Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton

We had a pleasant stay for 4 nights and 5 rounds of golf. The hotel is built for some years ago, but is OK. The breakfast was good ,and a lot to choose. I think IT is a must to have your own CAR, then You can SEE other place in the neigborhood. IT is also a lot of winery in the area, when the hotel is in "wina del strada". And close to The vulcano Etna.

The hotel is located on the slopes of Mt Etna. You can see the smoking summit from the hotel grounds. The hotel interior is a little dated. The dining room is rather cavernous and plain. The food is OK but not great. We chose to eat out about half of the time. We had originally booked the sister five star hotel of this resort, but we we overbooked to this hotel at the last minute. In retrospect we should have cancelled our holiday and got a refund.

The quality of food in the restaurant and the after golf bar was excellent. The staff were friendly and always keen to go the extra mile. The rooms were typically adequate. The setting dominated by views of Etna was superb. All transfers were on time.

The rooms are very well appointed with big comfortable beds and all the other facilities that you would expect at a decent golf resort. The half board option is good value and the food was great. Bar prices were reasonable given that the service you get us excellent. Snacks at the clubhouse were also delicious. Reception staff were very helpful and we can recommend the resort for a great golf break.

Long Par 4 and 5 holes. Very green also in the autumn. The green was in good condition. We walked by footh all rounds. A little bit hard between 13 and 17.

I’ve played golf on five continents over the last forty years and this is easily the tightest course I’ve ever played. Some of the tree lined fairways were only about twenty yards wide including the landing areas. You can only use your driver on a few holes. Greens were not great. Scenery on the slopes of the still active MT Etna was lovely. Not a course I enjoyed I’m afraid.

The first four holes were shabby, and squashed in so little land that it could be described as dangerous. Unfortunately first impressions linger. The rest of the course was a real challenge. Lots of length on par 3s & 5s. The 11th Par 4 stroke index 1 is hard and will stay in the memory. we played in Late March so that might explain the condition of the course. Our party of 12 thought it was too hard for a holiday venue.

Nice gentle start to the round and then you're faced with some more challenging holes towards the turn. The back nine is as good and varied as you'll get anywhere. The greens were cut twice in three days while we were at the resort and they were excellent. If I was to be really picky I would suggest that at this time of the year someone should swish the dew off the grass first thing in the morning even when the greens are going to be cut. If you're out early and ahead of the mower then the moisture on the greens makes them a lot slower. When they were cut the greens were very good indeed. Much better than the greens at the Verdura resort where we played later in out trip. Staff at the clubhouse were excellent and the views of Etna fantastic.