Unfortunately we arrived in Messina in the early evening with no hotel booked and came across the Jolly Hotel. Firstly the hotel reception staff are by no means jolly. The middle aged man was very rude and charged us an extortionate amount. No one offered to help with our bags and everytime we went past the reception he glared at us. The hotel is very basic and while it was sufficient for our needs (we weren't looking for a posh hotel) it did not justify the price tag. In the morning we decided to leave and try another hotel (The grande Hotel Liberty) which was cheaper and 4* rather than 3* it was very very nice and the hotel staff were extremely friendly and helpful, I would advise you stay there rather than the Jolly. On leaving the receptionist charged us an extra 10 euros for breakfast something he claimed was included the day before. .... PLEASE do not stay here.....it was the worst hotel of our stay in Sicily.

booked this tour using the jolly hotels throughout sicily by academic tours in ny. the trip was called sicilian fantasy but goes by many other names using the jolly hotels. it was mediocre to say the least. do not book this trip.but, the hotel in messina was by far the worst hotel we have ever stayed in throughout italy. it was dirty, old and not updated at all, dark and dreary, no air conditioning and the food was worse than most poor italian restaurants. the staff treated us like second class citizens. in general, the jolly hotels were not what they used to be years ago.

On the Straits of Messina sits the Jolly Hotel. Unfortunately the location is the best thing going for this hotel. Although we had made reservations for 14 with names and rooming information we had to give the very rude desk staff the same information again. Passports were not sufficient. They needed complete names, city of birth and date of birth. The rooms were small, dank and dated. The elevator was slow and extremely small. The well known hotel restaurant only served until 10:00 the night we were there and the desk clerk could not provide any information on other restaurants near the hotel. Save your money and stay where you are welcome!