

"Unfortunately all expectations of staying in a nice hotel were disappointed. Not only is the Tritone hotel not at the level of a 4* superior hotel as mentioned, but I believe some things are essential for all hospitality facilities, such as cleanliness for example. Very low level of hygiene, they don't change the sheets, after 4 days I made an express request and the "new" sheets were dirty with stains (probably blood), the bed has a spring mattress which is really very uncomfortable to sleep on, at the camp bed level, not sure hotel! The shower was also very uncomfortable, there wasn't even a small shelf to place the shower gel on, you have to shower while holding shampoo and everything in your hand! The hotel does not change sheets, towels and bathroom products. The bathroom and entrance wall have always remained dirty (never been cleaned in a week) with blood stains from killed insects. There is no water in the room, not even a coffee maker or a kettle for tea or instant coffee (unacceptable for a 4*!). The reception staff is not friendly, it seems like a hassle to be at customer service, they really don't have this concept. There is no concierge desk and the reception staff is not available to provide the service that should be there! The pool is disappointing, the hydromassages didn't work, and there is no towel service, you have to go to reception and request a beach towel there (they don't even have the hotel's beach towel, never seen it). The breakfast is obscene, based only on canned things, packaged food and fruit in syrup, there is not even a choice of fresh fruit or savory foods, the service is very slow and even the à la carte food for dinner is not fresh or cooked well . The general impression is that the hotel must save money, on everything and for everyone. I would certainly have changed hotels if I had not booked through the Avventurisole agency, which proved to be absolutely not up to managing its customers and not professional nor serious even towards the hotel. We pointed out when booking that one of the guests was vegan and it was confirmed that we could assist with dietary needs, but not only was this not the case, but the agency actually boycotted its customers, attacking us verbally and also through Whatsapp. Never experienced a situation like this and what's more when you want to spend a holiday in peace and for this reason you book through a local agency to avoid any kind of problem! Speaking directly to the hotel, they wanted to give us a refund, as they claimed that the agency had not informed them. In any case, I absolutely do not recommend this hotel, too many problems which clearly are not taken into consideration and the result is a ruined holiday for those who have paid for a luxury holiday."

Eolia Rooms Lipari ★★

Hotel Villa Cute - Hvc ★★★★

"Amazing place. Right in the heart of Lipari. Staff is so friendly. Perfectly clean & modern bathrooms. Great view. Ideal for a romantic stay. Reception gave us all the tips for the best local food. I finally got to finish my summer books and relax by the pool"

La Piazza Luxury Hotel & Spa ★★★★

"We spent a week with our children at this very lovely hotel in PANAREA. The location could not be beat as it is a three minute walk to the village. The staffs and the owner was incredibly kind and friendly and always trying to help us with any request we had. The rooms were spacious clean and very comfortable with very good air-conditioning, which was needed the week we stayed. I could not recommend it more and we are booking for next year."