Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina

Cruise stop in Messina and as I had holidayed in Taormina a few months previously, recommend we visit. On the day, we decided at the last minute to get off the ship mid morning as a few of us had been ill with a bug. Arranged a private transfer at the port and our driver whisked us through. Unfortunately we only had 2.5hrs so we rushed through the sites to allow enough time for another visit to this hotels terrace for drinks as I really enjoyed here on my last trip.
Staff were excellent, setting is relaxed and comfortable and the drinks choice is very good. Not forgetting the wonderful views. A must stop even if you only manage a fleeting visit.

We enjoyed 5 days at this wonderful hotel. The view from the terrace is fabulous, the Belmond team are excellent and the bed was probably the best we’ve slept in anywhere.

Tutto

Everyone on staff was delightful and welcoming! I really enjoyed their classes that were included in your stay. I would definitely like to return in the future, as well as other Belmond properties.

Un lugar fabulos, el servicio el personal y la atencion una maravilla!!, vale la pena!!!!! ademas la posiblidad de ir al Beach Club del Santa Andrea lo hace mas completo aun!!

Absolut beauty all around.
Perfect location to walk Taormina and dine around.
Beautiful terraced gardens and ultra wide pool.
Two Great restaurants with amazing view.
A buffet breakfast brought to a superior bespoke level.
Super kind staff well trained and always smiling. From arrival to check out you feel welcomed.
We had a deluxe Junior suite with sea view and terrace of oversized dimensions. Marble compartimented bathroom with perfect AC and WIFI. Great towels and bedsheets.
We are used to Belmond quality, this hotel is a proof of how to bring it to it’s maximalista expresión.

The Timeo is a truly beautiful hotel, with attentive, friendly and helpful staff in every department.
We enjoyed five days there, despite having a 'tired' room for the first day (after that we were moved to a beautiful renovated one). The prices are high, but so is the quality. The only negative feature was the lack of control of the pool, with occasional groups of rowdy guests making it very unpleasant there for others who were trying to relax after a hot day's sightseeing

I am not sure where to begin. From the moment you step into this hotel til the moment you leave, the staff treats you as if you are royalty. The hotel is beyond gorgeous. We have stayed at Le Sirenuse in Positano and this hotel has a very, very similar feel. The layout feels almost identical. The rooms are small but well equiped. Our room had a balcony which was wonderful to sit out on in the mornings and early evenings. The breakfast is sublime!! Everything including Moet champagne to start your day. We spent one afternoon at the beach club which was fantastic. When we come back to Taormina, this will be our place. On a side note, the price per night is almost 50% less than the Four Seasons. I am not sure there is anything that would justify the upcharge compared to this hotel.

A Hotel to Return to Again and Again…fantastic management. Truly exceptional on every level.

Where do I start? If you are considering which hotel to book for a holiday, do please read my entire review and look at my photos, because, if by any chance you consider the hotel to be a little on the expensive side, once you have read my review, you will realise that it is actually terrific value and a “Must Visit.” I rely on TripAdvisor reviews and I like to put something back and this review is the best of advice I am delighted to provide for the most wonderful holiday in beautiful Sicily…

First of all, some initial impressions…the views…THE VIEW…no matter which direction... We had a full on view of the hotel, terraces and the ancient Greek theatre, as well as sea and town views. See photos from our suite. I am adding photographs of all of our suite and of the views from the suite. I particularly appreciated the quality of the furniture, for instance, the beautiful bureau in our living room, see photo. 

We were welcomed in our suite with a lovely greeting, a tray and a bottle of quality Italian sparkling wine made using Méthode Champenoise (photo). This bottle of 700 Brut Cusumano was a really nice touch. Then we get to the tea mugs (with lids) as well as the coffee, cups and saucers next to the provided amazing kettle and coffee machine. It is very rare to get a sensible size tea mug... these were perfect. Not only that they are beautiful, made locally, and like everything else, very carefully thought out. Only some of the best hotels, provide a carton of proper milk for tea and coffee making. At Grand Timeo, by the kettle, they provide four cartons of milk (Soja; 1% milk; almond milk and oat milk and should you open one…they replace it next day. How thoughtful is that!? I have never before arrived at a hotel suite to find cartons of oat and almond milk…which I always prefer. This was a first.  Minibar, soft drinks are, of course, complimentary. Even the shutters to our private terrace were so special and well thought out, being separate shutters for the glazing alone,  within each full size shutter (see photo). The fresh flowers provided in the suite were exquisite. 

