San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel

My wife and I just returned from celebrating my wife's birthday with a five-day stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Taormina, and I can honestly say it was among the best hotel experiences we have ever had. From the very first email exchange to the moment we checked out, every detail was handled with warmth, precision, and genuine care. The quality of service at this hotel is outstanding. Every member of staff we encountered, from housekeeping to the bell team, greeted us with a smile and made us feel truly welcome. A special mention must go to Francesco in particular and the other from the team at Rosso, the hotel's breakfast restaurant. Morning after morning, they went out of their way to make our breakfasts feel personal and special, remembering our preferences and always checking in with a smile and genuine warmth. Their attentiveness set the tone for the rest of each day, and we are enormously grateful to them. Before we even arrived, the concierge team was fantastic in helping me to plan the trip. They offered thoughtful restaurant recommendations tailored to our tastes, and the standout suggestion by far was Trattoria Rosso DiVino, which turned out to be an absolute gem and one of the best meals we had. Their local knowledge and willingness to put together a bespoke itinerary made all the difference in making our stay feel effortless. We also treated ourselves to a (couples') spa treatment during our stay, and it was every bit as relaxing and rejuvenating as we had hoped. The spa team created a calm, luxurious environment that was the perfect complement to our busy days of sightseeing. Ahead of our arrival, I mentioned a small extra wish: that we might be allocated a suite in the old convent part of the hotel with a bathtub, as my wife loves to take a bath. Not only did the hotel accommodate this request, but the suite itself exceeded every expectation. It was fantastic in every respect, full of character and charm, and the bathtub was the perfect touch for unwinding in the evenings. It meant so much that the team listened to this small request and delivered on it so beautifully. One of the loveliest surprises of our stay was the welcome treat waiting for us in the room: a personal note and gift from the general manager, a bottle of local sparkling wine, chocolates, and fresh fruit. It was such a thoughtful and generous gesture that instantly made us feel like valued guests rather than just another reservation. All in all, we simply had an amazing stay. Between the exceptional staff, the wonderful food, the beautiful suite, and the many thoughtful touches, the Four Seasons Hotel Taormina made this birthday celebration truly unforgettable.

This Hotel is paradise. The views are too die for, the gardens devine,the internals go backs hundreds of years, so the experience is magnificent , but it’s the team that runs this Hotel that makes it so special. Every team member is just perfect, caring and looking to make your visit memorable . Should you have the opportunity to stay in Taormina, you must stay here, you will not be disappointed

There is a construction Project right across the canyon below the hotel to the east. They are jack hampering and drilling concrete from 7 or 8 am all day. You can hear it inside the room even with the windows closed. It is very loud at the pool. This is a great hotel but the experience is ruined by the noise.

We decided to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Sicily. We lived in Europe years ago, and we had been to Italy many times before, so we planned this trip months in advance. The highlight of 15 days was the San Domenico Palace. The hotel setting on the coastline is breathtaking, the food quality and presentation at breakfast are exceptional, but the service by the entire team is the best anywhere we have stayed in the world. We felt so welcome the minute that we arrived, and that continued throughout our stay. They have truly created a community of people that exist to make your stay perfect in every way possible. The concierge team assisted us in securing a sparkling wine tasting on Mt. Etna at Terrazza dell' Etna that was absolutely magical. We had a fabulous half-day Godfather Tour that was great fun. Our best meal in Taormina was in the hotel at Principe Cermani, and it was definitely the epitome of Michelin-star dining from cuisine to presentation to service. The concierge team made certain that our special anniversary was recognized, especially upon arrival in our room overlooking the ocean. We previously stayed at the Four Seasons in Bali and in Scottsdale, but the San Domenico Palace is truly special. It more than exceeded our expectations, it made the memory of a lifetime!

We went here to celebrate a birthday at the hotel’s Michelin starred restaurant. As you arrive, in the courtyard there was loud karaoke style music blaring. As we were early, we tried to find somewhere for a drink but were told very curtly that as we were not staying we could not have a drink (despite being booked in the restaurant). The Michelin starred restaurant was stuffy, in both senses, with lots of performative flummery but slow service. The food is elegantly presented but bland, missing all of the zest and freshness for which Italian cooking is so well known. Overall it felt corporate and overrated. It’s also extremely poor value for money: very high prices for a mediocre product.