San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel

Tripadvisor can’t let me give it a no star rating. Can’t understand the 5star reviews. Awful in so many ways. Went to check restaurant booking on day before and just about chucked out by concierge. So embarrassing. I see a previous reviewer had same experience. Food bland and tasteless, salad with no perceptible kitchen effort, bread dry and tasteless, water order never produced, resto overlooks a “motorway”, hugely overpriced, order incorrect, wine overpriced in every way, Nice greeting/reception at Anciovi but that is no compensation. Noisy spat between a guest and member of staff was disconcerting. . So happy to leave. Previous night’s visit to Vineria Modi (one star Michelin) was bit more expensive but a million times better and chef, staff and wines superb. Do not waste time or money on Anciovi. Such a disappointment.

We were excited to visit Four Seasons Taormina and made a call in advance to book ANCIOVI. The hostess explained it was fully booked but kindly invited us to sit at the bar. Upon arrival, however, we were treated coldly by the concierge, who diverted us to Bar & Chiostro with an unfriendly attitude. Despite the bar being nearly empty, the barman refused to serve us, claiming we couldn’t sit there. Eventually, the same hostess from the phone conversation recognized us and allowed us to stay — but only if each of us spent at least €50. It was clear they were trying to discourage us from staying, as though we weren’t the kind of guests they wanted. To make matters worse, a security guard visibly followed us — even to the restroom — as if we were being watched. My salad never arrived, my water was forgotten, and the service overall was dismissive at best. Having stayed at Four Seasons hotels in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Baku, we expected excellence — not suspicion and condescension. This visit left a sour memory, and we will not be returning.

Stunning property great resort great vibe for corporate retreat. Food is fabulous. Walking distance to the little town and shops. Pool is beautiful. Staff were absolutely great. Definitely a place I would like to return to.

We absolutely loved our stay at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace. The property is stunning, a masterful and respectful restoration of a historic building that still retains its soul while offering all the comforts of modern luxury. The views are nothing short of spectacular, with dramatic cliffs, sea, and Mt. Etna all within sight. The entire hotel exudes elegance and you feel immersed in Sicilian beauty from the moment you arrive. The food was consistently excellent, especially the breakfast, which was one of the best we’ve had at any Four Seasons. The main pool area is gorgeous and relaxing, and the indoor pool at the spa is beautifully designed, a perfect retreat on cooler days. The gardens are lush and tranquil, adding to the charm of the property. Plus, the hotel is within walking distance of everything in central Taormina, which made exploring the town incredibly easy. We rented a car during our stay and took several day trips to nearby villages with help from the wonderful concierge team. One of the highlights was visiting Savoca, a must if you’re in the area. A few things to keep in mind: the rooms are quite small, especially the bathrooms. While everything is beautifully appointed and thoughtfully designed, space is definitely limited, which might be surprising for some guests given the price point and brand. The hotel does not have beach access, which might surprise some guests, especially after watching season two of The White Lotus. There is no affiliated beach club either, which was a bit disappointing for a property at this level. If you’re looking to be right on the water, the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea is a great alternative, it's located directly on the beach and has been beautifully remodeled (despite the outdated photos still shown on their website). However, it's not within walking distance to town, so it really depends on what you value more. Service at San Domenico was generally very good, warm and helpful, although not quite as polished as we’ve experienced at other Four Seasons resorts. One odd moment was being offered a room upgrade that turned into a bit of a negotiation around price. While we appreciated the gesture, it felt out of place for a property of this caliber. Still, these are minor points in what was otherwise an extraordinary stay. The setting, history, and attention to detail make it truly special. Highly recommend!

The property is stunning. Rich history and recent Renovations made it a great place to visit. Having been featured in the white lotus also added a bit as we loved the show. Rooms were a bit cozy but it was a retired monastery so that’s what you get. Definitely not a value based decision.