Breakfast and the Breakfast Buffet. Have you ever been irritated but I have a guests touching buffet items or making a mess serving themselves? Not here. All of the buffet selection, and it is a terrific selection on various different stations... is behind glass... lovely welcoming ladies, serve you with everything you point out (making a choice from the selection of cakes was a daily joy... see photos) and then bring the plates to your table. The cooked breakfast choice on the printed menu was perfect, as was everything that turned up. I would usually have a glass of Moet Chandon from the buffet to start with. 

In the bathrooms, everything is provided, and we particularly appreciated the high quality of everything, especially the sensibly sized bath sheets.

The hotel shuffle is a large white Mercedes people carrier and the hotel boat used for the hotel’s complimentary sightseeing tour, is also white with white leather seating and all-electric... no fumes or noise from this boat. Different musicians played on the hotel, terrace on different days, all really excellent and adding to the general elegance and romance. 

Even the guest restrooms next to the restaurant are exquisite. See photo of the matching fresh flowers, colour coordinated with the wallpaper. Not only that, but on a few occasions we used it the restrooms appeared as if they had been serviced five minutes earlier. They probably were! 

This hotel really is truly exceptional, immaculate and the attention to detail throughout is not only off the scale but remarkable. Even the short stroll from Reception to the pick-up point for the hotel’s regular shuttle to Villa Sant’Andrea, their sister hotel down by the beach is nothing short of exquisite (see my photos). Although this is an old building, every square-inch of not only the hotel but also the gorgeous and tasteful furnishings is so well maintained that you could be tricked into believing that all furniture are brand-new reproductions, which of course they are not. I have rarely seen such a high level of quality maintenance at any historic hotel. The Belmond Grand Timeo cannot be faulted… management have missed nothing. 

We originally booked to spend three days at each hotel. We later changed our mind and switched to staying only at the Grand Timeo. What did it for us is our preference for truly grand hotels and close proximity to the town, especially given the excellent shuttle service. Some people prefer a beachside hotel, and if you do, then stay at Villa Sant’Andrea and use the hotel’s half hourly shuttle to also hang out at the Grand Timeo. Either way it is a win-win, but for us, we would definitely do the same again. 

Over the course of my hundreds of reviews of top luxury hotels around the world posted over 15 years, this Belmond property is in my all-time Top 10… along with properties such as Grand Hotel du Cap and Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo.  Yes, it is expensive...but well worth it and in my opinion, offers great value on every level. I am quite capable of providing honest, balanced criticism, even within a five star review. When something goes wrong in what would otherwise be a brilliant stay, I don't throw my dummy out of my pram and give it a one star review as some others do. I remain lavish in my praise, almost always still give five stars, and I am careful and try to be helpful in my criticism. After five days at this hotel, my wife and I enjoyed every part of the property... everything from the hotel's new, immaculate,  electric guest boat (with two superb crew), to the restaurants and spas, shuttle service to their sister hotel by the beach…down to the absolutely lovely staff… room service…our suite and everything supplied in the rooms and ensuite…to the most wonderful pillow selection and comfortable beds and proper sized bath sheets… this is hotel perfection. You simply do not get to this level without a terrific F and B director, an experienced executive chef, wonderful housekeeping and an amazing general manager who is absolutely on top of the game. 

Not many Belmond’s we have enjoyed have managed quite this level of sheer excellence but when they do they always have the most most wonderful general manager at the helm. Ermes de Megni (now their Ambassador) at Belmond Splendido in Portofino is one of the greats; Mr Mr Arturo Schwarz who was in charge at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, where just for fun we booked the Presidential Suite, back in 2017 was another. The hotel next door to Palacio in Peru... the Belmond Monasterio, also looked incredible  (we had a walk around at the time) which is where we are staying in January 2027, as well as at the Belmond Rio Sagrado. We just can't get enough of Belmond hotels especially when we visit one which is right off the scale. I came up with a new phrase while at Grand Hotel Timeo, to describe the general managers of the very best hotels in the world which exceed expectations on every level… which is why I now describe the General Manager of the Grand Timeo, MR MASSIMILIANO PUGLISI as a world-class HOTEL ROCKSTAR. We are returning to the Grand Timeo for another stay, combined with an evening of Italian opera at the stunning Teatro Antico di Taormina…which is right next door. 

