Ever since the premiere of the new season of HBO’s The White Lotus, interest in traveling to Sicily has skyrocketed. Scenes from the show depict a charming hilly setting where tourists ride Vespas on the winding roads and the turquoise blue waters is always in sight. There are scenes of trendy beach clubs, luxury shopping in town, and lots of pasta and wine. I’ve been asked: Is this really what traveling to Sicily is like? A stay at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo comes pretty close!

In March of 2022 I was traveling through Europe and I visited Taormina for the first time and fell in love. From the lovely beaches at the bottom of the hill to the charming restaurants and panoramic views at the top of the hill, I know Taormina was a great place to be. I had the pleasure of staying at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo during my visit in Taormina, and would highly recommend this property for the right guests!

Location

In Taormina, you either want to stay on top of the hill or at the bottom. The top of the hill is where the town of Taormina is with shops, restaurants, and a charming town center. The bottom of the hill is where the beaches and beach clubs are. Travelers who prefer to stay beach side and have an itinerary of beach club hopping and boat excursions will typically stay at the bottom of the hill.

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is located on the top of the hill in Taormina, just a few minutes walking from the city center. The hotel is also located next to the Ancient Greek Theater, a must-see attraction in town. Noise is not an issue here despite the crowds lingering to get to the nearby theater as the hotel is strategically placed cliffside with staggered terraces facing the ocean. Note that there are two buildings on property: the main building and Villa Flora.

Getting to Taormina is straightforward: either fly to Catania (CTA) or take a train to Taormina Giardini. While you won’t find any direct flights to Catania from the US, you can easily connect in a major European city and fly direct from there. The train is simple for travelers already in Italy, as the train station is just at the bottom of the hill from Taormina. Travelers coming from mainland Italy will experience a unique train ride where the train stops and embarks on a ferry before continuing onto Sicily!

First Impressions

From the outside, the Grand Hotel Timeo doesn’t look anything special. The entrance is understated being next to the gates for the Ancient Greek Theater. Just past the hotel sign through the small garden and grove of orange trees leads to the lobby and a breathtaking sight of the Mediterranean. The lobby, bar, and restaurants are all on the same floor, with rooms being primarily on lower levels.

Rooms

There are 46 rooms and 24 suites across two buildings at Grand Hotel Timeo. Most, if not all, rooms in the Timeo building have sea views as the layout of the building is staggered cliffside in the direction of the Mediterranean. Rooms range in size from 250 sq ft. all the way to a 1,000 sq ft. two bedroom suite. There are no two rooms alike at this property, and while the decor within room categories may be similar, the room layouts can vary widely.

Pro Tip: I highly recommend being specific with room preferences at this property (i.e. prefers a room with high ceilings, high floor, and/or larger windows, etc.) because the room layouts can vary widely between categories.

During my stay I was delighted to be informed that I was upgraded to a Deluxe Sea View Suite with Balcony. This suite was located in the main building and featured a separate living room and bedroom. Stepping into the suite, the first thing I noticed was the incredible view of Taormina and the Mediterranean beyond the tall windows. The ceilings were tall and the floor was a warm finished wood tying in the classic Sicilian baroque style together.

The bathroom was embellished with pure white marble and a separate bathtub by the window overlooking the marvelous view. Aqua di Parma products dotted the double marble vanity, and the inviting shower featured a well-pressured rain shower. The bedroom was spacious and cozy fitting a king bed, a second balcony door, and a writing desk. The living area boasted a walk-in closet, a comfortable sofa, another work desk, and double doors leading to the balcony. The balcony was by far the best feature of this suite as the view was breathtaking!

Villa Flora

Now, I have to mention Villa Flora as this separate building seems to cause confusion among visitors to Grand Hotel Timeo. Villa Flora is a former country house located just 10 steps away from the entrance gate of the main hotel. There are only 2 floors at Villa Flora and most of the rooms have city or garden views. You will find more family-friendly options at Villa Flora, but without the stellar views you’d get in the Timeo building.

Pro Tip: All of the hotel amenities and restaurants are located in the Timeo building. I recommend Villa Flora for a more quiet, private, and larger family stay.

Style

Belmond’s Grand Hotel Timeo feels unquestionably Italian, and more specifically, Sicilian. The hotel has adopted a Sicilian baroque motif which includes neutral colors, creams, pinks, combined with multiple textures such as warm woods and painted metals. The atmosphere of the hotel feels like a glamorous Italian getaway, and the staff aren’t afraid to mention that Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor were former guests of the hotel!

