Italy

When Goethe called Taormina a “piece of paradise on earth,” he may well have been describing Villa Sant'Andrea. Along one of Italy's most picturesque bays on a private beach with exclusive cabanas, this villa is just a courtesy shuttle ride away from the town center. Rest in blissful refuge in one of 69 elegantly furnished guest rooms. Take in panoramic views from the heated outdoor swimming pool. Revel in complimentary morning boat cruises, relish fresh seafood at Ristorante Sant'Andrea, and relax with a soothing massage in your room or beneath an orange tree. Little guests can enjoy fun activities at the dedicated Smile Club.

However eminent the clientele, the secluded hideaway still feels like a beautiful private home. Set in subtropical gardens, it boasts a heated infinity pool overlooking the crystalline bay, open-air wellness treatments and stylish cabanas on the pebble beach. Guests can soak up the view from their private loungers, sip cocktails served by the beach butler or plunge in with snorkels to explore the hidden coves. Lavish, light-filled accommodation reflects the Sicilian palette. Balconies bloom with jewel-like geraniums. In the garden-inspired Scented Suites, details include copper bathtubs, bright ceramics and vintage movie posters. At the acclaimed restaurant, freshly caught fish and decadent Sicilian desserts are enhanced by shimmering sea views. The bar provides an enchanting spot for daytime granita or scenic sundowners. Romantic dinners can be set up on the beach. Tailor-made activities embrace nautical, culinary and volcanic adventures. A courtesy shuttle takes guests to enjoy sister property Grand Hotel Timeo in vibrant Taormina town.

Grand Hotel Timeo, a Belmond Hotel, is a storied hideaway in the heart of Taormina. Set high on rugged cliffs, next to the magnificent Greek Theatre, its views span majestic Mount Etna and shimmering Naxos Bay. Since the mid-1800s, this tranquil enclave has proved irresistible to celebrated writers and Hollywood icons alike. Its famed Literary Terrace has welcomed Oscar Wilde, DH Lawrence and Truman Capote, as well as dolce vita icons Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Though close to the action, the hotel is in its own serene world, far from the crowds. Within six acres of lush parkland, bougainvillea and roses bloom. Guests can cool off in a scenic swimming pool, enjoy alfresco massages and linger over gourmet picnics on the manicured lawns. Sun-filled rooms and suites are furnished in true Sicilian style. Many boast hypnotic views of the coast and Mount Etna or medieval rooftops.

Follow in the footsteps of Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren and experience the glamour, romance, and luxe way of life at Grand Hotel Timeo. Located beside an ancient Greek theater, its 70 guest rooms are decorated in exquisite Italian baroque, and most boast views of the sea and Mount Etna. Stroll through town to shop for ceramics and visit local artisans, then visit the hotel's Wellness Centre, set within the verdant park, for a spa treatment made with local flowers and fruit essences. Dinner on the terrace overlooking majestic Mount Etna features tantalizing Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine. Michelin-starred cuisine and Sicilian specialities are savoured against a backdrop of sea, sky and mountain. To sip a cocktail on the Literary Terrace, beneath the volcano’s ever-present gaze, is an unforgettable experience. Exclusive activities include tours of Taormina by Ape Calessino, Sicilian cooking classes with local mammas, wine tastings on Mount Etna and rare access to noble palaces and artists’ studios in baroque Noto. A courtesy shuttle winds down to sister hotel, Villa Sant’Andrea, on a stunning private beach. Luxurious beach cabanas and candlelit waterside dining await.

Situated in an elevated position above Taormina, life in Hotel Villa Ducale revolves around its stunning terrace. From here you can enjoy the most wonderful views across the Taormina coastline and Mount Etna and relax over a gorgeous Sicilian buffet breakfast, created daily with only the freshest of produce. This romantic retreat blends authentic charm with modern designer style and staff who make every stay extra special.

Relax in the hotel's serene gardens or head out to one of the quiet beaches nearby. But the views are the feather in this hotel’s cap. Gaze at Giardini Naxos Bay, the Straits of Messina and Mount Etna from your bedroom – or the panoramic terrace. Here, afternoons are made for coffee and cake, while cocktail hour is at 6pm. Nibble complimentary canapés, clink glasses and say ‘salute’ as the sun goes down and candlelit tables pop up for dinner. Chef Santina inherited her grandmother’s passion for cooking, and her delicious cuisine celebrates local, organic ingredients.

An heavenly retreat in the most panoramic area of Taormina, Hotel Villa Carlotta was built in 1860 for a local aristocratic family. With magnificent views across the sea and of Mount Etna, enchanting gardens, excellent Sicilian dining and an outdoor pool, this coastal idyll promises peace and exclusivity. Warm, earthy colours and antiques mix with contemporary styling to create an overall modern feel. Expect utter comfort together with exemplary service and opt to stay in Hotel Villa Carlotta’s two-storey Tower Suite for utter privacy.

Dine in Villa Carlotta restaurant, you can enjoy an informal lunch or romantic candlelight dinner prepared with the best organic local products. Located on the panoramic terrace, the views are spectacular, far reaching over the sparkling Mediterranean and Mount Etna. The town centre is a short stroll away. Head for traffic free Corso Umberto for designer boutiques and plenty of lively cafes and bars, or go diving in the crystal clear waters of Taormina.

San Domenico Palace began in 1432 as a Dominican convent on a Taormina clifftop, facing the Ionian Sea with Mount Etna at its back. In 1896 Prince Cerami added a Liberty-style Grand Hotel wing, creating one of Europe's earliest luxury hotels. Four Seasons reopened it in July 2021 after a renovation by architect Valentina Pisani and restorer Rosaria Catania Cucchiara, whose all-female team revived cloister columns and vaulted frescoes. Awarded Three MICHELIN Keys and known as the set of HBO's The White Lotus Season 2, the hotel holds 111 rooms and suites across two wings — medieval convent and 1896 Grand Hotel — finished in Modica stone, Patagonia marble, and Moroccan Port Laurent black marble with smoked mirrors and bronze details. Many suites have private plunge pools on terraces overlooking Taormina Bay and the Ancient Greek Theatre. A 17th-century portal bearing the Dominican crest opens onto two cloistered courtyards and Italian gardens fragrant with jasmine and hibiscus.

Principe Cerami, named for the prince who made the convent a hotel, holds one Michelin star under Etna-born Chef Massimo Mantarro. His signature cuttlefish tagliatelle atop ink spaghetti with courgette-blossom fondue is a dialogue between sea and land; the terrace overlooks Taormina Bay. Rosso serves local fare against a full Etna panorama; poolside Anciovi focuses on Mediterranean seafood. Bar & Chiostro offers live music among centuries-old cloister columns. Pastry Chef Vincenzo Abagnale comes from the world's former number-one, Mirazur. Botanica Spa has seven treatment rooms, an indoor pool, and a Turkish bath using Sicilian botanicals. A 21-metre clifftop infinity pool pours toward the Ionian Sea while Etna trails smoke on the horizon. A helicopter sunset at an Etna winery, stargazing with an astrophysicist on the volcano, or a Godfather location tour are a concierge call away.