Sicily is large enough to offer several completely different vacations within the same island. You can stay beside the ancient Greek Theatre in Taormina, sleep in an elegant Palermo palace, enjoy the Baroque atmosphere of Ortigia, relax among Mount Etna’s vineyards or escape to a secluded Mediterranean resort.
I selected these ten hotels from properties currently listed on Trip.com, considering location, guest feedback, distinctive character, amenities and suitability for exploring different parts of Sicily. They are not arranged solely by price or luxury level; each one offers a particularly memorable Sicilian experience.
Hotel prices and rankings change according to travel dates, room type and availability. Always check the current conditions, cancellation policy and total price before reserving.
1. San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel
Location: Taormina
Best for: Iconic Sicilian luxury and special occasions
San Domenico Palace occupies a former 14th-century convent on a promontory overlooking the Ionian Sea. Its cloisters, gardens and historic architecture create an unmistakable sense of place, while the terraces provide some of Taormina’s most memorable coastal views.
The hotel is close to Corso Umberto and the Greek Theatre, making it possible to explore central Taormina on foot. Elegant rooms, swimming pools, sophisticated restaurants and highly personalized service place it among Sicily’s most prestigious hotels.
It is also internationally known as one of the principal filming locations for the second season of The White Lotus. However, its appeal extends far beyond television fame: this is a genuine Sicilian landmark.
Why I selected it: The combination of history, location, service and views makes San Domenico Palace one of Sicily’s defining luxury hotels.
View San Domenico Palace on Trip.com
2. Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel
Location: Taormina
Best for: Romantic views and historic elegance
Grand Hotel Timeo stands beside Taormina’s ancient Greek Theatre, in one of the most privileged positions on the island. Its terraces and gardens look across the coastline toward Mount Etna and the Bay of Naxos.
The hotel combines classical Sicilian elegance with polished contemporary service. Guests can enjoy landscaped gardens, a panoramic swimming pool, fine dining and access to the beach facilities at its sister property, Villa Sant’Andrea.
I would choose it for a romantic anniversary, honeymoon or an indulgent first visit to Sicily. Its central location also allows guests to enjoy Taormina early in the morning and evening, when many day visitors have departed.
Why I selected it: Few Sicilian hotels can equal its setting beside the Greek Theatre or its panoramic views.
View Grand Hotel Timeo on Trip.com
3. Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Location: Palermo
Best for: A luxurious stay near Sicily’s capital
Villa Igiea is a restored Belle Époque palace overlooking the Gulf of Palermo. Its frescoes, grand staircases, gardens and waterfront terraces recall the glamorous period when Palermo was an important destination for European aristocrats and international travelers.
The hotel offers a peaceful alternative to staying directly within Palermo’s energetic historic center. Guests can spend the day visiting markets, churches and palaces before returning to the swimming pool, gardens and sea-facing terraces.
The location is particularly suitable for travelers who want to experience Palermo while maintaining the atmosphere of a Mediterranean resort.
Why I selected it: Villa Igiea successfully combines the cultural attractions of Palermo with the relaxation of a waterfront retreat.
4. Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Location: Near Sciacca
Best for: Golf, wellness and a complete resort vacation
Verdura Resort extends across an immense coastal estate in southwestern Sicily. It is an excellent option for travelers who want beaches, swimming pools, golf, spa treatments and restaurants within a single property.
The contemporary architecture is deliberately low-rise and integrated into the surrounding landscape. Rooms and suites provide a sense of space and privacy, while the resort’s sports facilities make it particularly appealing to active couples and families.
Sciacca, Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples can be incorporated into a broader itinerary, although many visitors come to Verdura primarily to relax without needing to leave the resort every day.
Why I selected it: It offers one of the most comprehensive luxury-resort experiences in Sicily.
View Verdura Resort on Trip.com
5. Mazzarò Sea Palace
Location: Mazzarò, Taormina
Best for: Beachfront luxury below Taormina
While central Taormina sits high above the sea, Mazzarò Sea Palace places guests directly beside the water. This makes it a strong choice for travelers who want to combine the restaurants and historic attractions of Taormina with convenient beach access.
The hotel faces Mazzarò Bay and offers sea-view rooms, a swimming pool, wellness facilities and direct access to the shoreline. Taormina’s historic center can be reached using the nearby cable car, although its operating schedule should be checked during the travel period.
I would recommend this hotel to visitors who consider swimming and seaside relaxation just as important as sightseeing.
Why I selected it: Its waterfront position solves one of Taormina’s main compromises—choosing between the hilltop town and the beach.
View Mazzarò Sea Palace on Trip.com
6. Monaci delle Terre Nere
Location: Zafferana Etnea
Best for: Mount Etna, wine country and sustainable luxury
Monaci delle Terre Nere provides a very different Sicilian experience. Set on an estate on the slopes of Mount Etna, the property combines a historic country house with contemporary interiors, organic agriculture and volcanic landscapes.
It is an excellent base for exploring Etna’s wineries, villages and hiking routes. Catania and Taormina can also be visited by car, although I would reserve time to enjoy the estate itself.
