Hotel Villa Riis

We had a large group, 3 rooms in total. The hotel rooms are a bit run down, but we had NO HOT WATER for our entire stay of 2 nights. Management was no help, sent some person to each room telling us a tall tale. It was the most pleasant hotel experience we have ever had!

Then….as is common in Taormina, the hotel staff needed the keys to our car to park it elsewhere. When we went to leave at checkout, we found out that the battery in the rental car was completely dead. This hotel offered us NO HELP! They couldn’t even assist us in finding jumper cables. We walked through town, ending up buying a set from a taxi driver for much much more than we could buy them for, and jump the car ourselves with the car from others who were with us!

No pool services for drinks, again, very very poor service.

DO NOT STAY HERE

As others have stated the best part of this Hotel is the location! Set on a cliff with amazing views from the rooms and breakfast terrace. There was a charge for parking but so convenient. Walking into Taormina was a very short walk up a one block hill. The pool area is a bit of a hike down a fairly steep hill and the pool could use some updating but still a lovely treat after a hot day of exploring. The rooms are roomy with amazing balcony views. Our first room didn't have working a/c but did have a beautiful renovated bathroom. We were quickly moved to a room next door that thankfully did have working a/c but did not have a renovated bathroom, quite a difference. We really enjoyed the beautiful baroque furnishings everywhere, like staying in a beautiful museum. We found the breakfast to be fine, fairly typical.

This is a faulty towers property, dirty, old, and poor breakfast, with various things not working but with a perfect location, and the best possible staff, and great view of the sea. Daisy at the front couldn't do more to make us happy, and the other man of whom I have forgotten his name, was like Basil Faulty, but he was awfully helpful and tried very hard. It is on the doorstep of the old town. The car park is a wee bit on the high side at 15 euro, but handy to have the car just there. It just needs a real vamp up, and a decent clean. And a bit more for breakfast. We would definitely stay here again though.

Close your eyes and dream of going back to the Baroque style era of the late 1800's and then open them and you are at Hotel Villa Riis, an antique villa that has been handed down from generation to generation, now run by their handsome heir son. The view is wow factor built on a rock cliff overlooking the sea and beyond to Etna volcano. Fresh scents from the garden overlooking the large pool and tennis court drift upward. The location can't be beat being only steps away from the main shopping street filled with colorful boutiques and restaurants. The not to be missed Teatro is a nice stroll at the other end of the main Corso. Breakfast is served buffet style and is plentiful. The staff was super friendly and helpful. Daisy was a delight at the front desk. This hotel is ideal for the price and location. Splurge and get a room with a balcony overlooking the sea. It's worth it!

Loved the position. Super convenient to the city center, with a parking (not to take as given in Taormina, especially so close to the center), and a stunning view to the gulf in the back (suggestion: ask for a room looking the sea).
Staff is super friendly. Special mention to Desiree.
Price/quality ratio is very good considering how much expensive is the area.

Definitely my first recommendation (or choice) for an accommodation in Taormina.
By the way: beware of the real location. There are many hotels and B&B that claim they are in Taormina, but maybe they are 5kms far away (and the area is not so easy in terms of transportation). This hotel is IN Taormina... with the advantage that you can arrive in front of it with a car (and your luggage inside).

Stayed a couple of nights at the Hotel Villa Riis, just 200 m off the main drag on the seaward side. Near the Excelsior Palace Hotel. Huge old villa, immaculate rooms, quiet, friendly helpful staff, good parking and breakfasts. Taxi service from desk excellent. Unreservedly recommended.

The hotel is in an excellent location with amazing views, swimming pool and breakfast. The staff very polite & helpful and enthusiastic :)
It’s a beautiful old quaint building with lots of character

Visited Sicily as part of our Honeymoon trip.

The location is fantastic and moments away from the heart of Taormina centre.
The hotel however is a little dated and needs a bit of work and money spending on it to bring it up to a better standard.

We had problems with when booking in as our room didn’t have a balcony which we’d booked. The staff did work to find us an alternative room though.

Breakfast was nice and good to have a pool available.

