The former summer residence of a local aristocrat has been converted into a luxurious hotel. Individually styled rooms, furnished with antiques, each have their own balconies. An intimate wood-paneled library is at once homelike and romantic, and the vast roof terrace, where a fantastic breakfast is served, takes full advantage of the wide panorama embracing Etna and the bay below. It's a 10- to 15-minute walk to the center of Taormina, and in summer a free shuttle bus whisks you to the area's best beaches. Pros: Away from the hubbub, fantastic views. Cons: Long walk to the center.
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