Via Luigi Pirandello 60, Taormina, Italy | 39 0942 23 342
Hillside location with spectacular views of the sea and Mount Etna
15-minute walk to restaurants and attractions in town
Spacious rooms, many with balconies or terraces and gorgeous sea views
All rooms are air-conditioned and have flat-screen TVs
Free breakfast buffet in lovely breakfast room with terrace
Weekly gala night includes dinner and entertainment
Room service is available
Bar for soft drinks and cocktails
Computer desk in lobby
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Less mobile guests may find walkways and stairs difficult to maneuver
No pool and limited features, generally speaking
Breakfast and weekly gala nights are only meals available
Some parts of hotel are a bit rundown
A few complaints about noise and limited hot water
The 33-room Bel Soggiorno Hotel is a two-and-a-half-pearl hillside option with gorgeous views of the sea and Mount Etna. It's a historic hotel that is a bit old-fashioned, but guests can walk to town and its attractions in about 15 minutes. Rooms are basic, but they have balconies or terraces with spectacular sea views. A free breakfast buffet is served daily in a lovely solarium with a terrace overlooking the sea. There's no other meal service except a weekly gala night with dinner and entertainment, but there is a bar in the lobby. Travelers who'd like an option with a pool could check out the Soleado, which also has lower rates and is a little closer to town. However, it lacks the views found here.
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Scene
Historic, family-run hotel with quirky charm plus gardens and gorgeous sea views
Founded in 1908, this family-run place is packed with history and old-fashioned charm. It's housed in a white stone Moorish-style building, and lush plants and flowers line the walkway to the entrance. Inside, the huge lobby is grand, with rich rugs atop tiled floors, antique furniture and art, and wrought-iron chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Bookcases are crammed with books, and there's Sicilian art all around. Outside, the terraces are beautiful places to pause and take in the views of the sea and surrounding hillsides. The grounds are full of citrus and olive trees, cacti, and flowering bougainvillea, and while it's mostly calm, tour groups do pass through and can be a little boisterous. Additionally, some parts of the hotel are looking a little run down. It's most popular with couples, but families and the aforementioned groups also make their way here.
Location
Hillside location overlooking the sea, a 15-minute walk outside of town
This hotel is situated on a hillside overlooking the sea, about a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive outside Taormina. It is an uphill walk, however, so some guests may prefer not to walk. Several restaurants are found along the way and in town. The hotel's hillside location provides spectacular views of the sea and Mount Etna from rooms and public areas. Guests also can walk downhill to the beaches, or take the cable car or bus. Catania Fontanarossa Airport is about an hour away by car.
Rooms
Basic rooms with flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, balconies or terraces, some with spectacular views
Rooms are rather plain, but spacious, with high ceilings, tile floors, soft color schemes, and antique furniture including wrought-iron headboards and nightstands. The white walls and drapery help amplify the sense of space, though things are looking rather tired. Bedspreads come in colors like beige, blue, green, or pink, and small pieces of traditional art hang on the walls. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and safes, but there are no mini-fridges or electric kettles. Tiled bathrooms feature hairdryers, bidets, showers or shower/tub combos, and toiletries. Hot water can sometimes be an issue. Bi-level quadruple rooms have sofa beds upstairs for additional sleeping space, as well as a second TV. Most rooms have balconies with beautiful views of the sea and hillside. Some guests have reported noise carrying from other guests, particularly when tour groups pass through.
Features
Free breakfast, gala night with dinner and entertainment, bar, free parking, and free Wi-Fi
This small hotel doesn't have much in the way of features -- and the lack of a pool is a bummer -- but its solarium breakfast room is quaint and lovely. Breakfast is included in rates, and features a decent selection of continental items, including local specialties. Guests also can dine on the veranda in nice weather, with stunning views of the sea from both inside and out. Room service also is available. The hotel hosts a gala night once per week, with dinner and live entertainment. There's also a bar. A desk in the lobby is set up with two computers for guests to use. Free parking is available on the access road to the hotel, but spaces are limited and tight. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
