Taormina Hotels The Luxury Report

Taormina Hotels

Taormina is a beautiful resort city in Sicily, filled with luxury hotels.

You can find many exciting things to see and do in Taormina.

One of my favorite hotels is the Grand Timeo Taormina Hotel.

This luxury hotel is owned by the Belmond brand.

Taormina Hotels the Belmond Brand

The Belmond brand also owns another hotel in Taormina, the luxury hotel Sant’Andrea.

Hotel Sant’Andrea

While I was staying at the Grand Timeo Hotel I could not wait to see the Hotel Sant’Andrea.

When I was home researching a hotel in Manhattan, I could not choose between the two luxury hotels.

They both looked so fabulous.

Reading Taormina Hotel Reviews

I studied the comments on Trip Advisor and found that everyone liked both hotels …

… to the “five star” level.

Yet as I always do when reading reviews, I read “between the lines.”

For example, I really appreciate a gorgeous luxury bathroom in any hotel I choose …

… so I’m always looking for this in reviews as a key word to help me make my decision.

Romantic Luxury Hotels

Another keyword of a review I look out for is “romance.”

I travel alone a lot for my position as a wine competition judge and consultant, yet sometimes I travel with my husband as well.

When I do, I really look out for the ultimate in fabulous luxury rooms.

This also extends to the facilities of the hotel itself, in terms of swimming pools, proximity to the beach, and more.

Comparing the Grand Timeo Luxury Hotel Against the Sant’Andrea

Both hotels are owned by the Belmond, and for this reason, there is really no need to choose between them.

What I mean to say is that you can enjoy the best of what both hotels choffer.

If you book a room at the Grand Timeo, you have access to a complimentary shuttle that will take you to the Sant’Andrea for dinner, or a day at the beach.

Cabana at the Sant’Andrea Private Beach

Taormina Hotels

If you would like, you can even rent a cabana on the beach as the Sant’Andrea is located directly on one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily.

You may even want to have lunch or dinner at the Sant’Andrea to enjoy a beach view instead of the fabulous view of Mount Etna at Hotel Timeo.

Or, you may be a beach lover who loves the sea and sun, and falling asleep to the lapping waves …. or see the moon reflected on the water.

In this scenario, you may want to stay at the Sant’Andrea and visit the Grand Timeo by the shuttle for dinner or lunch …

… or to take in the historical sites.

Traveling with Children in Taormina Hotels

Both hotels are romantic and offer every comfort.

That said, one deciding factor might be if you are traveling with children.

Most kids would rather play in the sand and swim in the water, than be dragged to historical monuments in the hot sun.

So it seems logical that families might prefer to book the Sant’Andrea for this reason.

History of the Sant’Andrea

While both the Grand Timeo and Sant’Andrea are lavish hotels, the Sant’Andrea has a more intimate feel.

The reason for this is that the Sant’Andrea started out as a private home for a wealthy English family.

Cornishman civil engineer Robert Trewhella came to Italy around 1850 to help develop the country’s infrastructure.

Robert married, and the couple moved to Cantania (an hour from Taormina) and began to build a lavish beachfront villa where Sant’Andrea stands today.

Their son Alfred Percy completed the villa in 1919, and then expanded the property.

Intrigue and Secrets

With the arrival of the Second World War, the family returned to England.

German officers requisitioned the property.

Yet the family’s loyal gardener, Giuseppe Moschella, and his son Michael saved the fine antiques and valuables of the house.

Post-War Year Glamor

The family returned to Taormina in 1950 and opened the property as a hotel.

It attracted many wealthy and famous visitors, including Sir Winston Churchill.

In 1965 the hotel passed to Percy’s grandson Richard Manley and his wife, who renovated the property.

The even more lavish property attracted stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Peter O’Toole.

History of Glamorous Guests

Taormina Hotels

During the production of The Godfather, the Sant’Andrea served as the residence for Francis Ford Coppola and stars of the film.

One night Francis Ford Coppola even cooked spaghetti al pomodoro for the other actors.

Today Part of the Belmond Brand

The Sant’Andrea became part of the Belmond brand in 2010.

When you visit, you can see all the luxury renovations such as the gorgeous pool overlooking the bay.

You can also find luxury cabanas on the private beach, as well as a new wing housing seaview suites.

Scented Suites?!

Lucky guests who love gardens will enjoy staying in one of the new Scented Suites that are inspired by fragrances found in the hotel garden.

They include Neroli (bitter orange flower oil, Gelsomino (jasmine), and Zagara (orange blossom).

My Thoughts on Sant’Andrea

Both these hotels are gorgeous with luxury-oriented services.

It was a hard decision to make from Manhattan, especially since it would be my first trip to Sicily as well as Taormina.

Like you, perhaps, I read everything I could in order to figure out what to see and do in the main city of Taormina.
Especially with regard to Taormina hotels

I hoped that this would help me make my decision.

As I was traveling alone and my main objective was to see the historic sites (and also buy jewelry from the gorgeous shops) it made sense for me to stay at the Grand Timeo.

One key reason is because the Grand Timeo is literally a few steps from the Greek Theater.

I spent hours taking pictures at the Greek Theater, and fantasizing about what a colorful history it had in the past.

Even today, you can attend operas and concerts at this ancient theater.

Another reason is because I wanted to spend time walking around the city of Taormina, but have a quick escape back to the air-conditioned luxury of my hotel when the crowds or the heat became too intense.