La Fucina di Vulcano

Fucina di Vulcano‘s location is unbeatable and it is the main attraction to this property. And it is really the only one. As an overnight guest you are basically an afterthought as the owners main focus is organizing large events in the restaurant and now it seems launching a pool club for the local community. As a Bronte resident, you might view this place as a real asset but as a visitor there are much better options out there. Much of what we experienced was mentioned in other reviews so ours is confirmation that the points are still valid. While dinner was decent, breakfast was very sad. Two cakes on a table with some granola. Again the view of Etna makes dining a nice experience. As with others, we also had plumbing problems and had no water for half of our stay. It was eventually fixed but no offer to let us use another room or any type of compensation. And this is the crux of the Fucina di Vulcano. They claim to be a resort but it is, as the title suggests, a restaurant with a few rooms above. There are no common areas and no amenities. Several booking and review platforms show a lovely photo with a lounge area in a glass-walled room with a view but this area is not open to guests and has instead been converted to an extension of the restaurant on the upper floor. It sat empty while we were there. Then there is the pool. When we arrived after a long hot drive from the other side of the island we were told it is an „extra service“ and there is a fee. I have traveled extensively in Italy and while the hotels are rather unique in charging an entry fee to wellness areas, this is the first time I have ever encountered a charge to use an outdoor pool. As we had an evening flight the next day, I paid the fee and we spent the afternoon at the pool. It is nicely done but certainly not worth €20 per person per day. They seem to be targeting external guests to come and spend the day there given that Bronte is a good hour from the coast. In sum, Fucina di Vulcano was a disappointing end to a lovely stay in Sicily. We are planning to visit Bronte during the Pistachio Festival but will not be staying here when we do.

Very Nice Hotel at the Foot of Mt Etna This is a beautiful property. The staff members went above and beyond. The restaurant is great and highly recommended. They even arranged a private pistachio tasting for us. For the price, it is a great value. Architecturally, the property is stunning inside.

We stayed for 3 nights during the Bronte Pistachio Festival, and the staff could not have been more considerate. Marvellous food and service, luxury rooms, great surroundings, we highly recommend it.