Perched high on the hillside with sweeping views over the Bay of Naxos to Mount Etna, Villa Diodoro is a real gem. The vibrant heart of Taormina is just moments away but inside the beautifully maintained and fragrant Mediterranean gardens, it feels like a private oasis. You’ll also have the use of the Hotel Caparena – the Villa Diodoro’s seafront sister property – and shuttle buses take you between the hotels with ease. You’ll find some of the best views from the poolside terrace; it’s also a great spot for a casual lunch, with wonderful rainbow-coloured salads on the menu. Dining here is focused on fresh, locally inspired Mediterranean cuisine, with a smattering of international favourites and the occasional buffet. Large French windows at the Diodoro Restaurant offer up stunning views. For drinks, Il Vecchio Carrubo serves fine wines and classic cocktails alongside an extensive tea menu. Taking its name from the age-old carob trees that line the terrace, it’s perfect for an early evening aperitivo accompanied by the soothing sounds of the piano. Standard Rooms have a classic villa style and views over the Mediterranean gardens. Alternatively, choose a Superior Side Seaview Room and enjoy views over the hotel’s gardens and side sea views from the small balcony. A Superior Seaview Room allows you to enjoy the beautiful ocean vista. The larger Deluxe Rooms have a spectacular view over Mount Etna and the southern Sicily coast.
Located in peaceful parkland, this hotel started life as a stunning private villa in the late 1800s and still holds all the charm of its aristocratic origins. The service you will receive is at the level you would expect from a Belmond property and the views are just as spectacular as you can imagine from a coastal setting. Dining here is a pleasure with regional cuisine being served at Oliviero Restaurant; the top table here is out on the terrace which overlooks the bay and sea. Featuring its own stretch of private beach, it’s no surprise that water-based activities feature heavily on the agenda here. During the summer months (mid-May to mid-September) soak up the sun on the free daily boat rides around the stunning east coast and the Ionian Sea. You’ll be able to discover the coast aboard a traditional boat, setting sail to the Blue Grotto, Isola Bella, the Gulf of Giardini Naxos, the Fortune Cave and the Siren’s Bay. Away from the beach, you’ll find spectacular panoramic views from the beautiful infinity pool, and there’s a host of Mediterranean-inspired treatments at the wellness centre. The rooms and suites overlook the courtyard or the Bay of Mazzarò and have calm Mediterranean colours, often with a splash of colour. Classic Rooms overlook the pretty gardens or courtyard, some with a French balcony or terrace. Superior Rooms have fabulous views of Mazzaró Bay, again some with a French balcony. Deluxe Rooms have bay views, with some featuring a terrace or balcony. For a guaranteed balcony with sea views, opt for a Superior or Deluxe Junior Suite.
You’ll love this award-winning resort, set deep in 570 acres of olive groves and countryside on Sicily’s south-west coast which has been sensitively created using local materials and influenced by traditional architecture. There’s over a mile of private coastline to enjoy but the distance is no problem – just hop on one of the many bikes you’ll spot around the complex. Golfers are spoilt for choice; there are three championship 18-hole golf courses, a 9-hole course, putting greens and a driving range to keep you busy, plus a Clubhouse with a golf shop and restaurant. Off the green, brush up on your serve at the tennis academy or have a game on the six clay courts. There are four restaurants and five bars to keep the dining options varied. At Zagara, celebrity chef Fulvio Pierangelini showcases the best of Mediterranean cuisine, while at beachfront Amare, the chefs barbecue the freshest fish, seafood and meats right in front of you. Rooms are designed in fresh Sicilian style, feature a four-poster bed and you’ll always have an unrestricted sea view. Deluxe Rooms are on the first floor and have a balcony you can sit out on to take in the sea views. The Superior Deluxe Rooms are on the ground floor, while the Superior Deluxe Seafront Rooms are closer to the sea and feature a terrace. For more space, opt for a Junior Suite with sitting area or a Classic Suite with plenty of outdoor space. Or splash out on a Grand Suite for the luxury of a courtyard, living room and kitchenette.
Sicilian architecture meets English Arts and Crafts style in this historic villa, built in 1908 by the British architect Robert Charles Ashbee. Small but perfectly formed, this member of the Leading Hotels of the World group has been lovingly restored with meticulous attention to detail. The décor features delicate antiques complemented by bold statement wallpapers and opulent textures. There are some stunning views from here as citrus groves cascade down towards the clear blue waters that stretch out towards the Italian mainland, which is visible on a clear day. In keeping with the hotel’s British history, the generous breakfast spread includes an elegant take on a cooked breakfast with eggs, crispy bacon and little pots of baked beans. During the day the poolside snack bar serves fabulous cocktails and snacks, while dinner is served in the St George Restaurant by Heinz Beck. Depending on the season, you can choose a table inside or sit out on the terrace among gentle breezes and fragrant lavender. It’s also the perfect spot for a sunset mojito made with fresh mint picked from the hotel’s own gardens. As you would expect from a hotel of this calibre, the rooms and suites are a beautiful fusion of original features and modern furnishings with quality linens. Classic Rooms feature a colour scheme that blends chocolate and cream with a hit of magenta. Superior Rooms have a little more space with some featuring an outside terrace. For guaranteed outdoor space, opt for a Deluxe Room or upgrade to one of the spacious and individually designed Suites. These are available with a sea view for a supplement.
