Panoramic Hotel

Open since 2009, this hotel is well-named, as the views it provides truly are panoramic -- and spectacular. It sits on a hillside overlooking a small bay, and vistas from all around the hotel are stunning, especially from the rooftop pool and terrace. With just 23 rooms, the hotel is small and intimate, and public areas rarely feel crowded. During non-peak months, guests sometimes find they have the pool or terrace pretty much to themselves. The place isn't fancy or glitzy, but it is modern and attractive, with the focus on the beautiful natural surroundings. Although the hotel is situated on a busy road, it's mostly quiet inside. This place is a good choice for tourists who would rather be closer to the beach than town, though the city center is still easily accessible. It's most popular with couples, but families, groups, and some single travelers also make their way here. 

Panoramic's location is its prime feature. The hotel is situated on Via Nazionale, the busy road that runs along the coast of Sicily and through Taormina. Given its hilltop setting, the hotel provides beautiful views and one-minute walking access to the beach below (with Isola Bella visible out in the water). Keep in mind that there are lots of steps required to reach the beach. Several hotels and other commercial establishments are nearby, and a few restaurants and cafes are within a five- to 10-minute walk. The cable car is a short walk away for a five-minute ride into Taormina, or guests can drive to town in about 10 minutes. The Greco-Roman theater -- or Teatro Antico di Taormina -- is among the sights there and is well worth a visit for its beauty as well as for the many events held there. Expect about a 45-minute drive to the Catania Fontanarossa Airport. 

Rooms are simple and clean, with hand-crafted modern birch-veneer furniture, porcelain tile floors, crisp color schemes of blue, beige, and white, and contemporary artwork and lighting. Flat-screen TVs with satellite channels are mounted on the wall, and air-conditioning and heating are adjustable. Minibars come stocked with water, soft drinks, and beer. Sadly, Wi-Fi isn't free. Unlike the rooms, the modern bathrooms are awash in bold colors, with tile in saturated shades of blue or pink and purple covering all surfaces. Some guests may find them a bit garish. They come with bidets, showers, magnifying mirrors, toiletries, and hairdryers. Robes and slippers also are provided. The best feature of the rooms is that they all have furnished balconies with stunning views of the sea. There are rooms to accommodate groups of two or three, plus connecting rooms for families as well. Keep in mind that noise can be an issue between rooms. 

With the focus on its gorgeous setting, this hotel doesn't offer much in the way of features. Its breakfast room is a sunny space with seating both inside and out on the terrace. Views of the sea are breathtaking, especially from the terrace. A breakfast buffet with hot and cold items is served here daily, and is included with most bookings. The bar is open in nice weather, serving traditional Sicilian light fare during the day. Guests can dine at tables or lounge on cushy wicker sofas and chairs while taking in the views. The rectangular rooftop pool and terrace also provide those gorgeous views from the fifth floor. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are lined up on the wooden deck around the pool and on the spacious terrace, which is partially covered in bright green Astroturf. The hotel assists guests with booking boat trips and other excursions, and there's garage parking (for a fee) -- a plus as it's difficult to find parking nearby. Wi-Fi is available for a fee.