Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel

This beautiful villa-style hotel sits on a picturesquely rugged bay near Mount Etna and was originally built in 1919 as the seaside home of an English family. It retains the welcoming charm of a refined home, with freshly-made Sicilian sweet treats in your room on arrival and Baroque paintings and antiques throughout. From the subtropical gardens to the secluded beach below, the hotel’s setting evokes the glamour of a bygone era and invites you to slip onto a lounger by the small pool to sip on a classic cocktail. But when the mood takes you, a three-minute cable car ride will bring you to the shops and cultural charms of Taormina.

Many of the 71 rooms and suites boast captivating views of the Bay of Mazarro and those with a balcony or terrace are perfect for soaking in the views while enjoying al fresco breakfasts or sundowners. The restaurants and bars bring you even closer to the sea, whether dining on just-caught frutti di mare overlooking the beach at Ristorante Sant’Andrea, or sea urchins and octopus at the water’s edge at Brizza. Whether drifting away with a Jasmine and Prickly Pear body ritual in the garden spa or feasting on fresh seafood, the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea is a quietly luxurious slice of paradise.