I'm having a difficult time getting information about hotels on Lipari. It is particularly frustrating that no hotels give very good explanations of where they are except to say "near" to the historic center or "within easy distance of the port". My emails to the hotels are going pretty much unanswered -- probably compounded by the fact that most of them are closing for the winter this week. When I emailed Hotel Carasco and questioned the distance to the port or town, they responded "yes, you can get to the port and the town from the hotel." How? -- plane?, 2 hour bus ride?, 3 minute walk? Is there such a thing as a street map of Lipari town? Michelin and mapquest websites don't get any closer than a real general overview of the entire area without any street names. How can I research this better? And even more importantly, who can give me some first hand advice on Lipari hotels? We definitely want to be in Lipari town, and able to easily walk to dinner, the port, etc. We'd prefer not to do half-pension as we love to adventure out each night to eat somewhere new, but that seems to be a problem with many of the hotels, especially with our last week of July dates (fortunately the highest season doesn't start until a week later.)

I'm also researching Lipari, so I can "feel your pain". The Hotel Carasco (which has its own website) told me by e-mail that they have a free shuttle to town (this means it is not within "easy" walking distance). The Carasco has ceiling ventilators, but no a/c. You might factor this into your decision. It is also the biggest property on the island (89 rooms, not exactly "quaint"). The Hotel Giardino sul Mare is closer and advertises a/c during July and August only. The "best" hotel in town is the 4-star Villa Meligunis: it's not actually on the sea, but it is open all year, has a/c and is within easy walking distance. Most of these hotels can be found on the internet. I suggest you go into yahoo.it and search "alberghi a Lipari" and "Lipari alberghi"). The official Italian Government Travel Site, www.enit.it, lists all hotels in the country. You will click on Sicily (Region) and again on Messina (Province) to get to the listings for Lipari. The Rough Guide (Sicily) has a decent street map of Lipari Town. So does the Touring Club Italiano and Planet Earth Guides (the one for Sicily). In July and August, half pension is either required or strongly pushed, but you might be able to negotiate out of it at some hotels. Also, a few hotels offer only B/B. By the way, you can also find all the ferry and hydrofoil schedules (and fares) to the Aeolian Islands on the internet, as well as trains to/from Milazzo and the rest of Sicily (with fares). Both Fodors and Frommers (Budget) have descriptions of recommended properties on Lipari.

Thanks GAC. I have already looked at these hotels and others on their websites, but apparently you have a better feel for where they are. Giardina sul Mare is really vague about location, and they too require half-board. Yes the Meligunis looks nice, but quoted over 258 a night without even a guarantee of seaview or balcony room. I was very excited about the Lisca Bianca on one web site (Italy net) that looked great and listed its address as Lipari and tells that it is situated right at the tourist port, etc. Not until I found it again on another site did I find out it's not even on the island of Lipari, but on Panarea -- the Italy net site never once mentions Panarea. Did you mean Rough Guide and Planet Earth web sites for maps? I will try, but perhaps I need to buy the books? Do you know anything about the Hotel Poseidon? I believe there was a reference to it on this web site, and I've looked at their own web site, but again no clue as to just where it is. Also looking at the Hotel Park Gattapardo, although again half-board is required. I guess we don't lose too much if we simply don't eat there a few nights.

You can consult both the publications: Rough Guide(Sicily) and Lonely Planet Guide (Sicily) in public libraries and bookstores. Eyewitness Guide (Sicily) is also worth looking at. The Rough Guide is good enough that I would purchase it. I have also seen information on the internet for Hotel Poseidon, Hotel Gattopardo and Hotel Villa Augustus, but am myself gravitating toward the Giardino sul Mare for its sea views, a/c and swimming pool. I wish I could get some reviews from people who have actually stayed there. I believe that it is within walking distance of the Marina Corta (south of the Castle Area), where hydrofoils dock (ferry ships dock at the Marina Lunga, north of the Castle Area). You should ask the hotel the distance in meters from the dock (bearing in mind that they almost always under-estimate). Remember too that many hotels will have a minimum stay during July and especially August (3 to 7/14 days).

I stayed at Meligunis in Lipari. It was a nice hotel, conveniently located in town a short walk to the port. I was with a tour, so didn't need to make my own arrangements there. However, I have the contact info, which was current as of May 2000--can't guarantee it hasn't changed. <BR> <BR>Villa Meligunis <BR>via Marte 8 <BR>98055 Lipari <BR>tel. 090-9812426 <BR>fax 090-9880149 <BR>e-mail: [email protected]

See my review of the Hotel Carasco in the posting "Hotel Carasco Lipari Island"