Who's Going
Noel and Liam Gallagher, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rod Stewart
Reason to Stay
Panoramic Views, Historic Location, Luxury Accommodations
Hotel Type
Luxury Hotel
Getting to the hotel is a navigational feat, first surviving the Sicilian driving habits and then ascending a 2000-foot mountain of single-lane roads on jaw-dropping cliffs with oncoming double-decker tour buses. After viewing the images of frescoed chapels of the former-monastery hotel in Sicily's Taormina, a subdued courtyard entranceway leads to a glass-enclosed lobby with courtyard observatory. Terra-cotta stone floors line expansive hallways with 20-foot ceiling decorated in period Italian furnishings that haven't aged as well as the overall hotel. The hotel is divided into two separate buildings, a former-monastery and newer (19th Century) hotel tower with sweeping views of the Teatro Antico (Greek Theater) and temperamental Mount Etna. Adjacent to the lobby is bustling piano bar as well as an in-house gourmet restaurant with late dinner service. Spa-minded guest discover a modest facility of treatment rooms, spa and sauna as well as a small fitness center. The hotel grounds are spectacular; featuring terraced formal gardens of lavender and bougainvillea leading to charming seating areas and lavish pool with cabana bar. The crowd can vary between stylish Italian weekenders and pound-wielding Brits in their designer sandals and fancy denim jeans.
The Room
It’s the best hotel in Southern Italy, encompassing a cliffside perch within the main village of Taormina overlooking the Mediterranean. The 105 guest rooms are spread out over two separate buildings with standard rooms occupying the former-monastery quarters and larger rooms located in the newer hotel tower. Guest rooms offer eclectic Italian décor of comfortable sofas, floral print walnut-wood chairs and intricate chandelier lighting. Painted stone floors and decadently high ceilings frame 15-foot picture windows and glass doors leading to expansive balconies with slatted-green shutters and manicured lounge areas. The hotel has select antiquities and art work places throughout guest rooms, as well as updated electronics like flatscreen television, Bose stereos and speedy Wifi. Bathrooms offer marble floors with combination tub-showers surrounded by plush-white towels and guest selected bath products ranging from Bulgari to Etro and Hermes. Service is spot-on with attentive lobby staff, helpful concierge and meticulous cleaning staff that diligently press the linen-sheets on all beds to perfection.
Preferred Room
Room 363
Special Features
Historic Hotel, Oversize Rooms, Pool Bar
Amenities
Concierge, Valet, Butler Service, Bar, Lounge, Pool, Spa, Restaurant
