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Paradiso di Taormina
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By the turn of the 20th century, Sicily had become a favorite retreat for wealthy upper-class Brits, who used the money they made selling Marsala wine (among other things) to build fabulous estates for themselves. Although most of the vineyards were over on the west coast in those days, the favorite vacation spot was Taormina, whose hilltop position gave it cool breezes and incredible views of smoking Mt. Etna, the Straits of Messina, and the tip of the Italian boot. Indeed, the elegant building that houses this hotel was originally owned by Lady Florence Trevelyan, wife of the well-known historian and creator of the city’s much-envied Botanical Gardens, which are right next door to the hotel. This earthly paradise seems to have it all: brilliant splashes of tropical flowers; picturesque architecture spanning from the ancient Greeks through the Moors and right up to the Victorians; fantastic food based upon a year-round supply of fresh vegetables and fish; and a unique microclimate that keeps it sunny and inviting all year long. In the summer, you can take this hotel’s free shuttle down the hill to its own private beach and enjoy some of the best swimming Italy has to offer; in fall the vineyards that now blanket Mt. Etna burst into spectacular golds, reds and yellows; in springtime the road to Piazza Armerina (site of what many consider the world’s best-preserved Roman mosaics) is alive with the heady perfume produced by hundreds of thousands of blossoms in the endless citrus groves that stretch as far as the eye can see; and in the dead of winter, while the rest of Europe shivers, you can sit at an outdoor café and sip your cappuccino warmed by the sweet rays of the sun. Strangely enough, many hotels shut for the winter in Taormina, but this gracious family-run hotel (in existence since 1892) is open, ready to show you why “Sicilian hospitality” is renowned throughout Italy.
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| Location: |
On Via Roma, next door to the Botanical Garden and the municipal tennis
courts (which hotel guests can use free of charge, by reservation only). This
location is superb, because it is on the outer ring of the ancient village, thus
accessible by car and offering unobstructed views, while being only a 5-minute
walk from the Greek Theatre and the main street. Click
here to see a map. |
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| Public transportation: |
The hotel is 4 km from the Taormina Giardini rail station (about a 20-Euro cab ride), or you can take a bus straight into the center of town from almost anywhere in Sicily. |
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| Rooms: |
38, including single and double rooms, and 17 junior suites for two, three or four people. All rooms
were renovated in 2002 and are traditionally furnished and feature terracotta floors and vaulted ceilings.
All rooms have a private balcony or patio, except for some of the junior suites, which are the
largest rooms and have picture windows. Every room has two twin beds or one queen-size bed, plus a private
bathroom with tub or stall shower. There are no connecting rooms. There are some non-smoking rooms. |
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| Features: |
All rooms have air-conditioning, direct-dial telephone, radio, satellite TV, wall safe, and balcony or patio. Some have Etna or sea views. Most bathrooms have a bathtub with wall shower, except for the single rooms which have stall showers; all have courtesy set and hair dryer. |
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| Facilities: |
Elevator; panoramic breakfast room and restaurant; Internet point; 24-hour cocktail bar; free shuttle to the private beach (June 1-October 30); beach chairs and umbrellas are free of charge and there is a small charge for beach towels. The hotel has three parking spots which are first-come-first-served; if they are not available on your arrival, there is guarded parking 100 yards away for 14 Euro/day. |
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Nightly B&B Rates for 2008 (per room)
Two-Night Minimum Stay |
| Includes taxes, services and breakfast |
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Low Season:
Jan. 7-March 15
Nov. 1-Dec. 19 |
Mid Season:
March 16-April 30
July 16-Sept. 30 |
High Season:
May 1-July 15
Oct. 1-31 |
| Single Room |
86.50 EURO |
95.00 EURO |
117.50 EURO |
| Double Room |
137.50 EURO |
155.00 EURO |
192.50 EURO |
| Junior Suite (2 people) |
176.50 EURO |
194.00 EURO |
230.00 EURO |
| Junior Suite (3 people) |
250.00 EURO |
275.00 EURO |
345.00 EURO |
| Junior Suite (4 people) |
322.50 EURO |
354.00 EURO |
420.00 EURO |
Click here to consult a calendar
Sea view is available on request and costs 8.75
Euro/person/day in Low Season and 11 Euro/person/day in Mid and High Season
Children under 2 years old stay
free in their parents’ double
room.
Children 3-6 years old pay 20% extra in their parents’ double
room.
Children 7-12 years old pay 25% extra in their parents’ double
room.
Sorry, no pets allowed.
Click here for information
about private transfers to the property.
Please click here to read this property's
Booking Terms and Cancellation Penalties
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