Restaurants

There is one main restaurant on property serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner: Ristorante Timeo. This chic restaurant offers outdoor seating with fantastic sea views and a laid back vibe. The menu is authentically Sicilian with a Mediterranean twist and a large local wine menu. I would highly recommend popping over to Bar Timeo for a nightcap and enjoy the live music and relaxing ambiance.

From June through September, the Pool Grill opens for an al fresco lunch option. The Pool Grill specializes in grilled meat and seat food in their Josper charcoal oven, and it’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon after swimming. Additionally, a new concept café called Louis Vuitton Cafe by Timeo is open seasonally on Corso Umberto inside the LV store – perfect for a light bite after shopping.

Amenities

There is no shortage of amenities at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. Unlike other luxury properties in Taormina, this hotel has the benefit of sharing amenities with their sister hotel just down the hill. That’s right! As a guest of Timeo, you’ll have access to all of the facilities of Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, their beachfront sister property at the bottom of the hill.

As part of that partnership, guests have access to additional amenities, such as: a complimentary shuttle service to and from the hotels, a complimentary scenic boat ride in the summer months, and access to their private beach club. The sister property even has a kid’s club in the summer months that can care for kids while parents enjoy their beach time. I often have clients who stay at Villa Sant’Andrea for a couple of days and then move to Timeo for the rest of the time in Taormina.

Spa

Not only is the spa at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo top-notch with a long menu of treatments to choose from, but there is also a pop-up Dior Spa in the garden. The Dior Spa consists of a handful of beautiful teal spa suites perched among the garden and trees with an outward view toward the bay. You can also enjoy the spa at Villa Sant’Andrea for an oceanfront spa experience. A spa treatment at the hotel is a must for a relaxing stay!

Activities

Taormina is brimming with activity options, more so than the western side of Sicily. Not only do you have the craters near Mt. Etna, but you are spoiled for choice when it comes to wineries. If you’re not into land adventures, then conveniently you have the sea and the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily you could visit. Here are a few MUST-DO activity suggestions through Viator, one of the most popular activity hosting websites – I’ve personally booked with them many times and recommend clients to use them!

Disclaimer: These are affiliate links which, when clicked and booked, generate a small income to sustain the blog at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Villa Sant’Andrea vs. Grand Hotel Timeo

One of the top reasons I recommend clients stay at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo are the shared amenities with Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, their sister property. This property is located at the bottom of the hill right in front of the ocean, and is only open seasonally when the weather is warm. There are 69 rooms at Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, most of them with beautiful sea views. The sister property has an amazing seafood restaurant by the water called Ristorante Sant’Andrea and is not to be missed!

I’m often asked which property in Taormina I recommend between the two. If you don’t have time to split your time and stay a few days at each, here are the differences I tell clients:

Recommended Clients

With Taormina, and Sicily in general, becoming a booming tourist destination, the luxury hotel competition is tight. Between the Belmond and the Four Seasons, travelers are spoilt for choice. Staying at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo offers greater amenities and, in my opinion, a more authentic Sicilian experience compared to the Four Seasons. That’s not to say the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace isn’t great – I would recommend them if travelers are looking for the classic White Lotus experience. After all, it was filmed there!

As usual, here is my breakdown of the Pros and Cons of staying at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina:

I recommend this property for couples, families, or solo travelers looking for an authentic luxury Sicilian experience. Travelers who want to feel like they’re living la dolce vita in one of the most glamorous properties without being over the top. I also recommend this property for clients who want to experience the town of Taormina and the Sicilian beach life. The pricing at Timeo is typically more approachable than the Four Seasons, so guests who are looking for luxury without breaking the bank will find the Belmond a great fit!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I had a great stay at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo and I can see why clients love staying at this property. The service and amenities are beyond excellent, and the added benefit of enjoying the beach club at Villa Sant’Andrea puts it above the competition. I would recommend at least 3 nights in Taormina, or longer if travelers plan to use it as a base to explore the East side of Sicily. There is so much to do in this part of Sicily from Mt. Etna wineries, visiting the craters, taking a scenic boat ride, day trips to Noto and beyond, and more that I highly suggest staying here for longer.

Remember – if you book with me I will be able to get you these additional FREE PERKS at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo:

• Upgrade on arrival, based on availability
• VIP Welcome Treats in room
• Complimentary daily breakfast
• $90 hotel credit per room
• $500 Belmond voucher when spending over $5000 at a Belmond property

Have you ever been to Taormina or Sicily? Let me know in the comments below!