Has anyone had any problems with Villa Belvedere in Taormina. I am thinking of booking it in August. Also, has anyone stayed in the in the roadside rooms. They say the cannot guarantee the seaview until check in. Do you think Villa Diodoro is better???

Is Villa Belvedere the one that was a convent or something like that?

Negative. It's always been a hotel. You're thinking of the San Domenico Palace. Roadside rooms at Villa Belvedere can be a little bit noisy, so I strongly urge you to get a sea view room, if available. The hotel is excellent and the service on a par (thanks to the management of the owner).

Righto, GAC, I recommend the San Domenico Palace. It is first class and the views from the rooms with balconies can't be beat. It is an exclusive hotel and the staff is very helpful if businesslike.<BR>I know, Michela didn't ask, but, maybe someone else will get information from this post later.

I know, I've stayed at both properties.

GAC -Since you have stayed at both hotels, which would you recommend? I know that Villa Belvedere is half the price, but I do not mind paying extra if San Domenico is much better of a hotel. Is it a far walk from the main road? Also, Nancy if you have stayed there, I would love your input on San Domenico Palace.

It is really nice, the grounds are manicured and have nice walking paths for every view possible. The flowers, plants, trees and sculpture add to the luxury. It is a large hotel and has many nooks and crannies. The restaurant is excellent and the breakfast buffet is tasty and abundant with cloth tablecloths and the works. We had a view room with a balcony. The staff were a little formal, but just like in a luxury hotel, no chitchat, but who needs it anyway, they were helpful and courteous and recommended good restaurants. I would def. stay there again, but then again I don't have a reference to another hotel to compare, but I do think it is the top of the line. I was there about two years ago.

Thanks Nancy, so many people have recommended San Domenico I thought it must be worth the price. Did you find it to be a distance as far as walking? Was the inside of your room very nice? How many days would be a good amount of time to spend in Taormina? I appreciate your input. Thanks

Hi Michela, the distance is not far at all, you are even with the main town and you just walk over to the main ped. street and turn right, then start window shopping, etc. I was In Taormina for about four days, we used it as a central location to visit the surrounding areas. Be sure to visit the Greek arena and watch sunset over Mt. Etna. The passegiata is wonderful every night on the ped. street, have a nice dinner then stroll it off and sit in the main square for a gelato or after dinner drink, and watch the whole population of the city walk by. <BR>The room was large and had an amoir and chest of drawers and a few tables. Just remember to ask for a different room if you don't like the one you are shown to first (or even second). We did and got a nice corner room. Arrive as close to check out as possible and you will have more vacant rooms to choose from. Just tip the bellboy and there will be no hard feelings, leave your luggage in the lobby until you approve the room.<BR>I could stay a week there and swim in the sea the next time.

Thank you Nancy. Do far we are only going to be there 2 nights. I am thinking maybe I should stay a few more.<BR>We are 2 adults and 2 children. They originally wanted us to get 2 rooms but then said we could have 1 and add 2 beds and it would be 573 euros instead of 500 x 2. If they have to add 2 beds, I have a feeling we will have to be stuck with whatever room they give us or they will have to move the beds again?? I hope the room is good.

Michaela, comparing the San Domenico Palace to the Hotel Villa Belvedere is not a useful exercise: the former is a luxury, unique property, wheareas the latter is a superior-three star hotel. I'm sure that the San Domenico is more than twice the price. Is it twice as good? Impossible to say. If you are willing to pay the very steep price, staying at the San Domenico WILL be a memorable experience. On the other hand, a sea-view room at the Villa Belvedere is also quite beautiful.

Thanks GAC, I do not mind paying the extra price as long as it is worth it. Some of the hotels that I have been to the were expensive or not worth it. Most of the hotels in Taormina require us to get 2 rooms. The Mazzaro Sea Palace requires us to get a suite for 2 adults and 2 children at a rate of 960. San Domenico is willing to give us 1 room and add 2 beds. So, if it is as nice as the write ups have been, that's great. I know you can't compare the 2. Villa Diodoro is probably a small quaint hotel. I have stayed at a hotel that seemslike this in Ravello, Hotel Parsifal. So it is proably like comparing that to the luxery hotels there. Do you think that 2 nights is enough time there. We do not plan on going to Mt. Etna or any other excursions around.

Michela (sorry for misspelling your name my previous posting): as there is not much specific to do or see in Taormina (other than to rest and relax), two days would seem to be enough. If you stayed longer, you could take side trips to places such as Randazzo, Gola di Alcantara, Castelmola, Giardini-Naxos, Lipari, Siracusa and Piazza Armerina. As to whether the San Domenico is "worth" the price, this is a personal matter which only you can answer. It is a very special place indeed, in my opinion, and hopefully you will be given a good room and not a lemon. You might also check into the Hotel Excelsior, which is a superior 4 star on the edge of town with very good views of the coastline.

Also of interest at San Dom., the grounds are private, you have to show the key or something for access to the hotel. Guests stroll the grounds and have drinks at night and stargaze, too. You can see glows and smoke from Mt Etna at night there, too. <BR>Since it was a monastery, parts have long halls, etc. which makes it interesting to me. I looked at my notes last night, and I was there almost four years ago ("how time flies").<BR>I didn't look at or in any other hotel so I can't compare, but the room I had was large.

When I was at the San Domenico a quarter century ago (!!!!!!!!!!), there were original renaissance confessionals adorning the hallways. Is this still true today?

Well, when I was there there were statues in a glass covered inner courtyard, and one or two confess. in the halls. Some of the halls had the wooden bench seats along the side. It may have changed by now though. I hope their standards are still high. Anyone been there lately?

All the guide books always recommend the San Domenico Palace - so I do hope it is a fabulous hotel. I would also like to hear input on this hotel.

Now I hear the the rooms and dated and dark at the San Domenico. I hate to pay so much and not like the room! Does anyone know anything about this?

There are different parts to the hotel, some rooms may be dark. The one we stayed in was not, it was bright and roomy. The halls are long and can be a bit dark, but not gloomy. It is an old style- European style- hotel. It is not what you might call American style. It may not be for you, it is in a class by itself. You may want or need something more modern. We thought it was a Grande Dame and would go back anytime. It may appeal to a certain type of person, and that may not be you.

I would like the charm of an Italian/European hotel. I just wanted the hotel to be bright and airy. I did not want to pay so much for a room and it be a depressing looking room. So many recommended Villa Belvedere, but I do not know if their rooms are nice or dreary? I don't care the price - I just wanted the better experience.