Grand Hotel Villa Politi and nearby sports venues in Syracuse, Italy

Built at the end of the 19th century on old Greek quarries, the Grand Hotel Villa Politi dominates the rugged Sicilian countryside, and is situated one kilometre from the Paolo Orsi Archaeological Museum and two kilometres from the old city centre. The 100 guestrooms are classically decorated with parquet floors and rich gold fabrics, and include air conditioning, satellite television, wireless Internet, and minibars.
The hotel's restaurant, Salone Laudien, features large stone pillars, chandeliers, and arched windows which complement the early Liberty decor, and offers traditional Sicilian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood. The hotel has a large outdoor pool bordered by a terrace area for sunbathing. Guests can enjoy cocktails by the pool or, in winter, by the open fireplace in the lobby. There is free parking for guests with their own vehicles, while for business travellers there are conference facilities including audio visual equipment and meeting rooms. Complimentary newspapers can also be found in the lobby and there is wireless Internet access for guests who wish to plan a day's sightseeing. Multilingual staff at the 24 hour front desk can advise on local attractions and book restaurants and excursions. The Madonna delle Lacrime Sanctuary, famous for an icon of the Madonna which began weeping in 1953, is just 800 metres away. The Church of Santa Lucia is one kilometre away, and features paintings by Caravaggio. Catania Airport is 60 kilometres away, a drive of around 60 minutes.