Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina

We stayed in Taormina and after visiting the amphitheater we stopped for drinks on the terrace of the Grand Hotel. The terrace area is lovely, well laid out and has fabulous views of Mount Etna. The service from Fabio was excellent, nothing was too much trouble and a great choice of drinks plus a few complimentary snacks. It is the service and the setting that makes a drink at the Grand Hotel a great experience.

Firstly, I cannot sufficiently elucidate the importance and impact of the hotel's greatest asset: the staff and their unending passion for service. When they ask if everything is ok, it is not rehearsed or fake and rings of true care. Marco the sommelier in the restaurant and, quite frankly everyone we engaged with at the restaurant on the dinner of the 4th of May, was a consummate professional with true pride in what the team could offer. The recommendations we received were on the mark. Dinner was a masterclass in delivering faultlessness execution, both in service and culinary delights. The food struck a fine balance of flavours, bringing tradition and the best of local produce to a modern reality, all framed by the unique panorama. The hotel overall could not be better located, it is brilliantly kept, extremely clean with an unerring attention to detail. I could not find fault, and if you read my previous reviews of similar caliber hotels.... I am not shy at voicing potential improvements. The room (junior suite) was spacious, well appointed, with a delightful balcony over the pool, enabling optimal enjoyment of the signature view. Housekeeping was particularly to be lauded. Luxury is not a formula, it is provided by true service, care, attention to detail and a touch of the intangible "something special". Grand Hotel Timeo and their staff delivers in spades. My humble congratulations.

This is my 3rd time visiting Taormina and maybe say the best experience is meeting the one and only Fabio, he is a local from Taormina and the most charming human I’ve ever met. If you want to have a beautiful experience having a drink and a bite at grand hotel Timeo, make sure you are seated where Fabio would be catering to you because it’ll be a unique unforgettable experience. Here is a picture where you can see him and make sure he’s there when you go. The food was excellent and the old fashion the bartender made was one of the best. It has an aftertaste of ancient ruins and you won’t know what I’m talking about until you have one.

The beauty and location of the hotel is unparalleled. The staff, no matter what their responsibility, made you genuinely feel welcomed, valued, appreciated, with extreme professionalism. I wil return and look for other Belmond properties when I travel

No denying this hotel is very expensive but for that you get stunning views, great food and excellent service.