How do you decide where to stay on your holiday? Choosing a destination is one thing; sifting through numerous villas and hotels is quite another. So which offers the better experience – a villa in Sicily or a hotel? Naturally all sorts of things come into play, not least who you’ll be holidaying with. Budget, comfort and how much flexibility you want are also key factors but fundamental to your decision is what style of holiday you’re looking for.

Which is more budget-friendly, hotel or villa?

Hotel
A holiday for two? A hotel stay in Sicily can work out more cost-effective than booking a villa if you’re staying in a double room. If you’re planning to spend most of the week relaxing by the pool or on the beach, avoid extra daily expenses by picking a hotel that includes free use of sun beds on the nearest beach. Check also if breakfast is included in your daily rate and think about additional charges such as parking and gym use, which can soon start to rack up costs.

Villa
For families and larger groups, renting a villa will almost always work out cheaper – with costs being split across the board, the per person rate will generally be lower. You’ll also find significant savings in having the freedom to prepare your own meals. No need to forgo the delicious local pastries and fresh coffee at breakfast – just enjoy them at a fraction of the price! Plus, the kids can grab a drink out of the fridge without incurring heavy bar bills and, of course, you can opt to eat in or go out.

Support network

Hotel
Staying in a hotel means that you generally have a team of people around you ready to assist when needed. Someone to turn to in the event of illness or things going wrong, and a hotel manager, concierge and other staff to provide local recommendations.

Villa
It’s just as important to have a support network when you stay in a villa. Here at Wish Sicily, we’re at the end of the phone offering customer support 24/7 so there’s no need to worry if things go wrong. And with your villa owner often living nearby, you’ll get lots of great recommendations on where to eat and shop.

Experience local life in Sicily

Hotel
For many of us, a holiday abroad is all about experiencing another way of life. When you stay in a hotel, how much of a feel you get for local life will depend partly on the hotel and location. Stay in a family-run hotel in the mountains or a small village and you’ll get a wonderful sense of community but swap that for a 3 or 4-stay large beachfront hotel and your experience could be quite different.

Villa
You’re much more likely to get an authentic experience of Sicily if you’re staying in a villa. Start your day buying fresh bread and enjoying a cappuccino at a bar in town and you’ll immediately get a feel for everyday life in Sicily. Then pop to a local market to check out the colourful fresh produce and, when the sun drops, head to the local pizzeria for a lively evening amidst the chatter of other Italian families.

Comfort, luxury and space

Hotel
Staying in a hotel is often regarded as a more indulgent option. Certainly, there’s no shortage of superb hotels in Sicily offering wonderful levels of luxury, with in-house spas, gyms and pools. But however fantastic your room, you’ll be sharing the pool and other communal spaces with your fellow guests.

Villa
For families, staying in a luxury villa in Sicily means ample space inside and out without sacrificing on luxury – and all to yourself! Enjoy ensuite bedrooms with hotel style bathrooms, elegant communal living spaces and outdoor areas with terraces, lawns, a pool and outdoor kitchen. In other words, plenty of space for everyone to spread out and enjoy their little corner of heaven. And often crowned with an indulgent extra such as a strategically placed hot tub or two, or a hideaway children’s play corner.  One of our newest villas, the super luxurious contemporary Villa Panarea, even has a private spa.

Freedom and flexibility

Hotel
We get it – the prospect of not needing to think about cooking, shopping or cleaning for a blissful week or two is undeniably appealing! Having no decisions to make other than choosing off a menu or being able to leave the table knowing that there’s someone else to clear up the mess are two of life’s simplest but perhaps most appreciated pleasures. But if you have young children, limited flexibility around mealtimes, or having to choose from a set menu can negate the benefits. Bear in mind also that most hotels have restrictions surrounding pool opening times.

Villa
By comparison, eating what and when you want is one of the big advantages of staying in a villa. And you may be surprised to find that whipping up dishes that you might not prepare at home takes all the drudge out of cooking, particularly if your villa has an outdoor kitchen. You can still eat out as often you want so aren’t restricted by having to constantly shop and cook, but you have the freedom and flexibility to eat in or out. You can also opt into cooking lessons or chef-prepared meals in your villa where you’ll get the chance to chat to local food enthusiasts and learn about Sicilian food.

To conclude, it’s all about deciding what you treasure most. Opting for a hotel stay may appear more effortless and undemanding but in doing so, you may find that you miss out on the richness of exploring a more authentic Sicily.