Luxury hotels in Taormina: between historic cliff and Mazzarò bay

The San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel occupies a former Dominican convent founded in 1374, converted into a hotel as early as 1896. We quickly recognise the place: it is the setting for season 2 of The White Lotus, largely filmed in its gardens and cloister. The vaulted corridors, restored frescoes and light stone arcades tell five centuries of Sicilian history, without artificial reconstruction. The rooms look out either over the Ionian Sea or Etna, often both at once from the upper terraces. Rates start at 2 190 € per night, which remains in the upper range of European Four Seasons. The spa and infinity pool overlook the bay of Naxos, a rare setting for a swim. We simply regret that the influx of curious visitors spotting the series sets can sometimes be heard even in the gardens 😌.

The Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel has occupied since 1873 the most enviable terrace in Taormina, pressed against the ancient Teatro Greco. Open the shutters and Etna smokes on the horizon, the bay of Naxos sparkles below. The pool, carved into the sloping garden, overlooks the Ionian Sea without any building coming between. The rooms blend colourful Sicilian fabrics and period furniture, some a little small for the rate requested. The spa remains modest in size but benefits from the same mineral silence as the rest of the property. Here, we pay mostly for the address and the history, Oscar Wilde and D.H. Lawrence slept here, more than the square metre surface, from 1 750 € a night. The positioning literally in the ruins of the Greek theatre remains the true luxury of the place, nothing else in Taormina has this proximity 😌.

Atlantis Bay does not play the promontory card like its neighbours clinging to the Taormina cliff. The hotel settles at water level, in a cove that opens directly onto the bay facing Isola Bella. We reach it without transfer or endless lift, a real argument when carrying suitcases in the height of August. Rates start at 1 158 € per night, a level that places the establishment in the same league as the great houses of the Sicilian coast. The pool and wellness centre occupy most of the time on site, between sea baths and treatments. Room service and the airport shuttle simplify a stay that remains above all seaside. We regret not having more details on the table, but the position on the water is enough to justify the trip 😌.

The Ashbee Hotel, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World network, occupies a central position in Taormina, on the Ionian coast of Sicily. The 181 reviews collected on Booking raise the score to 9.4/10, a rare score for this category of establishment. The pool remains the rallying point of the days, between two visits to the ancient Greek theatre and the alleys of Corso Umberto. Count from 1 005 € per night, a rate that places the address among the most expensive in the city. The site does not detail the number of rooms nor the style of the interiors, which leaves a part of the unknown once the door is crossed. Pets are admitted, family rooms exist, and an airport shuttle simplifies the arrival from Catania. The private parking on site, rare in the narrow streets of Taormina, counts among the concrete arguments for booking 😌.

Grand Hotel San Pietro Taormina clings to the Sicilian cliff, above the Gulf of Naxos, member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts network. The score climbs to 9.3/10 on 478 reviews, rare for an establishment displayed from 1 003 € per night. The outdoor pool benefits from a clear view of the Ionian Sea, with no obstacle between the water and the horizon. The spa and fitness centre occupy a separate wing, far from the hubbub of the lobby. On the practical side, the airport shuttle and private parking simplify arrival from Catane. Pets are accepted and family rooms exist, which remains rare at this level of range. The rate climbs quickly, but the overhanging position justifies a good part of the bill 😌.

Mazzarò Sea Palace occupies the bay of the same name, below Taormina, with direct access to the private beach. The score of 9,3/10 from 235 Booking reviews places the property among the highest rated on the Ionian coast. The outdoor pool overlooks the sea, with no road or promenade between the loungers and the water. The spa and fitness centre remain open to guests who prefer indoors to beach days. Expect from 1 413 € per night, a rate that remains in the upper range of 5-star addresses in the region. The private parking on site is a real plus, as Via Nazionale offers little space for parking. Family rooms and pets accepted broaden the clientele beyond the honeymoon couple 😌.

Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel occupies a 19th-century villa built for an English aristocrat, positioned directly on the bay of Mazzarò. The ochre façade and green shutters look out over a turquoise sea, Isola Bella right opposite. Here, no grand marble hall: the atmosphere remains that of an enlarged family home, with terraced gardens and umbrella pines. Standard room from 2 330 € per night, a rate that includes access to a private beach rare on this rocky coast. The service remains attentive without being stiff, in the Belmond tradition. The infinity pool overlooks the cove, but keeps a modest size compared to the neighbouring hotel liners. We come here for the sea, not for the architecture, and the hotel owns it. 😌

La Plage Resort stretches along the seafront of Taormina, just a few metres from the sand. The score rises to 9.1/10 from 644 reviews, a rare score for a beach establishment of this size. We like the direct beachfront location, a real plus in a region where many hotels announce the sea without ever really touching it. The rooms remain designed for family stays, with adapted options and domestic pets accepted. The spa and fitness centre complete the wellness offer, with free Wi-Fi available everywhere, including on the terrace. Count from 686 € per night, a rate that places the address in the upper Sicilian market. The free private parking, a rare detail for a 5-star on the seafront, seriously simplifies arrival by car. 😌

The NH Collection Taormina occupies an overhanging position, via Circonvallazione, on the heights of the town. The façade is sober, contemporary, far from the historic palazzi of the centre. Inside, we find the NH Collection codes: clean lines, light materials, subdued lighting in the common areas. The outdoor pool remains the number one asset, surrounded by sun loungers with views over the Sicilian hills. The spa and fitness centre complete the wellness offer, welcome after a day of walking in the steep alleys of Taormina. Count from 810 € per night, a rate that places the establishment in the upper end of the local market. The service remains efficient, without the extra soul of a historic house 😌.

The Palazzo Vecchio Taormina occupies a steep alley in the historic centre, Salita Ciampoli, a few steps from Corso Umberto. The façade remains discreet, almost anonymous, but the interior opens onto volumes more ample than expected from the street. We like the spa, rare in an establishment of this size in Taormina, designed for a moment of relaxation after the climb into town. The non-smoking and family rooms cover a wide range, from the honeymoon couple to the multi-generational family. Count from 840 € per night, a rate that places the address among the most expensive in the city without offering all the codes of the classic palace. The restaurant does the job without excessive pretension, and room service allows skipping the steps when the Sicilian heat weighs. The airport shuttle remains the most concrete argument for those arriving in Catania without wanting to negotiate a taxi. 😌