Hotels in Taormina
Lodging options in Taormina range from army cots to sumptuous suites. Be prepared, however, to pay a king's ransom, and don't be too surprised if what's deemed four-star here passes for a nondescript three-star anywhere else.
If you're coming primarily to hit the beach, at least in July and August, you may want to stay at Mazzarò, 5km (3 miles) from the center, and trek up the hill for shopping, nightlife, and dining. Mazzarò is the major beach and has some fine hotels. Buses and cablecars connecting Mazzarò and Taormina leave every 30 minutes daily from 8am to 9pm; the fare is 1.50€. Otherwise, I recommend that you stay in Taormina -- it has far more charm than anything down by the sea.
In summer, the curse of Taormina hotels is the noise, from traffic as well as from visitors who turn the town into an all-night party. If you're a light sleeper and you've chosen a hotel along Corso Umberto, ask for a room in the rear -- you'll be trading a view for a good night's sleep.
If you're driving to a hotel at the top of Taormina, call ahead to see what arrangements can be made for your car. Ask for exact driving directions as well as instructions on where to park -- the narrow, winding, one-way streets can be bewildering once you get here.
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7 Results
- Hotel
Excelsior Palace
The word “palace” in the name is a bit misleading—this sprawling pink hotel, just off Corso Umberto behind the Duomo, dates only to the early 20th century. Rooms have not been upgraded since a time when burnt-orange bathroom tiles and floral carpets were all the rage, but they’re…$$Around town
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Hotel Bel Soggiorno
You could be nowhere but Sicily in this rather grand old villa surrounded by lush gardens that tumble down a hillside, filled with lemon and orange trees, exotic flowers, and sweeping coastal vistas. Tile-floored guest rooms are plain but comfortable, with handsome iron bedsteads and…$$Around town - Hotel
Mazzarò Sea Palace
The leading hotel in Mazzarò opens onto the most beautiful bay in Sicily and has its own private beach. Completed in 1962, this government-rated five-star deluxe hotel has been renovated frequently since. From the coastal highway, you won't be able to see very much of this…$$$Mazzarò - Hotel
San Domenico Palace
This is one of Italy's greatest hotels, so impressive that it evokes a national monument. Set in the town's oldest neighborhood, it originated in the 14th century as a Dominican monastery. Today it's surrounded by walled-in terraced gardens that are lit at night by flickering…$$$Around Town - Hotel
Villa Carlotta
Tucked away at the edge of town, this castellated 1920s stone villa is another creation of Andrea and Rosaria Quartucci, who work their magic at Villa Ducale. A wall of Byzantine catacombs adds an air of mystery, but what wins you over is the classic-yet-contemporary style and…$$$Around town - Hotel
Villa Ducale
Andrea and Rosaria Quartucci have fashioned a family villa into a warm and stylish getaway perched high on a hillside above the town, with flower-planted terraces, Mediterranenan gardens, and extraordinary eagle’s-nest views that extend as far as Calabria. Distinctive rooms and…$$$Around town - Hotel
Villa Paradiso
Lady Florence Trevelyan, who created the beautiful gardens that are now the Villa Communale, lived in this villa until her death in 1907. The elegant house then passed to the Martorana family, three generations of whom have proven to be outstanding hoteliers and avid renovators,…$$Around town
