Hotel Review • Europe • Italy • Sicily • Taormina
Grand Hotel Timeo: Sicilian Glamour and Garden Views in Taormina
Step into Sicilian elegance at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina’s first hotel, where historic charm, cinematic views, and timeless glamour define the stay.
By Lindsay Cohn
Why it works
Hotel Snapshot
Taormina (a destination fans of White Lotus are sure to recognize) is a well-heeled resort on the eastern coast of Sicily. A fashionable favorite even before its silver screen debut, the holiday hotspot has plenty of five-star stays. However, few have earned the admiration of Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina—the first hotel to be built in town and one with an enduring legacy.
Design & Character
The flower-framed entrance gives guests a small hint of what’s to come: an oasis of timeless Sicilian glamour in the center of it all. It’s fabulous, not fussy, polished but without pomp. Encircled by grassy lawns and fragrant blooms, Grand Hotel Timeo offers a warm, refined respite to relax in between sightseeing and shopping. The historic villa is decorated with plush furnishings, priceless antiques, and paintings. Characterful indoor spaces spill out onto the lush, tiered gardens.
The Rooms
Split between the main building and Villa Flora next door, the 70 rooms and suites, like the rest of the hotel, are an elegant, Sicilian Baroque-style affair, featuring intricate trim work, sumptuous fabrics, gilded mirrors, and marble bathrooms. While all the accommodations exude an undeniable grace and charm, the Presidential Suite is especially jaw-dropping with two bedrooms, a huge private terrace, a jacuzzi, and views of Europe's most active volcano.
Food & Drink
While there are plenty of excellent restaurants, guests don’t have to leave for an unforgettable meal—or the sweeping views of the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna that all the dining and drinking outlets afford. Ristorante Timeo serves regional classics such as Palermitan-style swordfish rolls and paccheri with tuna ragout. Otto Geleng, named after the 19th-century artist who put Taormina on the map and helmed by Executive Chef Roberto Toro, earned a Michelin star for its modern Sicilian gastronomy.
Dishes are paired with fine local wines and standout service. For something more casual, the Timeo Grill, open seasonally, cooks up skewers, salads, and pizzas. The pool bar pours refreshing spritzes in the summer months. Literary giants such as D.H. Lawrence, Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams have sipped spirits and engaged in stimulating conversation at the convivial Bar Timeo. Patrons can imbibe on the panoramic terrace or the cozy indoor lounge, fashioned after a 19th-century winter garden.
The Amenities
There’s no denying that the manicured gardens are Grand Hotel Timeo’s best asset (of course, that’s by design, and certainly a labor of love). Though anyone visiting in July might give the swimming pool the edge. During the summer months, the panoramic piscine is the perfect reprieve from the baking heat. No judgment if you bail on yet another sightseeing tour in favor of a few more hours floating and catching rays on a sun lounger.
The property operates a complimentary scheduled shuttle to Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare, where guests have access to the blissful Lido Villeggiatura beach club.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
Shaded underneath towering cypress, Le Jardin des Rêves at Grand Hotel Timeo is a stylish and exclusive skin-care sanctuary where Dior-powered, high-touch treatments take place in toile-dressed tree houses. For some splurge-y “me time,” book the Dior Sicilian Harmony, which combines massage and energy healing for the face and body or opt for a glow-boosting Golden Aura facial. Relaxation-seekers can extend the self-care with Sicilian-inspired rituals, such as volcanic scrubs, plus sauna and steam bath sessions at the wellness area. There’s also a fitness center for those who prefer slogging on an incline treadmill to climbing stairs (though, fair warning: it’s virtually impossible to get around the steps in Taormina).
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Grand Hotel Timeo is situated in the center of the town’s pedestrianized downtown core, steps from the Greek Theatre (Teatro Antico di Taormina) and designer shopping along Corso Umberto I. When in Sicily, you must try granita. And the best (and perhaps most famous) place to get your fix of the sweet and refreshing treat is Bam Bar. Come hungry for bruschetta and skillet pasta at Osteria da Rita. Be sure to arrive early, as reservations aren’t accepted and people queue up.
Fast Facts
Location: Taormina, Sicily, Italy
Vibe: A hillside sanctuary of Sicilian glamour and grandeur in the heart of Taormina.
Rating: Five-star
Room Count: 70 rooms and suites
Pricing: From $1,176 a night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: While admiring the gardens and glorious views, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that the tourist bustle of Taormina exists just outside.
Dining: Guests can start the day with a decadent breakfast of pasties and granita. Lobster salad and pizza are on the menu for lunch at Timeo Grill. In the evening, choose between Ristorante Timeo or Michelin-starred Otto Geleng (just be sure to make a reservation). For swimsuit-clad sips, it’s the pool bar. When you’re ready to throw on a chic outfit, the storied Timeo Bar awaits. Room service is also available.
Amenities: 3 restaurants, 2 bars, swimming pool, Dior spa, fitness center, concierge; complimentary scheduled shuttle to Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare
Nearby Attractions: The hotel sits a matter of feet from Teatro Antico di Taormina. It’s a short walk from the rest of Taormina’s scenic attractions, including Corso Umberto I, Villa Comunale di Taormina, Duomo di Taormina, and the cable car down to Taormina Mare.
Airport: Vincenzo Bellini Catania Airport (CTA)
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