Open since 1873 next to the ancient Greek Theatre. Seventy-one rooms with views to Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Belmond's Sicily flagship and the property where DH Lawrence wrote.
"Open since 1873 next to the ancient Greek Theatre in Taormina. Mount Etna views, 71 rooms, the historic Sicily luxury hotel."
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo opened in 1873 in Taormina on Sicily's east coast — built directly adjacent to the ancient Greek Theatre, with views from the property's gardens encompassing Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea — and has been continuously operated as a luxury hotel for 152 years. The property has hosted, over its operating history, a guest list including DH Lawrence (who wrote at Timeo), King Edward VII, Tennessee Williams, Greta Garbo, and most of the literary and cinematic establishment of the 20th century. Belmond (LVMH's heritage-hotel collection) has owned the property since 2014.
The 71 rooms split between the original 1873 main building (with original parquet, period furniture, and Mount Etna or Greek Theatre views) and the more contemporary additions. The Literary Suite — named for the property's literary heritage — is the property's flagship, with the largest terrace and unobstructed Greek Theatre and Etna views. The Junior Suites in the main building with Etna views are the most-requested mid-tier.
The grounds are the gardens descending from the property to the Greek Theatre's edge, the heated outdoor pool with its Mount Etna view, and the property's restaurant terrace. The Spa Timeo runs traditional Italian-luxury spa treatments. Service is the consistent Belmond standard delivered by a heavily Sicilian team.
Dining is at three restaurants. Otto Geleng — the headline Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant on the property's terrace, with views directly to the Greek Theatre and Mount Etna — is among the more architecturally-set Michelin restaurants in Italy. Literary Terrace is the all-day. Bar & Chandelier is the cocktail bar in the original 1873 main building. The wine programme is heavily Sicilian and southern Italian focused. Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is the historic Sicily luxury hotel — the property where Sicilian heritage tourism began, and the setting that defines what a Sicily honeymoon looks like in the international travel imagination.
The Sicily anniversary at the historic Greek Theatre. Book a Junior Suite with Mount Etna view. Otto Geleng Michelin dinner at sunset on the terrace overlooking the theatre and the volcano; the gardens at dawn; the Belmond service across 152 years of institutional memory. The anniversary at Timeo is the historic, photographable Sicily anniversary.
The Sicily honeymoon at Belmond's flagship. The Greek Theatre, Mount Etna, the Ionian Sea, the literary heritage — the combination of these elements at the Timeo's particular angle is what defines the international image of Sicily luxury. Book a Mount Etna-view suite. Plan dinners at Otto Geleng around sunset over the volcano.
The Greek Theatre at sunset, the Otto Geleng terrace at sunset over Mount Etna, or the gardens descending toward the theatre are the three settings the Timeo arranges most. The hotel's events team handles the orchestration with the precision of a property that has hosted many such moments since 1873.
Via Teatro Greco 59
98039 Taormina (Messina), Sicily
Adjacent to the ancient Greek Theatre, Taormina; 60 min from Catania (CTA)
71 rooms across original 1873 main building
Classic Room from €900/night
Junior Suite with Etna view from €1,500
Suite from €2,800
Literary Suite from €5,500
Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Minimum stay: 2 nights (3 in peak)
Adjacent to ancient Greek Theatre
Mount Etna view from gardens and pool
Otto Geleng (Michelin-starred terrace)
Open since 1873
Belmond restoration discipline
Open: late March – early November
Peak: June–September (book 4 months ahead)
Best value: April, October
High-speed WiFi throughout
Reliable signal in all rooms and gardens
In-suite office setups on request
From €900/night. The Literary Suite needs direct Belmond contact. Otto Geleng dinner reservations book separately.
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