Hotel Review: Lùme

Travelers searching for tasteful design and a private atmosphere need to look no further. Lùme is a chic family home located in the historic center of Siracusa that offers guests a relaxing Sicilian experience.

Curated and meticulously managed by Prune, Ronan, and Hanawa, guests are personally greeted and cared for as if they are family. The vibe is luxurious, without feeling stuffy – giving those who stay here a feeling of calm. It’s the perfect place to stay for a weekend in ancient Siracusa.

Location

Mere steps away from the main square of the city, Lùme is perfectly located in the heart of Siracusa on the island of Ortigia. Despite its position in the city center, rooms are fully soundproofed allowing for a quiet night and restful sleep.

The closest airport is the Catania airport, which is approximately an hour's drive without traffic from the hotel.

The Hotel

Lùme is an intimate hotel, featuring five rooms and one attic apartment available for booking. Guests and staff describe the space as a “family vacation home”, which illustrates the feeling here perfectly. Service at Lùme is personal, with each guest warmly welcomed and attended to by the owners.

The Food and Drinks

There is no restaurant on-site at Lùme, but room rates include a fresh breakfast of homemade pastries, jams, local meats, and seasonal fruits.

During the evening hours, a rooftop bar opens for aperitifs with sweeping views of the Mediterranean and a warm breeze.

Room Booked: The Seconda

For our stay at Lùme, we booked the Seconda option. The room features an entrance cooridor with space for seating and a large bathroom, complete with a soaking tub. Decorations in the room add to the space and deliver the feeling of familiarity. We were slightly disappointed that the room’s Juliette balcony opens into the inner courtyard and does not offer views of the city.

The finishes in the bathroom are luxurious and thoughtful, while the space itself was large and uncrowded. The bathroom’s large soaking tub was delightful for some rest and relaxation after a long day of exploring Ortigia.

However, it’s worth noting that the balcony door in the bathroom opened to an exterior courtyard, which directly faced someone’s private apartment balcony. There was no privacy if the door was left open.

Activities

At the hotel, there is a gorgeous roof terrace for sunbathing, a fitness center, and a massage room that is bookable in advance. There is a rooftop lounge area but no pool at the hotel. For guests seeking the sun and sea, both public and private solariums are nearby.

Because of its prime location in Ortigia, nearly all of Siracusa’s most popular sites are within walking distance from Lùme. The main square is less than five minutes by foot from the hotel.

Overall

Travelers looking for a feeling of home away from home will find it here. Everything at this hotel is laid-back but luxe. Rooms at Lùme are uniquely designed, spacious, and comfortable.

What We Loved

• The hotel is owned and operated by three close friends and feels more like a “home” than a hotel. We loved chatting with the owners and learning about their stories.
• Throughout the hotel, guests are able to enjoy the painstaking detail put into every aspect of the design.
• Our room, the Seconda, had a beautiful pink alcove tub which was perfect for soaking after a long day walking around the island.

What You Should Know

• Beware of the invite: “Happy Hour” drinks on the roof terrace actually come at a cost. We mistakenly thought the cocktail hour was an included amenity for guests.
• The smaller rooms are located on the lower floors of the hotel, making natural lighting in the room nearly non-existent.
• This is not an accessible hotel.

Book your own stay at Lume on Booking.com or on Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Check out my other hotel reviews here.