The atmosphere is quieter and more intimate than that of Sicily’s large coastal resorts. Couples, food lovers and travelers interested in wine and rural landscapes are likely to appreciate it most.
Why I selected it: It captures the increasingly sophisticated character of the Mount Etna wine region without losing its connection to the land.
View Monaci delle Terre Nere on Trip.com
7. Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection
Location: Syracuse
Best for: Exploring Ortigia in comfort
Ortea Palace occupies Syracuse’s former central post office, an imposing early-20th-century building overlooking Porto Piccolo. The conversion preserved the structure’s monumental character while introducing marble interiors, elegant rooms and modern facilities.
The hotel stands near the bridges leading to Ortigia, allowing guests to explore the island’s piazzas, market, waterfront and cathedral on foot. It is also well positioned for visiting the archaeological park and using Syracuse as a base for southeastern Sicily.
Travelers who enjoy historic buildings but still want the services and facilities of an international luxury hotel should find it particularly appealing.
Why I selected it: It combines a distinctive landmark building with a practical location for discovering Syracuse and Ortigia.
View Ortea Palace Hotel on Trip.com
8. Atlantis Bay
Location: Mazzarò, Taormina
Best for: Dramatic coastal scenery and sea views
Atlantis Bay is constructed along the rocky shoreline of Baia delle Sirene below Taormina. Its terraces, rooms and public spaces are oriented toward the water, giving the property the atmosphere of a secluded Mediterranean hideaway.
The hotel offers a pool, wellness treatments, dining overlooking the bay and access to the sea. As with Mazzarò Sea Palace, the nearby cable car provides a convenient connection with upper Taormina when operating.
This is a good option for couples who want a resort atmosphere and impressive views without being completely isolated from Taormina’s restaurants and attractions.
Why I selected it: The cliffside design and intimate bay setting make the hotel visually distinctive.
9. ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA
Location: Siculiana, near Agrigento
Best for: Wellness, nature and an adults-focused escape
ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA sits close to the protected coastline of Torre Salsa in southern Sicily. Its architecture uses natural materials and low-profile structures that blend into the surrounding landscape.
The extensive spa is one of the resort’s principal attractions, complemented by swimming pools, wellness programs, fitness activities and access to the coast. The Valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi can be included in excursions from the property.
Because the setting is rural, a car is useful. This is not the right hotel for travelers looking for evening nightlife outside the door, but it is ideal for restorative days surrounded by nature.
Why I selected it: It is one of Sicily’s strongest choices for a dedicated spa and wellness vacation.
View ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA on Trip.com
10. Therasia Resort Sea & Spa
Location: Vulcano, Aeolian Islands
Best for: An island escape with extraordinary sunsets
Therasia Resort occupies a panoramic position on Vulcano, one of the seven principal Aeolian Islands. From the property, guests can look across the water toward Lipari and the other volcanic islands of the archipelago.
The resort offers swimming pools, spa facilities, sea access and restaurants that make excellent use of the setting. Getting there requires additional planning, normally involving a ferry or hydrofoil, but the journey is part of the experience.
I would choose Therasia for a slower vacation centered on sea views, swimming, wellness and island excursions rather than an intensive sightseeing itinerary.
Why I selected it: It represents the volcanic beauty and secluded atmosphere that make the Aeolian Islands so different from mainland Sicily.
View Therasia Resort Sea & Spa on Trip.com
Which Sicily Hotel Should You Choose?
Your best choice depends largely on the type of Sicilian vacation you are planning:
- For the ultimate luxury experience: San Domenico Palace
- For romance and classic Taormina views: Grand Hotel Timeo
- For Palermo and cultural sightseeing: Villa Igiea
- For golf and extensive resort facilities: Verdura Resort
- For a beach stay near Taormina: Mazzarò Sea Palace
- For Mount Etna and wine country: Monaci delle Terre Nere
- For Ortigia and southeastern Sicily: Ortea Palace
- For a wellness retreat: ADLER Spa Resort SICILIA
- For an Aeolian Islands escape: Therasia Resort Sea & Spa
Sicily is much larger than many first-time visitors expect. Rather than selecting a hotel purely by appearance, I recommend deciding which part of the island you most want to explore. A Taormina hotel is convenient for eastern Sicily but not for daily excursions to Palermo or western Sicily.
For a longer trip, dividing the stay between two properties is often the best solution. For example, you could combine Palermo with Taormina, Mount Etna with Syracuse, or Agrigento with an Aeolian island.
For more destination ideas, read Italia Mia’s complete guide to the Region of Sicily and guide to the best places to stay in Sicily.
Recommended Sicily Travel Books
Search for Lonely Planet Sicily on Amazon
A practical choice for itineraries, transportation advice, attractions and regional planning.
Search for Rick Steves Sicily on Amazon
Especially useful for American visitors who want clear sightseeing advice and manageable itineraries.
Search for DK Eyewitness Sicily on Amazon
A visually oriented guide featuring maps, photographs and cultural background.
External Links
- Browse hotels in Sicily on Trip.com
- Visit Sicily – Official Tourism Website
- Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park
- Mount Etna Regional Park
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a reservation or purchase through one of these links, Italia Mia may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.