Owners were reasonably available for an establishment without a regular paid staff; communication easy and good. Shared bathroom was sparkling clean and usually/reasonably available for the 5 rooms using it. Delicious breakfast options available. Restaurants, convenience stores, and a vital gelato place were within a very short walk; prices very reasonable and service good. Key tourist sites were within a few minutes walk. The neighborhood is/was declining, is noisy and busy with local activity, but it felt safe and was interesting. A delightful break from soulless glitz and high cost tourist traps. I travel to see and meet people, experience local life--5 Balconi beautifully supported my goals. Also, quick and easy taxi access from and to the airport and other destinations. Clients when I was there ranged from a young couple from New Zealand, a mature couple from the Netherlands, a mid-40s business couple, and late-70s me from the US. Thanks and best regards to Christina, Rob, and Tini!

Ideal accommodation for Catania, with the nicest hosts and most beautifully furnished rooms. Don’t delay, just book in your stay now!

We had a truly wonderful experience staying at 5 Balconi.The place was clean, comfortable, and exactly as described. The location was perfect, making it easy to explore and enjoy the area. The host was super friendly and incredibly helpful, going above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic holiday. They even created daily plans and recommended places to visit, which made our trip so much easier and more enjoyable. It really felt like they made it their mission to ensure we had the best time possible. Another highlight was the wonderful breakfast served each morning – fresh, delicious, and the perfect way to start the day. We couldn’t have asked for a better stay and would definitely return. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a relaxing, well-organized, and memorable holiday!

The hosts are super kind. Would suggest anyone to stay here. Overall great. The keys are a little sensitive but overall was a good stay.

Great hosts, super helpful with suggestions of where to eat and what to see

Absolutely incredible stay! Everything about Cinco Balconi was amazing. The apartment was spotless, beautifully maintained, and the bed was one of the most comfortable we’ve ever slept in. The breakfasts were absolutely incredible—fresh, delicious, and a perfect way to start the day. But what truly made the difference was the host, Rob. He went above and beyond to help us—even with things that had nothing to do with the accommodation. His kindness, attention to detail, and genuine care made our trip unforgettable. We would absolutely recommend this place to anyone visiting Catania.

Cristina is a super friendly and open person. We spend 1 night only but we recommend to stay longer. Catania has a lot to offer during the day and at night. Delicious breakfast and familly atmospher being decided to rate Cristinas 5 Balcony by 5 stars. Best regards Jakub and Olga.

The location was ideal, close to all important sites in Catania. Also very convenient to book tours to Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, etc and close to the airport, bus and train stations. What stood out mostly about our stay was the hospitality and kindness of the host Rob as well as a great personalized breakfast. Rob was always available and seemed genuinely happy to answer our questions on places to visit. When we arrived , he sat down with us and gave us a map of Catania with recommendations on where to eat and what to visit. We enjoyed our stay so much that we extended our original 3 night stay to 4 and even returned an extra 3 nights at the end of our tour in Sicile. We highly recommend 5 Balcony.

Rob was a fantastic host, great communication before arrival, friendly, greeted with cafe latte, gave map of area and recs for places to visit nearby, accommodates for gf dietary needs and early breakfast before departure, arranged for airport car service, area is gritty but safe and a few mins walk from bus and to central sites. Highly recommend!

Cristina as a host is amazing, friendly, helpful and fun. She made my time feel very personal.

Great location excellent hospitality the hosts Cristina&Rob are very nice and helpful to everyone, they served generous and delicious breakfast in the morning. The location is easy walking distance to the historical site nice restaurants are about 5 minutes walks, highly recommended, George & Norma

Our stay at 6 Balconi was great. Both Rob and Cristina were great hosts. Very helpful and caring 😊

Rob and Christina are brilliant. Rob is a great chap. Affable, considered and considering with a generous heart and stupendous taste in music. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the good, the bad and the rip off in the vicinity; straying from his wisdom is inadvisable. He and Christina have anecdotes aplenty, and Christina in full flow is a sight to behold - a sister cat - her eyes glow. We had an extended stay, so, we had a good look at Rob and Christina's operation and found fault difficult to locate. Everything was cool (It is hot in Catania), clean and up to spec. The rooms are well decorated and appointed with curious photographs of bygone Sicilian times. The eponymous balconies afford a view to the bustling street of car horns, gesticulating arms and convenience store blues. You can sit on the balcony and watch a version of reality unfold and be perfectly content it authentic. The place has a beguiling antiquity, its peeling facades sun brushed in decaying charm, marbled palaces inside, though litter on the streets is problematic and needs addressing. Five Balconi is well located, a short walk from a castle and a fistful of Trattoria. Listen to Rob/Christina, we ventured beyond their advice once and came a cropper. Just think Rob/Christina know best and your holiday will be much improved. I dropped Rob's name at 'Da Antonio' and miraculously got a table without a reservation. We loved Catania and we loved our stay at 5 Balconi with Rob and Christina.

This was one of my best stays I have ever had. She bent over backwards to ensure everything was stress free. Couldn’t recommend this place more!

Fantastic reception from the hosts

Rob was such a great host. He really cares for his guests. With such knowledge and information about the area. He helped us locate some really great places to go see and to go for food and drinks. It was nice sharing the place with Rob as well as the other guests where we were able share with each other over a beautiful and tasty spread at breakfast. If we ever return to Catania, 5 Balconi will be our first choice. The rooms are beautiful and the common room is dressed with style. Such a warm and welcoming place to stay. Highly recommended. Thanks Rob!

Christina and her partner went out of their way to ensure my stay was first rate in every way. And the accommodation is both charming and spotlessly clean. If in Catania again I won’t hesitate to stay with them again.

The entrance to the property is pretty off putting. Having 4 keys to get from the gate to my room a bit intimidating. No lights in the stairwell that I could find. But the host, a British expat, was helpful and delightful as was the quirky and fun interior of his apartment. He arranged for a car to the airport for a predawn pickup. I spent very little time there but it was convenient to the airport,

What a delightful experience.

Only good things to say about Cristina and Rob and their wonderful, welcoming B&B in Catania. Lovely people, right in the heart of town, and so helpful. Very cute accommodation and lovely breakfast - I'd never tried pistachio croissants and the ones Cristina buys were a dream!