Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Italy
Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina
Via Teatro Greco 59, 98039 Taormina, Sicily, Italy
www.belmond.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Belmond
Owners
LVMH
Date of Creation
1873, property of Belmond since 2010
Hotel General Manager
A native Sicilian, Massimiliano Puglisi has travelled and worked extensively throughout his 22 years of experience in luxury hospitality. Having worked with numerous renowned luxury hotel brands in the United Kingdom, Spain and the United States,he has developed a strong guest-focused approach and strived to understand what makes each hotel unique. He has consistently led the team to create bespoke guest experiences, proven by great results and success throughout his career.
Hotel Positioning
5-star luxury
GRAND HOTEL TIMEO, A BELMOND HOTEL, TAORMINA
History & Story
Don Francesco La Floresta’s decision to convert his house into a hotel in 1873 made perfect sense. Ever since Prussian artist Otto Geleng returned to the mainland with watercolours depicting views from his guesthouse, he had received visitor after visitor. People from all over Europe wanted to see the panoramas for themselves. Well over a hundred years later, Grand Hotel Timeo’s breathtaking vistas and unique charm continue to enchant.
Date Renewal
Light refurbishment every year. The Pool Grill and bar area have fully renovated recently.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• Stunning location adjacent to the Greek Theatre and right in the centre of Taormina
• Unparalleled views on the Naxos Bay and Mount Etna
• Six-acre tropical gardens and panoramic swimming pool
• Superb regional cooking and Michelin-starred restaurant by Executive Chef, Roberto Toro
• Complimentary shuttle service to sister property Villa Sant’Andrea in the bay of Taormina Mare
• Private beach with luxury cabanas and kids’ club available at sister property Villa Sant’Andrea
• Complimentary daily boat excursions during summer at sister property Villa Sant’Andrea
Location
Located right next to the magnificent Greek Theatre, the hotel boasts a prime position in the heart of Taormina.
Key sites/activities in the area
• Combine a fascinating trek on Mount Etna with a tasting of some exceptional volcanic wines.
• Take a tour of Taormina on the world’s most glamorous three-wheeler, the Ape Calessino
• Discover the secrets of Noto. Visit sumptuous palaces, savour the best traditional pastries at Caffé Sicilia and enjoy exclusive access to Sergio Fiorentino’s atelier.
• Explore a clam farm near Messina and meet a local firsherman.
• Sail to the magical island of Filicudi to feast on warm Aeolian hospitality.
• Take in a show at the ancient Greek theatre, adjacent to Grand Hotel Timeo.
Fun Facts
Otto Geleng is a culinary novelty launched by Grand Hotel Timeo to celebrate the 145 years since it opened its doors. Born in 2018 as a fine-dining restaurant, after only one year it has been awarded its first Michelin star. The exclusive location serves dinner only and is open to parties of up to 16 guests – the perfect location to enjoy a memorable evening.
In 2022, the hotel teamed up with the internationally acclaimed Galleria Continua for a thrilling new art project, titled MITICO. Cameroonian artist Pascale Marthine Tayou installed two of his works, ‘Les Routes duParadis’, a coloured path leading from our grounds into the Greek Theatre, and ‘Totem Cristal’, four human-sized totems, exploring movement. Particularly, Tayou explores the significance of individuals movingthrough time and space, and how this impacts upon the convergence of identities.
Children’s Corner
From May to October, in a dedicated area next to the lobby of our sister property Villa Sant’Andrea, our Smile Club provides a supervised playroom where children can come and enjoy some time together with a professional English-speaking tutor. They can participate in exciting activities such as seashells hunting on the beach, authentic Sicilian cannoli making and many more.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
Choose from 46 rooms and 24 suites, most with terraces or balconies affording spellbinding views over the coastline. The décor evokes traditional Sicilian style with a charming blend of elegance and comfort. As well as the Timeo Building, guests can stay in Villa Flora, a country house just 50 metres (164 feet) away.
• Grand Hotel Timeo Two-Bedroom Suite
• Greek Theatre Suite
• Deluxe Sea View Suite with Balcony or Terrace
• Premium Sea View Junior Suite with Terrace
• Deluxe Sea View Junior Suite with Balcony or Terrace
• Superior Sea View Junior Suite with Balcony
• Deluxe Sea View Room
• Villa Flora Family Room
• Villa Flora Gallery Room
• Villa Flora Room with Sea View and Balcony
• Villa Flora Superior Room
Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 70
All accommodation includes: air conditioning – 24-hour room service – Mini-bar – Complimentary wireless/wired internet – Twice-daily housekeeping service – Satellite TV – DVD player upon request – Courtesy lines by Acqua di Parma – Nespresso machines and Bose SoundLink speakers in all Junior Suites and Suites
Restaurants & Bars
• Otto Geleng:Join us in our intimate restaurant, seating just 16 diners, that conjures up the ambience of a noble Sicilian family home. Sit at a table set with baroque-inspired silver cutlery and locally handcrafted table linen and absorb the views. Our Executive Chef, Roberto Toro, has created a menu that pays homage to authentic Mediterranen cuisine, including his signature dish Otto di Mare.
• Ristorante Timeo
Soak up the mesmerising views of Mount Etna and the sea from our spectacular terrace. Feast on Sicilian specialties, accompanied by irresistible local wines.
• Pool Grill
Live cooking, stunning views of Naxos Bay and delicious organic ingredients await you in this shaded,fully-refurbished dining spot. Savour the freshest meat or fish of the day cooked using a Josper Charcoal Oven.
• Bar Timeo
Order a cool cocktail and relax as you absorb vistas that have entranced great writers and artists through the ages. Inside, the bar’s elegant Sicilian carpentry and antique fittings evoke a 19th-century winter garden. Enjoy piano music in the lounge area from 19:00 till late.
• Pool Bar
Take a seat beside the sun-splashed pool for a spritz or traditional cocktail. Whatever you order, stunning views of Naxos bay are the perfect accompaniment.
Wellness
We invite you to enjoy unbridled Sicilian indulgence at our wellness centre in the verdant gardens. We offer three single treatment rooms, and a couple’s treatment room. We also have a hairdressing salon offering a full range of services. Sport-lovers can stay active in the Fitness Centre fitted with new Technogym equipment and a variety of exercise machines to help you maintain your exercise regime. A personal trainer can be booked upon request.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Our sublime venues, set in colourful gardens with their own private entrance, include palatial ballrooms and outdoor terraces boasting beautiful views of the Greek Theatre, Mount Etna and Bay of Naxos. The hotel is ideal for weddings and celebrations, as well as corporate meetings and incentives.
Extra Notable Features
Guests can enjoy the facilities of sister property Villa Sant’Andrea and its private beach. The two properties are connected with a complimentary shuttle service.
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2022
Condé Nast Traveller, Readers’ Choice Awards, Italy #17
2021
Travel + Leisure, 500 Best Hotels
2020
Condé Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Awards, Top 20 Hotels in Italy #11
Number of employees
Up to 150