San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel

Oooo La La! What a fabulous hotel. Although we were the odd couple out (Australian, no lip filler, gold sunglasses, bulging wallets or loud demeanour) we felt right at home in the private garden oasis at San Dominican Palace. Being an ex-Dominican Monastery, the quiet and tranquil aura washes over most guests and sends a calming influence through the wide walkways and over all amenities. The doyen of the hotel is the staff. How impeccably they are dressed and present to the guests (who clearly all weren’t that way inclined). Enjoy their incredible “just when you were going to ask for it, they were there” predictive service. The restaurant, pool and breakfast area all tried their best to overservice us. Marvellous. The rooms are capacious, serviced every time you leave the room it seems and well appointed. One thing of note, if you are shown to room 203/4/5 ask if there are any functions being held as they will be right on top of you if there is a function. Sadly, our first night we copped the function up above us, and it wasn’t pretty. However, the staff were very obliging and moved us to this marvellous balconied room which was more like a small apartment than a hotel room. It was deluxe! Very happy. Awesome, and no lip filler, fake eyelashes or Gucci underwear! Just a couple of Aussies. The food is absolute. Breakfast for Kings (and Queens) and Anchovi on the balcony at sunset is a romantic experience for all couples to savour. As my wife did the booking, I wasn’t aware the price was equal to a small mortgage to stay there, but at the end of the day there’s no point being the richest person n the grave yard. Not that we would have been the richest, we didn’t even feature in that show off contest by the looks. This is the best hotel we’ve ever stayed in, it is a beautiful hotel and should be experienced if you can do so.

We were lucky enough to stay at this gorgeous hotel for a second time, after visiting for the first time three years ago (pre-White Lotus). Even though the hotel’s popularity has increased, the service was incredibly warm and welcoming and the team at the hotel went above and beyond to show how much they cared about each guest. The staff was truly amazing: From the second we pulled up to the moment we departed we were treated like royalty. Impressively, some of the staff remembered us from our first stay (grazie, Alberto!). While the environment is certainly luxurious, it never felt stuffy or pretentious. Of course, the property itself is incredibly special and the rooms are modern and very, very comfortable. I wish we could have stayed longer but we will certainly be back! Huge thank you to Roberta and everyone who greeted us so warmly at check in and took such great care to ensure we enjoyed our stay! I’m grateful to each of you!

We had really high expectations and it delivered. We got a great free upgrade on arrival without asking which was a start. Room, service, grounds and restaurants all exceptional. Yes, it’s expensive but would I stay here again, yes!

This hotel was absolutely AMAZING! My family and I stayed for 5 nights, and it was hands down the best hotel experience we’ve ever had. Pros: • The property feels like a museum—stunning architecture and beautifully maintained gardens. • Service was flawless. Every interaction made us feel truly special. • I appreciated that outside guests are not allowed unless they have dinner reservations. Since the TV show, the hotel has become very popular, but this policy meant the bar and common areas never felt overcrowded. Security at the front entrance kept everything private and exclusive—thank you! • The food was outstanding—whether from the main menu, breakfast, or the kids’ menu. • We stayed in the Executive Suite with a plunge pool, and it was breathtaking. The view was unforgettable. • The staff made my husband’s birthday incredibly special with thoughtful touches throughout the day. • Perfect location—right in the center of town, within easy walking distance to everything. • Housekeeping was exceptional. Our room was always spotless, and turn-down service never missed a beat. The entire hotel is pristine. • The pool is gorgeous, with a chic Dolce & Gabbana theme. They even provide hats for guests by the pool—a lovely touch. • My daughter felt like a princess with her own bathrobe and slippers. The hotel also gave her stuffed animals, a coloring book, and even a scavenger hunt around the property, which she loved. Cons: • The only downside was the pool chair situation. Guests would wake up early to reserve spots by leaving belongings, then disappear for hours. Meanwhile, my husband and I were in the pool watching empty chairs sit unused while we were stuck far away with our two children. With limited seating, especially in prime poolside spots, this should not be allowed. Tips: • Trust the hotel’s restaurant recommendations! We tried Granduca despite it not being recommended, and it was a huge disappointment. When the Four Seasons books your reservations, restaurants give you the best seating and treat you like royalty. • For the beach, we booked a cabana at the Belmond. Unfortunately, the service did not compare to Four Seasons, and the water wasn’t great—lots of boats, some trash, and a public beach next door. Overall: This hotel exceeded every expectation and gave us memories we’ll treasure forever. We can’t wait to return!

The property is gorgeous, super spacious, meticulously maintained & stunning with amazing views, beautiful manicured gardens & pool area. We were transported in time walking around the old monastery part of the hotel & the gardens. But what made the place so special were the people working there. We have stayed at different four seasons properties but this was a very special experience for our family. Our family of 5 was met at the airport & transferred by a van to the hotel. The driver spoke to us about the history of Catania & Taormina, pointed out sights & it was a very pleasant ride. The chk in process was very smooth with Gabrielle & team. They made sure that we were very comfortable. The Concierge team at San Dominico is absolutely fabulous. They have the best recommendations & can arrange the most complex tours. The entire team is awesome & would specially like to mention Roberta & Dhabia here. They helped to make this trip exceptional. Our beautifully decorated spotless rooms with all modern amenities & plunge pools in the balcony has stunning views. The hotel is very generous with little touches of treats & gifts that warm the heart. We loved breakfast time at the hotel. The staff are some of the most kind & lovely people we have ever met. Gisela. Alysa, Ariana. Adriano, Vera, Andrea, Alberto, I wish I remembered all the names - each and everyone made our day brighter. They also gave great suggestions for tours & restaurants. We loved lounging at the bar- garden at the hotel. Where they have live music in the evening. With the restaurants, spa, the gardens, architecture, decor. the hotel is like a jewel in Taormina. And it is minutes away from the main Street. Would like to mention Giovanni here who drove us to some of the tours. A true gentleman & a knowledgeable guide. He made the tours fun, made us comfortable and we learnt a lot from him. We had a lovely tour to the Planeta vineyard with Tizziano also. Many thanks to the incredible team at this hotel.