"From the moment we arrived at Costa Verde Cefalù, we were warmly welcomed by Luigi, who was absolutely amazing. His attitude, professionalism, and attention to detail were excellent, and he made us feel comfortable straight away. After a long journey, being greeted with such warmth instantly made us feel relaxed and at home.
Even though we arrived late at 23:00, he took the time to explain everything we needed to know, and we even had dinner waiting for us. It was such a thoughtful touch. We were also left a bottle of phenomenal wine, bottles of water, and extra water for the room because of the late arrival. Service like that really makes a difference and showed how much the staff genuinely care about their guests.
The hotel itself is absolutely beautiful, modern, and spotless throughout. The rooms were immaculate, fresh, and very comfortable, with attention to detail everywhere you looked. The rooms were cleaned daily, the towels were changed regularly, and hair and body wash were provided, which made packing and travelling even easier. Every member of staff we encountered was outstanding. The service was truly second to none, and nothing ever seemed too much trouble for them. Everything we asked for was dealt with quickly, professionally, and with plenty of detail, which made the whole experience feel very personal and welcoming. My partner asked for extra pillows during our stay, and they were provided without any fuss or hassle whatsoever. It may seem like a small thing, but it is another example of how attentive and accommodating the staff were throughout our holiday.
I’m Scottish-Italian myself, and I honestly have never experienced staff being this friendly and genuine anywhere else. Every person we passed, I made sure to say hello, good morning, good evening, please, and thank you, and the respect and kindness we received back from every single member of staff was incredible. It created such a warm and positive atmosphere around the hotel.
The reception staff in particular were outstanding. Every single day we were greeted with a smile and a good morning, good afternoon, or good evening. They were always polite, professional, and happy to help with anything we needed. My wee boy was unwell for a couple of days during our stay, and the staff regularly checked in to make sure he was okay and that we had everything we needed. That level of care and genuine concern meant a lot to us as a family and is something we won’t forget.
For breakfast, lunch, and dinner there are different food stations, and I watched many people standing in very small queues waiting for food, yet when they reached the staff, they didn’t even acknowledge them, no hello, no please, no thank you. Yet some of those same people expect the staff to constantly be cheerful and accommodating. In my opinion, respect works both ways, and I firmly believe you should treat people the way you would like to be treated yourself. A little kindness and manners go a very long way, and the staff at this hotel absolutely deserve that respect for how hard they work.
The pools were incredible, with breathtaking scenery all around that was simply to die for. The entire pool area was spotless at all times, and the bar area was equally clean, well maintained, and welcoming. Watching the sunsets around the hotel with a glass of wine in hand felt magical, and everywhere you looked seemed like a postcard picture. The whole atmosphere was peaceful, luxurious, and perfect for relaxing.
As for the food, I honestly have no idea why anyone would complain. This is Italy, and the food was exactly what you would hope for, authentic, fresh, and delicious Italian cuisine made with care and flavour. Every meal was something to look forward to.
Another fantastic touch was what was included with our half-board package. At lunch and dinner, we were provided with a bottle of sparkling water and a bottle of still water for the table. With dinner, we also received a bottle of either red or white wine. These little extras added real value to the experience and made every meal feel even more enjoyable.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the hotel really does provide everything you need. There is water available at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and there is also chilled water available at the pool bar throughout the day, which was especially appreciated in the Sicilian heat. It is these small touches that show how well thought out the guest experience is.
For anyone considering the half-board option, we found it to be very flexible. You can enjoy breakfast and dinner every day as standard, but if you would prefer lunch instead of dinner on a particular day, that is also an option. It is a great feature that allows you to plan your days around trips, excursions, or simply how you feel.
One feature that we absolutely loved was the wristband payment system. There is a desk at reception where you can top up your wristband, and then there is no need to carry cash, bank cards, or even your phone when making purchases around the resort. Everything can be paid for with a simple tap of your wristband, which makes things so much easier, especially when spending time by the pool or exploring the hotel grounds. What I particularly liked was that every time you used your wristband, you received a receipt showing exactly what you had spent and how much credit you had left, making it easy to keep track of your balance throughout your stay.
The transport options are also excellent. There are complimentary buses running regularly between the hotel and the beach, meaning you can travel up and down without any extra cost. There are also shuttle buses that take you into the beautiful town of Cefalù, with return tickets costing only €4.20, which is fantastic value and makes it easy to explore the local area without any hassle.
The staff have been second to none throughout our stay and genuinely go above and beyond for their guests. What stood out to me most was how attentive and caring they were with children. They always had time for them, interacted with them warmly, and made families feel welcome, which added to the friendly atmosphere around the hotel.
I honestly don’t think I’ve stayed in a hotel that is as well organised as this one. Everything seemed to run smoothly, from the dining areas and transport services to housekeeping and reception. The whole place is incredibly well managed, and it shows in the experience guests receive.
I go on 3–4 holidays a year, so I have experienced many different hotels and resorts, and all I can say is that this place is definitely a solid 4-star hotel, if not higher. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, of course, but one thing I don’t understand is why some people go out of their way to write such negative reviews about a place that is genuinely incredible. We all have bad days, family problems, and things going on in our lives, including the staff. Despite that, every member of the team worked tirelessly, remained professional, and treated guests with kindness and respect. In my opinion, that deserves recognition and appreciation.
No words… just wow! This hotel exceeded our expectations in every way, and we will definitely be returning.
Gianluca Sarti"