It was certainly unique ! Our room was a joke : shower was on its last legs with black mould and no hot water , fittings so old they would never look clean, tufts of hair on floor. Wardrobe door was hanging off ( this was fixed promptly) room smelled of damp , mini bar had a price list but was empty, the 'safe' deposit box was not attached to anything so completely useless. The balcony was scary. When everything around you is in disrepair ,we were definitely not going to chance it. There were stairs down to the pool, dont forget anything though - it's a long way back up. This hotel describes itself as 'wheelchair accessible ' . Well, maybe coming in - but leaving it to go up to main shopping area is a steep incline . How on earth do you expect wheelchair users to manage that ? Ridiculous.

This hotel is in a great location for the restaurants and shops of Taormina, just 3 minutes up a slight hill and you're amongst it all. The sea views are beautiful from the rear of the hotel. The staff are very friendly and very pleasant.
A big tip, parking a car near to the hotel is very difficult and the whole area is set high up and the roads are very twisty and narrow.
Now the bad news. The hotel is tired and in a very poor state. The swimming pool is about 100 meters below the hotel, there is a lift but it was out of order and my guess is, it will be for a long time. That means getting to and from the hotel pool very very difficult. The decoration in the room was poor and the fridge did not work. Sockets were hanging off the wall and the hairdryer was broken. The whole hotel has a feel of dilapidation and is well overpriced. We moved on to another hotel ( The hotel villa Diodoro ) it was the same price and oh what a difference, pure quality. I reccomend you book this one.

All a little unprofessional
Asked to upgrade and pay more
Limited old towels
Breakfast very disgusting ( didn’t eat anything )
Hotel needs a lot of TLC.
Wouldn’t rate a 4*
But bed was comfortable and room had good AC

This is a classic Italian villa and getting the love it requires. The owners are in the middle of a modernisation programme. The location is perfect ; right at the end of the main street of Taormina and benefitting from a private car park .

The location the parking the staff and the facilities. Would highly recommend again to my clients

Villa Riis is a little slice of heaven. The tranquillity, the welcome, the beauty and the history of Taormina comes to you in this most elegant, romantic Grande Dame of villa's.
I'll be seeing you again soon.
A big thank you to the director/manager who let us have a late check out at the last minute and to all the staff who couldn't have done more to make our stay so comfortable.
The room was perfect for me as I have mobility issues. it had a wonderful walk in shower, much needed air conditioning and a beautiful balcony where we could enjoy the unbroken view if the sea and relax on loungers under a parasol. Heaven

The most wonderful holiday at this beautiful hotel. So happy to have returned for another piece of heaven. Looking forward to coming back next year already. Such kind and helpful staff and so welcoming. This is my favourite hotel in the world. A beautiful villa in an amazing setting. Baroque architecture, antique furniture and paintings. I hope this hotel never changes.

Rooms were not clean (dust under the bed), poor breakfast, poor staff,there was just a lady that tried to do everything on her own.No shampoo in the rooms, just one shower gel for two people.First day of our stay we had large and small towels,next day just large.Broken plugs on the walls.Overall, despite the location, a bad experience.

We had an unforgettable experience in this beautiful hotel and would highly recommend it to anyone to enjoy all that Taormina has to offer:
The Hotel: baroque style, spacious and beautiful room,
breathtaking sea views from the room as well as from the breakfast terrasse. Amazing location, just next to the main street.
Very friendly staff, great service and doing everything possible to make you feel at home.
Overall, simply 5 start experience, book it without hesitation next time in Taormina.

Location and property is very good. Poor maintenance

We came from Manhattan and had a lovely time at this beautiful hotel. Empire style in true reflection of Sicily. Enjoyed the pool and views!! Magnificent location for the island and central with great parking ! Very helpful staff to answer questions and give us local ideas for some afternoons and evenings. Our room was clean and comfortable with great view. We will definitely be back! Highly recommend!!

Hotel Villa Riis in Taormina, Sicily was just beautiful and the views were just amazing... Had a wonderful time... Will return very soon... so clean and service is amazing. Was able to relax by the pool in peace. Such a wonderful find....