Overview
Grand Hotel Timeo is now open for the season until December 1, 2024.
Grand Hotel Timeo, a Belmond Hotel, is a storied hideaway in the heart of Taormina. Set high on rugged cliffs, next to the magnificent Greek Theatre, its views span majestic Mount Etna and shimmering Naxos Bay.
Since the mid-1800s, this tranquil enclave has proved irresistible to celebrated writers and Hollywood icons alike. Its famed Literary Terrace has welcomed Oscar Wilde, DH Lawrence and Truman Capote, as well as dolce vita icons Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Though close to the action, the hotel is in its own serene world, far from the crowds.
Within six acres of lush parkland, bougainvillea and roses bloom. Guests can cool off in a scenic swimming pool, enjoy alfresco massages and linger over gourmet picnics on the manicured lawns. Sun-filled rooms and suites are furnished in true Sicilian style. Many boast hypnotic views of the coast and Mount Etna or medieval rooftops. Dining is exceptional here. Michelin-starred cuisine and Sicilian specialties are savored against a backdrop of sea, sky and mountain. To sip a cocktail on the Literary Terrace, beneath the volcano’s ever-present gaze, is an unforgettable experience.
Exclusive activities include tours of Taormina by Ape Calessino, Sicilian cooking classes with local mammas, wine tastings on Mount Etna and rare access to noble palaces and artists’ studios in baroque Noto. A courtesy shuttle winds down to sister hotel, Villa Sant’Andrea, on a stunning private beach. Luxurious beach cabanas and candlelit waterside dining await.
Exclusive Amenities
- Full American Breakfast for two daily at The Restaurant (included in the rate)
- $100 USD Food & Beverage credit, per room, per stay (not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Welcome Fruit and Flowers
- Broadband WiFi Access
The following amenities are subject to availability at the time of check-in:
Check In: 3:00 PM
Check Out: 12:00 Noon
Local Area Attractions
Adventures on Mount Etna
A visit to Europe's largest volcano offers an incredible chance to see lava flows up close.
Guests at Grand Hotel Timeo can join a tailor-made Mount Etna tour, visiting Alcantara Gorge, local farms to sample Etna's bounty and atmospheric lava caverns such as the "Grotta dei Ladroni".
Aeolian Islands Tour
Discover the exceptional beauty of the Aeolian Islands aboard a private yacht.
Aboard a private yacht guests will visit the volcanoes of Stromboli, the lush foliage of Salina and picture-perfect Panarea. They will stop in secluded bays and can choose to dine on board or ashore in an authentic fish restaurant.
The Godfather Tour
Relive the set of Ford Coppola's masterpiece.
The Godfather was filmed in Savoca, 20 minutes north of Taormina. This typical Sicilian village will resonate with fans of Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece. Guests will jump aboard a vintage car and follow in Al Pacino's footsteps, visiting Bar Vitelli and the Church of St Lucia.
Casa Cuseni
Visit the house of English water colorist Robert Hawthorn Kitson.
Guests at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo Spend can visit the house of English watercolorist Robert Hawthorn Kitson. They will spend the day discovering the spectacular architecture of this masterpiece of the Arts and Crafts movement, its authentic Sicilian decorations and priceless art. The hidden frescos by Sir Frank Brangwyn are not to be missed!
Luxurious Cabanas
Hire a private beach cabana and retreat to a personal sanctuary beside the azure sea.
Guests can hire a private beach cabana and retreat to a personal sea-side sanctuary at the hotel's sister property Villa Sant’Andrea. Perfect for up to four guests, each is equipped with a comfortable sofa, table, minibar, tented veranda and two sun loungers, with access to soft drinks from the minibar, fresh fruit, Evian water spray and dedicated waiter service.
Out and about with Grand Hotel Timeo
To follow the footsteps of yesteryear’s Hollywood stars and celebrities, we’ve crafted a tour in the world’s most glamorous three-wheeler, the Ape Calessino.
APE TOUR OF TAORMINA
In the company of an expert driver, guests will set off on a Dolce Vita Tour of Taormina departing from Grand Hotel Timeo. Visit Casa Cuseni, located high above Taormina’s rooftops, a beautiful, honey-stuccoed residence built by British painter Robert Kitson in the early 20th century. A visit to the town’s Botanical Gardens will follow before descending to the sparkling coast and Mazzarò Bay – perhaps stopping for a picnic on Isola Bella beach. The tour continues on the hilltop village of Castelmola to gaze at the views and indulge in a glass of almond wine at Café San Giorgio, once a regular haunt of Sir Winston Churchill. Return to Taormina for a wander along Corso Umberto I, the bustling main thoroughfare where Orson Welles, DH Lawrence and Truman Capote were known to browse. And for a glorious finale, a stop for refreshment at one of Tennessee Williams’ favorite watering holes awaits, along with the panoramic vistas of the bay and Mount Etna.