Hotel Snapshot
Palazzo Vecchio Taormina is a 12-room luxury boutique hotel in the center of Taormina, Sicily, rated five stars and priced from $685 per night. The historic 19th-century Baroque-style mansion is located right off the main pedestrian street of Corso Umberto in the heart of the ancient city, with views overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna. See our full review of Palazzo Vecchio below.
—-- Taormina is a hilltop city in Sicily that feels akin to stepping onto a movie set—fitting as it was the backdrop to the second season of “The White Lotus,” though it was famous with vacation-goers long before its moment on the small screen.
Tourism has boomed on the island since the 18th century and shows no signs of stopping, with travelers wandering the charming historic district, indulging in local cuisine and wine, visiting the ancient Greco-Roman theater ruins, and lounging on the shore of the many beaches. Dazzling views of the Ionian Sea and the island’s most notorious resident volcano create a scenic masterpiece, while the city’s stunning and intricate architecture is a beautifully eclectic reminder of thousands of years of influence from the Byzantines, Arabs, Romans, and Normans. And there’s no better spot to call home while you’re experiencing Sicily than Palazzo Vecchio Taormina. Despite being in the center of Sicily’s most popular city, my spacious suite felt like a quiet escape; the hustle and bustle of tourists was left behind with a short detour up a cobblestone staircase to a historic mansion turned boutique hotel. With only 12 rooms, the property delivers an intimate atmosphere, something that the typically crowded Taormina can’t match. Toss in the 5-star service, palatial rooftop terrace, spa, and one of the city’s best restaurants, and you’ll likely want to move in permanently.
Design & Character
A design trifecta of Venetian-Gothic, Baroque, and Mediterranean touches makes Palazzo Vecchio Taormina just as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your slumbering soul. The restored mansion opened in 2023 and balances past and present throughout its rooms and common areas, with a style combination of period furniture, grand arches, long, sophisticated drapes, and Italian artwork with modern wallpapers and textiles, rattan furnishings, and an airy shabby-chic color palette.
Every single corner of the Palazzo screams luxury, without feeling pretentious—the vision of owner Stefano Gegnacorsi and architect Andrea Perra. Their goal was to reignite the feel of the Grand Tour era, when wealthy aristocrats and artists sparked the birth of luxury hospitality—I’d have to say they nailed it.
The Rooms
Spread over three floors, the Palazzo has 12 rooms and suites, each with a distinct design. The lowest level of room is the Superior, cozy but comfortable in size, with city views out of the Gothic-Catalan style windows and private balconies, and king-size beds. Next up are the Deluxe Rooms, with added vintage touches and space, with a four-poster bed and clawfoot tub.
The Deluxe Junior Suites add a living area, and the Executive Junior Suites can accommodate a third guest. The Sea View Deluxe Junior Suite boasts incredible views over the Ionian Sea, with Moroccan-style details like coral accent colors and patterned tiles. The Sea View Executive Junior Suite is a Mediterranean oasis, fit for three guests, and, of course, comes with sweeping ocean views. Saving the best for last, the Sea View Premium Junior Suite provides a deep marble jacuzzi tub in the bathroom and a plush living room area, in addition to panoramic views of the city and coast.
You can’t go wrong with any room here in the Palazzo, but I highly recommend treating yourself to one of the suites with a sea view, because it’s vacation, after all.
Food & Drink
It’s somewhat of a rarity to find one of any city’s best restaurants housed in a hotel, but the on-site Monsù Restaurant is certainly that rule breaker. Think: indoor garden party with abundant natural light. Impeccably curated floral arrangements and vines stretching upwards along the walls infuse a courtyard vibe, making the setting a 10/10. The space doubles as the breakfast room, where I slowly sipped the cappuccino of my dreams and dug into a fluffy omelet with spring onion and pecorino, plus a slice of local ricotta and honey toast. Don’t skip the freshly squeezed Sicilian orange juice—trust me on this one.
Traditional Sicilian dishes with a modern twist like seared tuna, housemade ncasciata Sicilian-style pasta, and Norma-style fish fillet grace the dinner menu in the romantic evening garden setting. Tiramisu is legendary here and is made tableside. Grab an aperitivo or a glass of wine from one of the property’s two bars: one lounge adjacent to the restaurant with velvet armchairs, and the Blue Sky Bar, arguably the most coveted drink spot in all of Taormina.
Drink your Aperol Spritz, Cumpari, a signature cocktail (Sicilian whiskey, St-Germain, ginger beer), or a glass of Nero d'Avola, a local red wine from the rooftop overlooking Mount Etna, the city, and the sea. The seasonal terrace is open (weather permitting) from 6 p.m. until midnight, May through October.
Amenities
Amenities are plentiful at Palazzo Vecchio Taormina. The concierge is happy to arrange reservations for dining or tours, with the hotel offering specialized excursions like its nostalgic Godfather Tour to filming sites like Savoca and Forza d’Agrò, or a thrilling Jeep tour on Mount Etna. There’s a luxurious wellness center with an assortment of treatments, a Turkish bath, a hot tub, and a relaxation lounge. The hotel provides a shuttle to its partner’s private beach club if you prefer to relax by the seaside.
Opt for a private check-in or check-out, and valet parking (in a public lot) is available for an additional €35 a day.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Situated right off Taormina’s main shopping street in the historic old town district, Palazzo Vecchio Taormina gives you a home base for exploring that’s smack dab in the middle of everything. Eateries and shops are walkable, and a visit to the ancient open-air theater ruins is a must (15-minute walk).
In addition to the hotel’s restaurant, there are many dining options to choose from that are well within reach. Grab pizza at La Napoletana, sip an aperitivo in Piazza Duomo to people-watch, or head to the hotel’s rooftop bar at sunset. Make a reservation for dinner at Villa Carlotta’s Euphoria Restaurant. Make sure to try the typical Sicilian breakfast of granita and brioche at one of the many cafes, the most famous being Bam Bar. Skip the line for Osteria da Rita. I found the food and overall experience to be highly overrated; there are far better restaurants in Taormina. Spend an afternoon at the private beach club, or take a boat tour out to Isola Bella, a picturesque island and nature reserve offshore, with clear turquoise water.
Fast Facts
Address: Salita Ciampoli, 9, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy Neighborhood: Historic Old Town
Star Rating: 5
Starting Rate: $685 Room Count: 12
Vibe: Ultra high-end but laid-back.
Amenities: Concierge, valet parking, breakfast, rooftop terrace, on-site restaurant, and bars.
Nearby: Teatro Antico di Taormina, Corso Umberto, Mount Etna, Isola Bella, Villagonia Beach, Taormina Cable Car, Piazza Duomo Taormina.
Nearest Airport: Catania Fontanarossa Airport
Taormina, Italy
