Rifugio Sapienza

Ski-in/ski-out inn with restaurant, near Etna Cable Car

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January 2025

Photo gallery for Rifugio Sapienza

Quadruple Room | Premium bedding, down comforters, minibar, in-room safe
Premium bedding, down comforters, minibar, in-room safe
Front of property
Mountain view
Exterior

Reviews

8.8 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Airport transfer
    Airport transfer
  • Bar
    Bar
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Free breakfast
    Free breakfast
  • Non-smoking
    Non-smoking
  • Free parking
    Free parking
Main amenities
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ski-in/ski-out access
  • Restaurant and bar/lounge
  • Room service
  • Coffee shop/cafe
  • Meeting rooms
  • Airport shuttle
  • Terrace
  • Library
  • Front-desk safe
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Concierge services
Feel at home
  • Cribs/infant beds (surcharge)
  • Private bathroom
  • Television
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Elevator

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

Classic Single Room

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Quadruple Room

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds OR 4 Twin Beds

Twin Room (2 Single Beds)

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds

Triple Room

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 3 Twin Beds

Family Room

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed and 3 Twin Beds

Double Room

Highlights

Flat-screen TV
Premium bedding
Down duvet
Private bathroom
Bidet
Minibar
Satellite channels
Desk
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

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About the neighborhood

Map
Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza, Nicolosi, Catania, 95030

What's nearby

  • Etna Cable Car - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Monti Silvestri Lift - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Silvestri Craters - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Mount Etna - 24 min drive - 18.5 km
  • Piano Provenzana - 50 min drive - 42.8 km

Getting around

  • Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) - 71 min drive
  • Catania Ognina Station - 38 min drive
  • Cannizzaro Station - 39 min drive
  • Catania Central Station - 39 min drive
  • Airport shuttle (surcharge)

Restaurants

  • ‪Funivia dell'Etna - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪La Terrazza dell'Etna - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Ristorante Parco dei Principi - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪La Boscaiola - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Santa Rita Garden - ‬24 min drive

About this property

Rifugio Sapienza

Rifugio Sapienza allows you more time for skiing with ski-in/ski-out access. Guests looking for a bite to eat can check out the coffee shop/cafe, and the bar/lounge is a nice spot to enjoy après-ski drinks. Other highlights include a snack bar/deli and a terrace.

Languages

English, French, Italian, Spanish

At a glance

Hotel size

  • 22 rooms

Arriving/Leaving

  • Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
  • Late check-in subject to availability
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
  • Check-out time is 10 AM

Restrictions related to your trip

  • Check COVID-19 restrictions.

Special check-in instructions

  • This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
  • The front desk is open daily from 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM
  • Front desk staffed during limited hours
  • If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Required at check-in

  • Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
  • Government-issued photo ID may be required
  • Minimum check-in age is 18

Pets

  • Pets allowed*
  • Service animals welcome

Internet

  • Free WiFi in public areas
  • Free WiFi in rooms

Parking

  • Free onsite self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking on site

Transfers

  • Airport shuttle from 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM*

Other information

  • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast each morning 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/lounge
  • Coffee shop
  • Room service
  • Snack bar/deli

What to do

  • Shopping
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby

Working away

  • Meeting rooms

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Concierge services
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Luggage storage
  • Bicycle rentals

Facilities

  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Terrace
  • Library

Accessibility

  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Well-lit path to entrance

Ski

  • Ski-in/ski-out access
  • Skiing nearby

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • Flat-screen television
  • Satellite TV channels

Home comfort

  • Minibar

Sleep well

  • Down comforter
  • Premium bedding
  • Crib/infant bed (surcharge)

Freshen up

  • Private bathroom
  • Shower only
  • Bidet
  • Towels

Stay connected

  • Desk
  • Free WiFi

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe

Fees & policies

Mandatory fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges by the property at check-in or check-out. Fees may include applicable taxes:
  • A tax is imposed by the city: EUR 1.00 per person, per night

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of EUR 100 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 5)

Children & extra beds

  • Cribs/infant beds are available for EUR 10.00 per night
  • All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport

Pets

  • Service animals exempt from fees
  • Pets are allowed for an extra charge of EUR 20 per pet, per stay

Policies

This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Cashless transactions are available.
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 5000, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.

Also known as

Rifugio Sapienza Inn Nicolosi
Rifugio Sapienza Inn
Rifugio Sapienza Nicolosi
Rifugio Sapienza
Rifugio Sapienza Nicolosi, Italy - Sicily
Rifugio Sapienza Inn
Rifugio Sapienza Nicolosi
Rifugio Sapienza Inn Nicolosi

Frequently asked questions

Does Rifugio Sapienza offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Rifugio Sapienza does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Rifugio Sapienza?
Yes, pets are welcome. There's a charge of EUR 20 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.
Is parking offered on site at Rifugio Sapienza?
Yes, there's free self parking.
Is airport shuttle service offered by Rifugio Sapienza?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available from 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM on request. The charge is EUR 100 per vehicle one-way.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Rifugio Sapienza?
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM. Check-out time is 10 AM.
What is there to do at Rifugio Sapienza and nearby?
Have fun with nearby winter activities like skiing.
Are there restaurants at or near Rifugio Sapienza?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant.
What's the area around Rifugio Sapienza like?
Rifugio Sapienza is a short 1-minute walk from Etna Cable Car and 8 minutes' walk from Silvestri Craters.

