CHECKING-IN

Wow, do we have a good one for you…

Nothing short of breathtaking, the entranceway to the hotel exudes elegance and sophistication. An open space with high ceilings, stunning marble columns and large windows with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, we knew we were in for a treat. Seeing this place upon first impressions was a jaw-dropping, pinch-us moment and we never have or will take these experiences in life for granted.

As you can imagine, the Belmond really lived up to its name, greeting us with a warm welcome and an easy check-in process. So after a delightful arrival, we headed straight out to the terrace for a mid-day Aperol (because sometimes you need to stop and take it all in).

STEP INSIDE 

The rooms are understated and simplistic yet still have a luxury aesthetic, elegantly furnished with a king-size bed, writing desk and a marble bathroom. We stayed in the classic room (because sadly we’re not at presidential suite status just yet) however this felt like more than enough luxury for us, providing everything we could need and more; air-con, flat-screen TVs, minibars and free Wi-Fi - all the essentials.

The views from our terrace were everything we could have dreamed of; the ocean, Mount Etna and the stunning gardens (see here to be blown away by our view). In our opinion, although stunning; the rooms aren’t the main selling point of the hotel for us, however, we definitely have nothing to complain about (we heard one suite even has a private jacuzzi... imagine).

Like most places in the world, images (although as fabulous as ours are) still cannot do this hotel justice, you really must see this for yourself. 

POOLSIDE + GARDENS

For us, the pinnacle of the hotel is the botanical gardens and pool area, with 80’s style sun loungers, parasols and heated waters, set against a backdrop of the ocean, a volcano and the mountains, this area seamlessly blends luxury with natural beauty. The pool staff are super-attentive, keeping you hydrated and taken care of. We recommend checking out the poolside bar - take it from us, the Malfy gin is 10/10 (we tried every flavour) and is perfect for a lazy afternoon by the pool to unwind, relax and tan - we always get such a deep tan in Italy and we love it. 

FINE DINING + LATE-NIGHT COCKTAILS AL FRESCO 

We would eat here purely for the views alone. Ristorante Massimo Mantarro offers a sophisticated dining experience with stunning views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. We were big fans of the menu, which features a variety of Sicilian dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our fave must-try dishes were the Caponata Siciliana, Busiate alla Trapanese (basically Sicilian pasta and pesto) and Involtini di Pesce Spada (Swordfish Rolls, just wow).

The restaurant is open all day and you can choose to dine in the indoor dining room (so elegant and sophisticated) or on the beautiful outdoor terrace. The hotel bar ‘Bar Tre Scalini" offers a range of liquors with a cosy and intimate atmosphere, definitely go and check this out in the evening - the perfect spot for a nightcap.

One thing you should know about us… we love a saxophone, it just sets the tone beautifully for every occasion so we have agreed the live music on the terrace was the highlight of our stay, see here (breathtaking). The hotel also offers an intimate piano bar, where guests can relax and enjoy a drink while listening to live piano music, open every evening which also provides 10/10 vibes.

INSIDE INTEL

Alongside the restaurants, Timeo also has a business area where you can get some work done, a state-of-the-art fitness centre if you love a gym session on holiday and also a stunning ballroom, an ideal Italian wedding or honeymoon contender in our eyes.. we imagine weddings here would be like something out of a movie.

For beach lovers, a buggy is provided by the hotel down to the beach and sister hotel Villa Sant’Andrea (for more details on this hotel see here). This is a must-visit, the most stunning beach we have ever stepped foot on.

The hotel is located quite literally in the heart of Taormina, providing easy access to various attractions and local experiences in the area, is neighbours with the famous Teatro Antico di Taormina and is also just a 5-minute walk to the square, perfect for exploring the town and an easy walk to dinner at night. The hotel has a 10/10 concierge service that will help with restaurant reservations, tour bookings and other arrangements.

If you love the Taormina nightlife, there are a few late-night spots only a short walk away. See our Inside Guide to Taormina for all of fave hotspots and things to do.        

Whether you're thinking of booking a room or just browsing, read our full Taormina Guide here for all other hotel options, where to eat, what to see and where to soiree.