Sicily Hotels|Taormina, Italy

San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel

Name: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel
Address: Piazza San Domenico, 5, Taormina, 98039, Italy
Telephone: 39-0942-613111

An enchanting cliffside retreat with history

VERIFIED LUXURY

Learn How We Inspect

History and romance abound at the striking San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel. With its scenic location on a cliff overlooking Taormina’s winding alleyways, majestic Mount Etna and the bright blue Ionian Sea, the 111-room luxury ...

Our Inspector's Highlights

The Sicily hotel enchants you with its beautiful cloisters, manicured gardens, private seaview terraces and easy access to Taormina. A highlight of Sicily’s east coast, this ancient hilltop is known for its Greek amphitheater (dating to A.D. 301), boutiques, restaurants and historic architecture.
Don’t miss the hotel’s signature restaurant, Principe Cerami, which is named after the nobleman who turned the monastery into a hotel. Today, the restaurant is helmed by Sicilian chef Massimo Mantarro, who serves refined tasting menus highlighting the Mediterranean’s bounty: marinated cuttlefish tagliatelle, braised ox cheek with Sicilian vermouth and more.
In addition to exceptional fine dining, you can enjoy Mediterranean seafood and creative cocktails at Anciovi, just beside the clifftop infinity pool (open April to November), or international all-day dining at Bar & Chiostro. For something more exclusive, book a private group meal at Sala Teatro — a venue overlooking Taormina Bay that’s large enough for 35 guests — and let chef Mantarro work his magic for you.
Keep an eye out for historical features across the hotel, from the fireplaces inscribed with Latin writing to the restored ceiling frescoes and the ancient water well in the center of the grand cloister. Those who want to learn more can request private guided tours of the property and its collection of timeless artwork.
The hotel’s curated excursions enable more profound connections with Sicily's food, people and beauty. Savor ricotta with fresh-baked bread at a local farm, admire the night sky over a private dinner on Mount Etna, explore the volcanic Aeolian Islands via luxury yacht and learn how to make sushi using fresh Sicilian seafood.

The Rooms

From the moment you enter the luxury hotel through a 17th-century portal, you’ll be immersed in history, art and architecture. Check in at the stately marble reception surrounded by monastic furniture juxtaposed by ornate chandeliers, then let the staff whisk you away to your private oasis.
Naples-born architect Valentina Pisani, who oversaw the design of the interiors, expertly blends the contemporary elegance of the Four Seasons brand with the property’s Old World grandeur. Across the 111 rooms, which have footprints ranging from about 301 to 1,507 square feet, you’ll find smoked mirrors, bronze details and luxurious materials like Patagonian marble.
Most accommodations are converted monks’ quarters, but don’t expect austere settings. Serene and understated, the sanctuary-like rooms and suites go well beyond the essentials to surround you in luxury and comfort. Look forward to terraces, chevron wood flooring, full marble bathrooms and a soothing palette of natural shades inspired by the mountains and sea.
Breathtaking views are everywhere, especially in the five kinds of specialty suites. For example, the 872- to 882-square-foot Etna Suite takes in Mount Etna. Meanwhile, the 969-square-foot Princess Cecile Suite overlooks the Ionian Sea, the steep and winding streets of the Taormina below and the property’s lush, lemon tree-filled gardens.
Of the 15 types of guest rooms and suites available, the grandest is the Royal Suite, a 1,507-square-foot top-floor space boasting a terrace, Jacuzzi and vistas of the Greek theater and sea — an excellent choice for extended stays, families or just-because getaways.

Amenities