Our stay in Cefalù was unfortunately completely derailed by an alarming lack of communication, organization, and basic security at this hotel.
While we later noticed a note buried on Expedia stating that check-in closes after midnight, this is certainly not standard for a traditional hotel. Most hotels operate 24/7, and if check-in hours are restricted, it needs to be made glaringly, unmistakably clear before booking.
More importantly, if a property closes its reception, their emergency phone line must be manned at all times. We rang the provided number two or three times when we arrived, but absolutely no one picked up. With the front doors firmly locked and no staff in sight, we were completely stranded and forced to sleep outside on the street for four to five hours. It was an exhausting, stressful, and entirely unacceptable situation.
To make matters worse, the security implications the next morning were shocking. At 8AM, staff finally opened up, and our room key card was literally left sitting out completely unattended on the front desk. Anyone walking past could have easily grabbed it and walked straight into our room. If the card was going to be left out where anyone could access it, they might as well have left it in a secure lockbox outside for us when we first arrived.
