Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo Review: Discover Sicilian Luxury

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy”

— Giuseppe Verdi

Have you been drawn to Sicily after watching White Lotus Season 2? You’re not alone. The show highlights Sicily's beauty, history, landscapes, and food, making it a popular destination for all travelers. So, if you want to experience this magical island for yourself (without the drama of course) - I can let you in on a little secret.

Even way before the show aired, Sicily has been a dreamy getaway for people worldwide. This Mediterranean hot spot has a rich history influenced by ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, creating a diverse cultural tapestry. Located along Sicily's eastern coast lies Taormina; perched atop rugged cliffs with panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, the town has enchanted travelers with its charming streets, historic ruins, and vibrant atmosphere.

While the Four Seasons may have been the go-to choice for Tanya, Cameron, and all the other characters, the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo offers a refined and elegant setting for your Sicilian adventure. Nestled in the heart of town, this luxurious property mixes refined hospitality, rich history, and breathtaking views of Mount Etna.

Curious to find out more? Let’s review Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo while we cover all aspects of the hotel, from the rooms to the location:

The Location

Grand Hotel Timeo is located in Taormina, on the east coast of Sicily, about an hour's drive north of Catania. The hotel itself is right in the center of town, next to the ancient Greek theater and within walking distance of Taormina's shops and restaurants. It sits high above the sea, so you also get incredible views of the coastline and Mount Etna.

One of the things I love about Sicily is that it still feels very traditional in places. If I had to compare it to another part of Italy, I'd probably say Puglia, where you get a similar feeling when exploring the smaller towns and villages. Taormina itself is definitely one of Sicily's more popular destinations, but you don't have to go far to see a completely different side of the island.

The hotel is around an hour's drive from Catania Airport, and you can arrange a private transfer directly through the hotel. I'd recommend doing this if you're not planning to explore Sicily by car. The roads around Taormina can be narrow and very steep, and parking is limited.

If you do rent a car, I'd personally choose an automatic, especially if you're not completely confident driving a manual on steep hills. Luckily, Grand Hotel Timeo offers valet parking, so once you reach the hotel, you can simply hand over the keys and they'll park the car for you.

Getting to the hotel is an experience in itself, though. You'll need permission to drive into the center of Taormina, and the final part takes you through a very busy tourist area where you don't normally see many cars. People aren't exactly expecting you to drive through, so they don't always move out of the way—and honestly, I don't blame them. Just take it slowly and be prepared for a slightly stressful final few minutes before handing your car over to the valet.

The Rooms

The rooms at Grand Hotel Timeo have a classic Italian style, with traditional Sicilian details that give them a real sense of place. It's something you'll recognize from other Belmond properties in Italy, like Splendido in Portofino, where the rooms also feel traditional without being dated.

Depending on the room you book, you'll have views of the sea, the hotel's gardens, or the streets of Taormina. Some rooms and suites also come with a private terrace, which is definitely worth considering if you want to make the most of the Sicilian weather.

The hotel's location also means the rooms feel surprisingly quiet. Grand Hotel Timeo sits at the end of a street and is surrounded by large gardens, so despite being right in the center of Taormina, you don't really notice how busy the town can get.

The Restaurant

If you're looking for great Sicilian food with an equally impressive view, you don't even have to leave the hotel. Timeo has two restaurants to choose from, and when the weather cooperates, you can dine outside on the terrace overlooking the coastline and Mount Etna. It reminded me a little of dining at La Sponda at Le Sirenuse in Positano — you're there for the food, of course, but the view is very much part of the experience. Just keep in mind that it can get quite windy at Timeo because of the hotel's location.

Ristorante Timeo is the more relaxed of the two and serves Sicilian dishes à la carte, while Otto Geleng is the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant and offers a tasting menu. I enjoyed both, but personally preferred Ristorante Timeo. The tasting menu at Otto Geleng was quite generous, and by the third course, I was already getting full. Since both restaurants have the same incredible view, I preferred being able to choose exactly what I wanted to eat at Ristorante Timeo.

Breakfast was another highlight. There were plenty of options, and you could taste that everything was fresh. When the weather is nice, breakfast is also served on the terrace, so you can start the day with coffee, Italian pastries, and fresh juice while enjoying the view.

And here's a tip: you don't have to stay at Grand Hotel Timeo to enjoy the terrace. You can also stop by for a drink at the bar and order their signature Timeo Spritz, which is a great option if you want to see the hotel and enjoy the view without booking a room.

The Amenities

Grand Hotel Timeo has everything you'd expect from a luxury hotel, including a swimming pool surrounded by gardens, a spa with a sauna and steam room, and a fitness center. But I'd definitely recommend spending some time outside the hotel as well, as there's so much to do around Taormina.

We booked a tour to Mount Etna followed by lunch and a wine tasting at a local winery, and it was one of my favorite things we did in Sicily. The volcanic soil has a big influence on the wines produced around Etna, and you'll often notice a distinctive mineral character. Even if you're not a huge wine expert, I think combining the volcano with a winery is such a fun way to spend a day and see more of the area.

You can also book boat trips along the coast or take a Sicilian cooking class. If I had to compare Sicily to destinations like the Amalfi Coast or Lake Como, I'd say it feels a little more rugged and less polished—and I mean that in the best possible way. Instead of your entire trip being about beautiful hotels and glamorous towns, there's a lot to explore beyond them, from Mount Etna and local wineries to smaller towns and beaches.

The Verdict

Overall, I really enjoyed our stay at Grand Hotel Timeo. The location alone is hard to beat: you're right in the center of Taormina, next to the ancient Greek theater, yet once you're inside the hotel and surrounded by the gardens, you don't really notice how busy the town can get. Add the views of Mount Etna and the coastline, and you have a pretty special setting.

We also had some great meals at both Ristorante Timeo and Otto Geleng, although Ristorante Timeo was my personal favorite. Being able to sit outside on the terrace with those views was a big part of the experience for me, whether it was for dinner, breakfast, or simply having a drink.

The atmosphere is also worth mentioning. Since Grand Hotel Timeo is a Belmond hotel, it has more of that quiet luxury feel than you might find at a hotel like a Four Seasons. It's still very much a five-star hotel, but the luxury feels a little more understated and less formal.

One of my favorite memories is actually a very small one. We were staying at Grand Hotel Timeo for my birthday, and at breakfast, one of the waiters quietly brought me a glass of champagne and whispered, "Happy Birthday." There was no big fuss or embarrassing singing—thankfully—but it was such a thoughtful gesture and genuinely made my morning.

I think that moment sums up the service at Grand Hotel Timeo quite well. The staff are attentive and make you feel looked after, but everything still feels very natural rather than overly formal.

If you're planning a trip to Sicily and want to spend a few days in Taormina, Grand Hotel Timeo is definitely a hotel I'd recommend. You can walk straight out of the hotel and explore the town, spend an afternoon by the pool, enjoy dinner overlooking Mount Etna, and use it as a base to see more of Sicily. For me, it had the right balance between being a hotel that feels special enough to spend time at while still making you want to go out and explore everything around it.

I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer them. Happy Travels!

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