Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina

Taormina, beside the Greek Theatre

Grand Hotel Timeo stands at the top of Taormina, next to the Greek Theatre and a few minutes’ walk from Corso Umberto, the town’s main street of shops, cafés and churches. From the terraces the view runs down the coast to the bay of Naxos and across to Mount Etna. Catania Airport is about an hour away by car.

The hotel’s story began in 1850 as a guesthouse for the artists and painters drawn to Taormina. The German painter Otto Geleng stayed here to paint the Greek Theatre, and his pictures helped bring the town to the world’s attention. Its sister hotel, Villa Sant’Andrea, sits on the beach in the bay below.

Rooms, suites and Villa Timeo

Rooms start at around 25 square metres, Junior Suites at 32 and Suites at 45 to 55, and many look out over the bay, Etna or the gardens. The two Signature Suites, from 71 square metres and sleeping up to five, have the hotel’s widest views. Villa Timeo, recently renovated, adds 21 rooms in a separate building within the grounds, for guests who want a quieter corner of the hotel.

Dior Spa, pool and the beach

The Dior Spa Grand Hotel Timeo offers facials and massages using Dior products, and there is a pool among the gardens and a gym. For the sea, a complimentary shuttle runs down to Lido Villeggiatura, the beach club at Villa Sant’Andrea in the bay of Mazzarò.

Otto Geleng and Sicilian dining

Executive Chef Roberto Toro leads the kitchens. Otto Geleng, the Michelin-starred restaurant, has just 16 tables and serves tasting menus built on Sicilian produce from the sea, the hotel’s vegetable garden and the island’s valleys. Ristorante Timeo and Timeo Grill are more relaxed, and the terrace of Bar Timeo is the place for an aperitivo as the light changes over Etna.

Why book Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel with Berkeley Travel

Berkeley Travel is a member of the Belmond Bellini Club, so every stay we book at Grand Hotel Timeo includes daily breakfast for two, an upgrade on arrival where available, a hotel credit of US$100 per room or US$220 per suite, early check-in and late check-out where possible, and a VIP welcome, at the same rate as booking direct with Belmond.

Your Travel Designer will choose the right room for the view you want, book a table at Otto Geleng, and arrange transfers from Catania, a guided day on Mount Etna with a wine tasting, and boat trips along the coast. Timeo pairs well with a few nights by the sea at Villa Sant’Andrea, and with Caruso on the Amalfi Coast for a longer Italian journey. See more of Italy.