Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo

Set high in the rocky hills on the east coast of the island, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo has been delighting guests since 1863. Sweeping views across the sea and out to Mount Etna make this among the most striking of Sicily’s luxury hotels.

Each of the hotel’s 70 rooms and suites is decorated in Sicilian style, with white linens, Italian marble and rich wood. Your days get off to the perfect start as the sunlight streams in though your window, beckoning you outside. Start by stepping back in time and exploring the Greek theatre, a wonderfully preserved amphitheatre located next to the hotel. If it’s rest and relaxation you’re after, then the heated swimming pool surrounded by terraced gardens is a good place to start.

Admiring the view is best done with a cocktail in hand – a crisp glass of the aptly named Etna Martini is the perfect refreshment as you drink in your surroundings. With the ocean’s bounty on its doorstep, the hotel’s restaurant serves fresh seafood and Sicilian specialties to be enjoyed in the elegant dining room or on the terrace on a balmy summer’s evening. As darkness falls, you’ll be charmed by the twinkling lights of Cape Taormina and the Bay of Giardini Naxos.

The dazzling array of Belmond hotel experiences on offer leaves no shortage of things to occupy the long, sun-soaked days. Jump in a Fiat 500 and channel your inner movie star with a Godfather tour of Savoca; walk through the vineyards and enjoy a tasting of the region’s wine; or take to the skies with a helicopter tour offering views of Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands and the Agrigento Valley with its ancient Greek temples. Guests will also enjoy use of the private beach at sister hotel, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea.