The house made for a great stay in Acireale—a short walk up a hill into town to the cafes and alimentari. The house is super-cute and well-designed, and there weren't any issues with ants or other bugs while we were there. The fan is great for ventilation; we went in July and didn't need the A/C. The terrace is a beautiful place for a meal or apertif, though you'll have to cover your food if the breeze picks up (ash from Etna can shake off from the roof).
It's definitely a hike from the boulder beach at Santa Maria di la Scala (about 30 minutes)—and there's a small platform lido about 15 minutes up the road by car—but as people who like to look at the water more than be IN the water, this was perfect for us thanks to the great views.