Mount Etna Oasis: the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo showcases classic design and volcanic vistas on Sicily’s eastern coast 

In the shadow of Taormina's ancient Greek theatre, the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo offers much-needed respite from the town's bustling streets. Little wonder it’s Sicily's number one choice for A-listers and world leaders.
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The picturesque Sicilian town of Taormina has hosted its fair share of famous names, from Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant to - more recently - Theresa May and Donald Trump.

With panoramic views of Sicily's eastern coastline and smoking Mount Etna as a backdrop, the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is rooted in history and is the town's oldest and grandest hotel.

Style:
Classic Sicilian luxury, with muted hues perfectly complimenting the azure waters of the Ionian sea and sun-kissed red of the Teatro Greco.

The statue-lined reception areas showcase traditional style, with ornamental hand-crafted tiles, splashes of bright Mediterranean colours and dark herringbone wooden floors creating a tranquil, indulgent atmosphere.

Lavish interiors extend to the bedrooms, where a toned down palette highlights the spectacular views from huge windows and private balconies. The 19th-century villa’s original cornicing, traditional woven rugs, ornate chandeliers and dark wood furniture are mixed with more modern, bold red fabrics and sumptuous suede furnishings, similar to the velvet-look statement chairs popping up in design stores across London in recent months.

The Literary Terrace: the hotel's vast bar is named after the legions of writers and artists who first put the area on the tourist trail

Which room:
There are 71 suites and bedrooms split between the elegant main building and the adjacent Villa Flora.

Try to go for at least a double superior if the budget allows, which will give you a balcony with a spectacular view that grazes Taormina’s terracotta rooftops and sweeps towards Etna’s smoking peak.

Hidden design gem:
With such a picture-perfect backdrop, it’s little wonder the hotel is also a popular destination for couples tying the knot.

In true Sicilian style, the marble-floored reception makes for a grand entrance, while the vast bar area makes the most of the stunning view.

Just below, in the grounds, impressive stone walls mark out al fresco dining areas, while manicured walkways lead to verdant terraced gardens - the ideal setting for atmospheric wedding video montages you and your guests will look back on for years to come.

Good to know:
Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s worth popping in for a drink or a meal. Views from the Literary Terrace and adjoining restaurant are on a par with the best in the world, while the restaurant offers a delicious blend of Sicilian and Mediterranean cooking, with a focus on fresh, traditional ingredients, and the Etna Spritzes are famous in their own right.

A free shuttle links the Grand Hotel Timeo with its sister hotel the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, just less than five kilometres away, where the beach and sunloungers can be used free of charge. In-room spa treatments are available, or there's a wellness centre with massage rooms, sauna, steam room and hairdresser's salon set in five acres of gardens.

There's a thrice-daily boat trip for hotel guests, which departs from Villa Sant’Andrea, lasting around two hours and with stops at nearby caves and a chance to swim in crystal blue waters. Spaces are limited, so ask staff to book you your preferred time in advance.

Catania is the closest airport, around an hour's drive from the hotel, with direct flights to London taking less than three hours.

To book:
Rooms at Grand Hotel Timeo cost from £530 a night; the hotel closes from mid November until towards the end of March.

Visit www.belmond.com or call the reservations team on 0845 0772 222.

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Via Teatro Greco 59, Taormina, Sicily

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