My wife and I enjoyed five days at Grand Timeo, departing May 22nd and loved the most wonderful view of the Teatro Antico di Taormina from our suite terrace. We had the Greek Theatre Signature Suite although I don't believe it is possible to be in any room or suite, facing any direction and not have a wonderful view. This was our first ever holiday at the Grand Timeo. Belmond Hotels are one of our favourite luxury hotel collections... they can be found in the most incredible locations and tend to be quite unique. A few have been truly exceptional, the common denominator being they are led by the most incredible and passionate General Managers, who have built first-class teams, creating levels of hospitality, F and B and wonderful accommodation that returning guests fall in love with. This doesn't cover easy and all hotels can go up and down. The Belmond in Oxfordshire is one of those... although we expect to revisit and find massive improvement. Our favourite Belmond hotels have been in Brazil, Peru and Italy which we are revisiting over the coming 10 months. What they have in common, apart from spectacular locations, is attention to quality and detail which is second to none. It is best to book such hotels well in advance as I have learned to my cost, as the truly great hotels do get fully booked. Now under LVMH ownership, an already high level of previous investment in quality at Belmond will no doubt be going through the roof. 

My wife and I were delighted with this wonderful hotel from the moment we arrived ... we didn't want to leave and had we not pre-arranged to meet family in Sorrento for a few days, we would have simply stayed on.  5 days is not long enough! This hotel simply delights from every angle, it is exquisite, wonderfully maintained with fascinating and beautiful surprises at every turn. Only Belmond can be 100% relied upon to be in perfect locations every time. which is why it was hardly surprising to discover that they are directly next door to the Ancient Greek Teatro... you literally walk out of the main entrance of the hotel and a couple of metres away is the main entrance to one of the most breathtaking ancient Teatros in the world.

Not only is Hotel Grand Timeo simply gorgeous wherever you happen to be on the property, the backdrop of the Greek Teatro, Mount Etna, the Calabrian coast and Taormina provide a never ending visual feast at this historic location of such natural beauty. From the time of its creation as a 60-room luxury hotel in the late 19th century Grand Timeo has been delighting visitors... we had no doubt that the hotel would be wonderful however our high expectations were greatly exceeded... and that doesn't happen  easily. Like many of the most iconic, famous hotels in the world, the Grand Timeo has been a holiday destination of choice for so many legendary figures from the worlds of art, literature, politics and royalty (not forgetting Hollywood which came later)  from the past 150 years.

We didn't want to leave. As a souvenir, I purchased the unique Belmond Italian Monopoly board game. 

We do stay at some wonderful hotels but you just can't beat a really perfect Grand Hotel when it comes to Italy…the very best boast beauty in every direction, wonderful restaurants and exquisite service. On Lake Como we prefer Villa d’Este. In Sicily…it just has to be the Belmond Grand Timeo. Grand Hotel Heaven.

Superb experience
We had not made a reservation but were kindly greeted and given a table for aperitif
Then they came with amuse bouche and snacks and it was stunning and the staff amazing and the Piano
Player was wonderful
The washrooms out of this world
The staff made us feel
Like 5 star guests including reception and the boutique owner
It was about $25 euros for cocktail but worth every penny

Lovely terrace view in an elegant setting with outstanding service from David and Fabio. Cocktails were 26 Euros, but they come with substantive bar snacks such as pistachios, mix of olives, and potato chips. A fair price for the setting, ambience, and superb service. I had the the Belvedere vodka with cucumber infusion, a bayleaf, etc. (forgot the name), a nice alternative to my usual dry martini. My wife asked for an herbal tea freddo, not caldo. David, prepared it superbly - did not simply add ice, but somehow chilled it with no ice in it, an artful touch. It came with excellent petit fours. Also ordered an unspecified "Traditional Italian Liquer" from molto gentile Fabio, for 18 Euros, who chose for us an excellent "ancient" Sicilian liquer - a complex port-like beverage. Overall great afternoon experience not unexpected from Belmond.

From the moment we arrived until check out we felt very welcomed and provided for. This was the final stop for our Taulk Tour and it was special.
Thanks

Wow, what a great location in town for this hotel. The room was delightful, well stocked and super comfortable. The breakfast was fantastic with very special views of the coastline and Mt Edna. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food was fresh and perfect.

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.