Mediterranee Hotel

We first came here 19 years ago and fell in love with it. Since then we've done pretty much every type of accommodation- from soulless AI with mini disco in Spain/Turkey in the small children years, to relaxed SC apartments in Greece, but HM held a little place in our hearts. The slightly kitsch 60s charm of the decor (happy to see the light fittings hadn't changed) and air of old fashioned courtesy and customer service gives it a vibe other places just don't have. Rooms are spotless and the pool often so quiet, it's like having a private villa (albeit with Aperol Spritz only a phonecall away). The pool is my absolute favourite place - largely because it's got a proper deep end and a view over Etna and the sea. The breakfast/ bar terrace comes a close second. Staff are fantastic and incredibly helpful. There's also a sister hotel on the beach, where you can book a taxi+ beds+ towels for (in high season) £10e each. Take water shoes and a snorkel. If you're looking for a place with a volcanic view, only minutes away from people watching on the Corso Umberto, then this is the place.

Location: Location is good, being at the very beginning part of Taormina’s bustling Main Street but it requires an uphill walk and stairs to get there. Breakfast: Free breakfast was included in my stay but the food was disappointing. They also put the cheese and salami touching each other so it limits people with food restrictions from enjoying it. The cappuccino they made me was bad and the milk tasted old. The only thing worth eating was the croissant and cereal. Hotel: It’s pretty old, there’s an elevator thankfully and the rooms were ok (the view was great) but the bathrooms were small and the showers were like prison showers. You have to be very tiny to fit into the tiny shower. Water pressure was good but the shower was the size of a coffin. After using the shower the water drips all night. The walls are paper thin so if you are having a conversation at night the person next door can hear you. I can’t even watch TV in the evening because the walls are so thin and if you have people going to bed early they will complain. This hotel is just old and not family friendly to me. Our neighbors didn’t like us watching tv in the evening and the reception came and yelled at us to go to bed. If it’s a hotel I am in my right to watch tv in the evenings especially when it is not that late! Twice I came back from dinner past 11 pm and I didn’t see anyone at the front desk to let me in. You have to ring a doorbell and after ringing it many times someone finally comes out to let you in so the 24/7 reception is not totally true. AC: For some reason during my stay they would shut off the AC around noon and it would stay off for several hours and I had no control over it. This was very strange to me. They said it was for repairs but I think they shut it off to lower their electricity bill. Amenities: they provided shower gel but nothing else in the bathroom. Luckily they provided bedroom slippers. There is a nice pool and garden on the top. If you are wondering about the prices - they charge as much as a Marriott or Hilton property but the value is only in the view and location and nothing else.

It was a pleasant experience... it felt like going back to the 70s and 80s, but with a sweet nostalgia. Excellent location... breathtaking view of Mount Etna and the Gulf of Guardini. Congratulations to the owner who manages his hotel with passion, kindness, and pride!!