Have stayed in Taormina before many years ago, but more in the centre with excellent views. This hotel is just outside the centre, just as you get into Taormina. Its one saving grace on location is that there is a cable car close by to take you into the centre, so if you want to be in a quieter location then this is the one for you. The train goes by very close and some of the rooms can feel the vibration, mine did not.
Rooms are pleasant with a tiny balcony (some rooms have much bigger balconies) than mine. Bed was uncomfortable and bathroom tiny and a bit dark.
The hotel has an ok view over the water and the beach to the North, but i prefer the views from the centre from much higher up
The food at breakfast was ok, and lunch was nice, nothing special though and drinks were very expensive
I stayed here on a company trip and we had to spend nearly 10k to put in better internet facilities for about 70 people. Otherwise there is scant internet and as such its not really a business hotel
Even with 70 rooms booked the hotel was still expensive. For a location just outside the centre and for what you get in the rooms the price should be half what it is and thats primarily why its marked down - it should be 140-150 Euro's at most for a room here
I would look at a room elsewhere if I come back
Taormina is well worth seeing, being by far the nicest part of Sicily and quite frankly the main reason/place that people come to see.. you certainly wouldnt bother with the disgusting 'Palermo'
Be warned the airport is a nightmare.. you'd think it would be quiet but the lack of desks for the passport/luggage/tickets and then the passport control mean that many people miss their flights unless they allow several hours pre-the flight time (honestly be warned its worse than Delhi!)
One tip - walk out the hotel and take the first left as you go towards the cable car there are restaurants towards the bottom of some steps going down in a little bay and a small restaurant near the bottom which is far, far better than the tourist traps in the centre.
A trip to Etna and up by special vehicle transport to the carter is a must as is the Roman Theatre in Taormina
- Grand Hotel Taormina