Set in a picturesque cove, the vibe at La Plage is very much one of laid-back luxury, Sicilian-style. This informal beachfront retreat feels wonderfully peaceful, yet you will be just a short walk to the cable car which will take you to the boutiques and bars of lively Taormina in just a few minutes. Back at the hotel you can while away blissful hours at the tranquil Expure Spa, choosing from an extensive menu of wellness and beauty treatments as well as a variety of rejuvenating massages. The stunning views that accompany breakfast on the terrace make for a wonderful start to the day, whether you are planning to spend it exploring the island or just relaxing at the hotel. At the waterside Beach Club (open April to October), which has a fantastic setting on a natural bay, there are sun beds and beach umbrellas, as well as attendants who will serve you delicious drinks, gelatos and light dishes. From here you can also enjoy the breathtaking views of Isola Bella and the Mediterranean Sea. By night, the popular Fusion Restaurant is an upmarket take on street food, creatively combining the culinary traditions of Sicily with rich Mediterranean flavours. The style of the rooms and bungalows is very modern with light tones and a splash of colour. Superior Garden View Rooms have a small outdoor terrace while Deluxe Sea View Rooms have a balcony with sea views. For more privacy and space, choose one of the bungalows nestled beneath a fragrant pine forest. Garden View Bungalows have views of a terrace while Seaside Bungalows are closer to the beach.
Imagine living in an opulent villa like Sicilian nobility in the 1920s, and you’ve pretty much cracked the vibe at Grand Hotel Miramare. This imposing coral-pink mansion started its life back in 1922 as the home of an aristocratic Taormina family, who then transformed it into an elegant hotel four years later – and it’s been a romantic retreat ever since. It’s all refined Italian glamour with an eclectic twist here: acres of glossy stone, mid-century-style furniture in bold blues and ambers, a smattering of statement artwork. Peeking out from a lush Mediterranean grove of cypress and olive trees, the hillside villa looks out over the bay of Isola Bella and, beyond, the Strait of Messina. These breathtaking vistas also take centre stage in the bedrooms – framed by the windows in the Classic Rooms, or tantalisingly close from the balconies of Superior Rooms. However, the cream of the crop is the view from Junior Suites: an azure sweep of Mazzarò Bay best taken in from the wrought-iron terrace – the perfect spot to sip fresh coffee first thing in the morning. Sleekly understated interiors in warm colour palettes let the views do the talking, while richly textured Italian furnishings and gleaming wood finishes channel that effortless style that Italians do best. Wake in time for a leisurely breakfast on the terrace – grab a seat by the edge for the best views – before staking a claim on a sun lounger beneath the orange trees bordering the outdoor pool. When the midday sun starts to scorch, escape the heat on a shady patio of traditional trattorias lining Taormina’s pretty piazzas, feasting on Sicilian favourites such as spaghetti alla Norma and pasta con le sarde. But be sure to save room for dinner back at the hotel – the seafood dishes and catch of the day are worth it.
With sheer cliffs plunging to deep blue coves and a sprawl of pastel-hued buildings clinging to hillsides, Taormina is a postcard-pretty spot on the eastern coast of Sicily. UNAHOTELS Hotel Capotaormina sits on a peninsula just underneath the town and features an extraordinary design – the main building is perched atop the headland; the seawater pool and outdoor terraces are carved into the rock face; and there’s a secluded private beach tucked into the foot of the cliff (with a lift to whisk you down). Bordered on all sides by the Ionian Sea, this charming bolthole looks out over Naxos Bay – all set against a dramatic backdrop of the smouldering Mount Etna. And the best place to take in this unique location: the 14-person Jacuzzi at the tip of the promontory, which faces the hilltop town of Taormina – the forested speck of Isola Bella to one side, and Naxos and the volcano on the other. There’s also a wellness centre with a sauna and gym, plus a treatment menu of massages and beauty therapies. A trio of restaurants shines a spotlight on the flavours of Sicily and further afield, from al fresco breakfasts overlooking Mount Etna at Alcantara Restaurant, to regional dishes facing the gulf at Naxos Restaurant and catch of the day from La Scogliera Restaurant’s sea-view terrace. There are also three bars, including a poolside option and a terrace spot – perfect for catching a fiery sunset. Rooms are warm and welcoming, with wooden and wicker headboards, classic Sicilian paintings and a furnished balcony – with garden views from Classic Rooms and sea views from the Superior Rooms.
Hotel Villa Diodoro
Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea
Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel
The Ashbee Hotel
La Plage Resort
Grand Hotel Miramare
UNAHOTELS Hotel Capotaormina
