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.
