Best Luxury Hotels in Sicily

Set on a clifftop on the edge of Taormina, the Excelsior Palace Hotel provides guests with a first-rate experience combined with plenty of luxurious and stylish touches. Couples are sure to love dining on the terrace after dark as the waves crashing on the beach provide a natural backdrop combined with the glittering lights of the town that stretches along the curving bay. Each of the hotel’s 85 rooms are extremely elegant and provides guests with exclusive touches such as large beds and bathrooms, while those who want to enjoy the best should opt for a suite with views of Mount Etna.

Set within the Isola Bella Nature Reserve, this luxurious resort features its very own beach club, meaning that guests will find it very easy to enjoy their time in the sun. The resort underwent a full refurbishment in 2016 and guests are sure to love the modern amenities, which include the award-winning Expire Spa featuring a Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and a selection of skin treatments, the onsite Fusion Restaurant and more than 200 sun loungers set right on the sand. There are just 58 guestrooms and three large suites, which means that guests at La Plage Resort are treated to plenty of privacy and a feeling of intimate decadence that is absent from larger establishments. Taking the cable car down the side of the hill to reach the town centre is an enchanting experience that guests who have a strong sense of adventure will not want to miss.

Those who want the chance to get back into the swing of things while surrounding themselves with pure luxury are sure to love this boutique resort, which comes complete with its own 18-hole golf course. Guests are treated to more than 4,000 metres of space to explore or for those who like something less strenuous, they can retreat to the serenity of the expansive spa.  The Landscape suites provide guests with stunning views of the beautiful Sicilian beach, while those who opt for a Deluxe or Junior suite will be able to gaze out at the ocean from their private balcony.

Walking through the grounds and up the steps to the main doors of the Ashbee Hotel feels like wandering through the pages of a classic English novel and the illusion is perfectly maintained throughout the establishment. In terms of style, the rooms are decorated in soft grey and silver tones that are perfectly accented by royal purple furnishings for a real taste of decadent class, while the grounds are set with stone statues and gently bubbling fountains. Guests will want to make sure that they book early in order to secure one of the 25 rooms and suites and the hotel is so majestic that simply sitting down to dinner feels like a grand affair.

Duomo Suites & Spa Cacaptures the essence of Sicilian charm in each of its 17 rooms and suites while exuding modern design and comfort. This luxury, cinema-themed hotel offers a blissful getaway in a range of guestroom options including the unbeatable Le Grand Bleu Spa Suite – complete with a fully equipped wellness area with a private hammam, jacuzzi, and sensory shower. Some rooms have balconies that offer alfresco relaxation in the centre of Catania. The hotel is ideally located a stone’s throw from the charming and bustling Duomo Square and provides a serene sanctuary for guests to enjoy thanks to the indulgent on-site spa. Duomo Suites & Spa Catania is the ideal getaway for those wishing to discover the secrets of Catania and its rich history.

The luxurious 5-star Palazzo Sangiorgio is a first-class, contemporary getaway in the heart of Catania. The hotel building itself is full of history while the modern interior exudes comfort and sophistication. There are 25 guestrooms made up of Superior and Deluxe rooms in addition to 5 suite types. Each of the spacious rooms has been stylishly decorated and is a cosy retreat for travellers. The exquisite on-sire Ristorante Basalto offers nothing but culinary excellence in a truly stunning setting. Guests can indulge in specially crafted, sumptuous Sicilian dishes and authentic local wines while soaking up their surroundings amidst the charm of the island. The rooftop bar serves many purposes and ranges from a lively bar with a DJ to a relaxing solarium area with a mini pool. The fully equipped Magma Harmony Spa is the perfect place to relax and treat yourself to a specialist treatment. Palazzo Sangiorgio is also home to spectacular event spaces for hosting anything from a simple business meeting to a swanky celebration. 

This Grand Hotel takes its name from the two large palms outside and has served as a private residence in times past. Reminiscent of the art nouveau era (thanks to a 1907 refurbishment by Ernesto Basile), this palatial property dates back to the late 19th century and exudes old-world grandeur. Yet it remains a family-friendly hotel and accepts pets too. 98 bedrooms here have a classical design, but with mod cons including soundproofing and minibars. With a space dedicated to mixology, this is the place to enjoy a cocktail or two, while the Neo-Bistrot provides a truly Sicilian culinary experience and the Ouverture Terrace offers Mediterranean cuisine in romantic surroundings.

Each room at Villa Igiea is completely unique. Olga Polizzi – in collaboration with Paolo Moschino – designed the bedrooms and suites to create a serene feel that echoes the island’s own vibes. Classical meets contemporary, with feature lighting, tall windows and marble bathrooms. Formal dining takes place in Florio Restaurant, housed in an original Louis XVI hall, with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, with more casual meals hosted in a winter garden room. The cuisine is local, both in terms of recipes and produce. A spa offers multi-sensory healing techniques and the hotel has its own dock, with a Villa boat offering water-based excursions.

The colour palette at this elegant hotel has been selected to mirror the hues found in local nature — turquoise blues, earthy browns and neutral shades. There are 40 bedrooms, all with king-size beds and free minibars, some with balconies. Days at the Airone City Hotel begin with a breakfast buffet, featuring homemade cakes including the speciality Airone Wellness Hotel pastry, as well as plenty of savoury options. A highlight is the outdoor hydro-pool and waterfall surrounded by chairs and parasols. Garage parking is available and the hotel has a lounge bar serving light meals.

Over a century old, this elaborate and effortlessly classy villa first belonged to a Cornish native. Found in the seaside suburb of Taormina, it has direct access to a private beach and charming views from the wrought iron balconies. Inside you’ll find Baroque artwork, marble staircases and room scents by Ortigia. There’s a kids club and programme of themed activities for the bambinos, watersports onsite, a spa and a terrace restaurant. Guests also have access to its sister hotel, the Grand Hotel Timeo, in Taormina itself (a free shuttle bus will whisk you there in moments).

A former Dominican monastery, this 15th-century palazzo has been converted into a hotel, with views of the Mediterranean Sea, Mount Etna and its lush gardens. The double Michelin-starred Principe Cerami restaurant, serving exquisite Sicilian menus curated by Etna-born chef Massimo Mantarro, enjoys a romantic setting and is a real highlight of any stay here. Further amenities include a bar and a lounge, a large outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa offering treatments using organic products. The San Domenico Palace is within walking distance from the historic centre.