Name: Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare
Address: Via Nazionale, Taromina, Sicily, 98039, Italy

Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare

Sicily, Italy

Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare

Sicily, Italy

About the hotel

Style

Elegant

Rooms

"Perched on an idyllic stretch of the Sicilian coast, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea oozes glamour and old-world charm with its inviting accommodations and divine dining."

It is fitting that Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea began life in the 1950s as a hidden hideaway. Perched on an idyllic stretch of the Sicilian coast, this former villa oozes glamour and old-world charm. Relaxing in such magical surroundings gives new meaning to the phrase ‘la dolce vita’.

A stay here feels like reconnecting with long lost friends. The personality of this elegant private residence has been preserved and the hospitality is warm and friendly. You’ll be greeted with cool homemade lemonade on arrival, and al fresco breakfasts offer a bounty of hand-picked local fruit. It’s these little details that will help you sink into a world of calm, as soothing as the sound of the ocean. Balconies are bejewelled with brightly coloured geraniums, and lush terraced gardens lead down to the picturesque pebbled beach.

The bays in the area are rich with enchanting caves to discover and beautiful little islands to explore. A thin strip of sand connects the beach to Isola Bella, so take a walk across and visit the nature reserve, enjoy the solitude of its rocky beaches or simply gaze at the bobbing sailboats that add to the heavenly feel of the place.

Set apart from the private beach, there’s also an exclusive stretch housing six luxury cabanas. With sun-loungers and shaded sofas, they make lovely little hideaways. Should you prefer your water a little warmer, head to the heated infinity pool where you can enjoy the sweeping sea views as you take a dip.

Come evening, make the most of the surroundings by dining on the terrace. Or for a romantic interlude, allow the hotel to arrange a private dinner on the beach – musicians will sail across the bay to serenade you.

Restaurant Oliviero serves regional dishes where local ingredients shine. Feast on flavours such as grilled seafood freshly caught that day – swordfish and sardines are always a favourite here. Wash them down with a glass or two of regional wine which is always very good. And don’t think about leaving until you’ve sampled one of the fresh pastries. The cannoli – a local delicacy made with sheep’s milk ricotta – are little mouthfuls of heaven.

After dinner, make a beeline to the open-air bar where DJs set a more vibrant scene. With the sea lapping at the shore, there’s no dance floor quite like it. Cocktail in hand, dance the night away as the stars twinkle overhead.