Rifugio Sapienza Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Very Good

Binh, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Great customer service, staff super friendly and helpful, room was very comfortable and had everything needed, good location and restaurant food was superb. Highly recommended.
Carmen, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

The refugio was very good for the travellers. It was clean and dining was good. The staff was kind ans helpful.
Kyeongmo, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Gary, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Rifugio Sapienza had everything we could hope for. Nice room, great restaurant, a super breakfast each day, and the best location for exploring Mount Etna!
Wybo, 3-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Very friendly people, very hospitable. The room is comfortable. The food at the restaurant was delicious. We enjoyed our stay
Antonino, 1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Highly recommend, great experience with the hotel
We had a lovely time in Rifugio Sapienza, excelent location, right next to the cable car to Etna, good food and large portions, lots of choice also for breakfast. Room was clean and has comfortable beds, large balcony. Highly recommend!
Robi, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Bernhard, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very Good

Solid hotel choice
Pros: Great value for the location, decent food choices, friendly staff, free on site parking Cons: Our room had a slanted ceiling and I hit my head on it constantly (and I’m 5’4). Cleanliness of shower could be improved.
Gillian, 4-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Tricia, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Great little hotel with amazing views and very professional and friendly staff. Good restaurant specialising in pizza. Would stay again!
1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very Good

1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

Get insurance
I had to cancel due to losing my luggage on the airplane there. We had two nights and I was able to cancel a day ahead due to being stranded in the layover country. They refused to even let me cancel for the 2nd night.
Melissa, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent option if you want to visit the Volcano area. Convenient and the best you get a discount for the cable car
1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very Good

1-night trip
Verified Travelocity guest review

8/10 Very Good

You get to sleep on an active volcano, at 2000 meter altitude. What more do you need/can you ask for?
1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Service very good. Rooms simple but clean. Perfect for hiking Mt. Etna. A few good restaurants nearby.
Michael, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very Good

The hotel is quite old but there is not much choice if you want to stay overnight at Etna. It is an ok hotel for a night or two. We were two friends staying in a room with a double and a twin bed and it was ok for us. Room is quite small. Breakfast was buffet style with croissants, yoghurt, eggs, meat and cheese on offer.
1-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

The staff. they were the most accommodating and friendly staff i have ever had the pleasure to stay with. they would do things for customers using initiative before being asked. always smiling and joking too. The volcano and scenery (best ever seen) comes second to these people.
5-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Great room and service and restaurant. Super close to cable car. Get here by car or morning bus from Catania.
1-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

A good choice up there!
The rooms are clean and cosy, very comfortable bed, soft towels in the bathroom, staff extremely helpful and kind. Breakfast was quite basic (maybe because we were the only ones that morning; I've been another time and there was more stuff) but you can order real coffee/cappuccino at the bar without extra cost. The pizza at the restaurant is probably the best in the whole province!
antonio, 1-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

2/10 Poor

Appalling. Avoid at all costs!
We decided to stay at this hotel for two reasons: first, because it was about as far up the flank of Mount Etna as one can get, and secondly, because it was well rated. Boy, were we ever wrong on the second point! The front desk was manned by an unkempt man who barely looked up and offered no information whatsoever (e.g., we didn't find out there was an elevator until we were leaving). The halls and stairs were unlit, with switches on timers that had to be turned back on every five meters to avoid stumbling around in the dark. Our room was a singular cross between a Gulag, a sad summer camp and solitary confinement in a medium-security prison. Uncomfortable bed, questionable cleanliness, scuffed, worn floors, lightbulb burned out... We were tired and there aren't exactly dozens of food options on the side of a volcano, so we decided to try the on-site restaurant... which is where the "full Gulag" experience came into focus. It was genuinely appalling: Surly, indifferent waiters; ghastly, inedible prison food (I was unable to finish even a quarter of my plate); and the only truly undrinkable wine I've ever had in Italy. Nauseated and grumpy, we returned to our room as soon as possible and tried to fall asleep. The breakfast the next morning was somewhat better, though we still left as fast as we could. All in all, quite possibly the worst hotel I have ever had the misfortune of staying in. Avoid it at all costs!
Alexandre, 1-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Cozy room on top of the volcano
Nice and cozy room. Good pizza at the restaurant. Decent price (considering where you are). Great starting point for a morning hike on the small craters.
Nicolo, 1-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

Perfect for visitng Etna
Friendly, helpful staff. Accommodation a bit basic, room clean, smell of drains in the bathroom. Breakfast was OK. BUT, right next to cable car for Etna. Also, we went to the restaurant (NOT cafe) attached for dinner and the food was excellent, would recommend it.
Sarah, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Very good few days.
Keith, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review