The Ashbee Hotel

Rooms

The rooms, spread across the main villa and former servant wings, are sumptuous and spacious. Some have pretty, shimmering wallpaper, others a heavy flock which we found a little oppressive, but the same calming colour scheme of chocolate, cream and magenta runs throughout. All combine classic elegance with modern touches: back-lit HD TVs sit above antique walnut tables, white panelling opens to reveal large wardrobes, and dressers hide well-stocked minibars. You also get a hairdryer, WiFi, slippers, Amber-scented Ortigia toiletries and, in most rooms, a terrace with outdoor sofas.

Standard Superior Rooms and slightly pricier Deluxe Rooms are broadly similar; the only real difference is that you're guaranteed outside space in the latter but not always in the former. We stayed in a Superior, with a comfy queensize bed and French doors opening onto a wonderful private patio shaded by orange trees. Our sleek marble bathroom had a small tub - not long enough to lounge in, but fine for a quick dip - with cascade taps and a monsoon shower. One Superior Room also has a Jacuzzi tub - worth nabbing if it’s available.

If you really want to splash out, choose one of the 9 suites, which all have their own USP. The Suite del Pittore, for instance, is split over 2 levels with a glass-screened mezzanine, and the Hellier Suite has 2 bathrooms and a large terrace. The Montgomery Suite has bay windows with sweeping views, and the Spa Suite has a stone fireplace, a Jacuzzi tub and a steam bath. There’s also a Family Suite, set in a self-contained cottage in the grounds, which can accommodate up to 6 in 2 bedrooms (1 double and 1 double/twin) and a lounge with a sofabed. It too has a Jacuzzi tub, plus its own garden. Top of the pile is the vast Ashbee Suite, which has 2 bathrooms, a panelled salon and a terrace looking out over the pool to the sea.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast here is a real treat. You can eat in the striking Michelin-starred St George Restaurant by Heinz Beck with its striped wallpaper and red glass chandeliers, or on the terrace outside. The spread reflects the hotel’s British/Sicilian theme: a vast buffet of local fruit, delicious cakes, yoghurt, cereals, cheeses and cold cuts, plus à la carte cooked options such as eggs and crispy bacon or toast with little ramekins of baked beans. Hot drinks are served in silver pots at your table and - unusually for Sicily - you can order cafetières of filter coffee as well as the normal espressos and cappuccinos.

During the day, drinks and light lunches are available by the pool, from the lounge-bar or via room service (note there’s a tray charge for the latter). We loved the cocktails (peach and strawberry Bellinis, mojitos with mint from the garden), the juicy Caprese salad, and the baskets of rosemary focaccia. And come evening, the terrace provides an idyllic spot for a sunset glass of Prosecco, served with delicious canapés and paprika-dusted almonds.

The hotel has begun offering dinner since our visit. If the other meals are anything to go by then the food is sure to impress. The menu again mixes local and British influences: starters might include braised octopus with wild rocket pesto or leek cannelloni with a Nero d’Avola wine reduction, while mains could be seared steak tartare or vegetable terrine with pecorino fondue. We particularly like the sound of the dark chocolate soufflé with orange-scented cream for dessert.

There’s no shortage of eateries nearby, either. Just across the road from the hotel is Al Melograno, where we feasted on delicate courgette flowers stuffed with ricotta and pasta with fresh sardines (a Sicilian speciality) in a candlelit garden. And strung out along the pedestrianised lanes in the town centre are a multitude of pizzerias, trattorias and bars, many with terraces overlooking the bay.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Enjoy doing very little. Snooze in the sun by the infinity pool, read a book, and sample a few cocktails while gazing out over the sea to the Italian mainland. Waiters serve drinks at your lounger, and little pots of refreshing granita or other Sicilian specialities appear as if by magic at your side
  
  
• Stroll up to the Greek amphitheatre, only 100m or so from the hotel. It’s stunningly sited above the bay, with awesome, fearsome Mt Etna - emitting plumes of smoke during our visit - looming in the distance. During summer the amphitheatre hosts regular live performances (past acts include Sting and the Bolshoi Ballet)
  
  
• Browse Taormina’s many boutiques and galleries (plus tacky but fun tourist stalls selling all manner of lava sculptures), stopping for iced coffees along the way
  
  
• Take the cable car down to the beach at Mazzarò and snorkel in the translucent water, or wander across to the pretty islet of Isola Bella
  
  
• Walk or take a taxi up to the crow’s nest village of Castelmola, perched on a cliff overlooking Taormina, and sip almond wine as the sun sets over Mt Etna
  
  
• Or take a day trip to the volcanic monster itself. A scenic train runs around its base, and roads wind up its slopes past fields of solidified lava and singed trees. There’s also a cable car up the southern flank to Refugio Sapienza, from where guided tours take visitors as close to the craters as it’s safe to go
  
  
• Head west to the Alcantara Gorge, where a turquoise river cuts through jagged ravines. You can paddle in the water (icy in winter, refreshingly cool in summer), or try canyoning or rafting

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Canyoning
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Private guided tours
• Rafting
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Wine tasting

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome at The Ashbee, though the refined, romantic ambiance means you might feel self-conscious with noisy tots in tow. Baby cots (free) and extra beds (charged for) are available, and babysitting can be arranged on request.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Superior and Deluxe Rooms have space for a baby cot, and the suites have a single sofabed. The Family Suite can sleep up to 6 in 2 bedrooms (1 double and 1 double or twin) and a lounge with a sofabed.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Ashbee Hotel is in the centre of the pretty resort town of Taormina, in northeast Sicily. It's set on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea.

By Air:
Catania (60km away) is the nearest airport; if you're touring the whole of Sicily you might fly into Palermo (200km away) or Comiso (145km away). All are served by budget, scheduled and charter flights from around Europe - click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
It's 45 minutes by road (mostly along the A18 motorway) from Catania airport to the hotel. The hotel can arrange transfers (see Rates) and you won't need your own vehicle if you're planning to spend most of your time in Taormina, but hiring a car is useful if you plan to explore the wider area (see below). There's also an airport bus, and a train to Taormina-Giardini Naxos.

By Car:
It makes sense to have a car if you're touring, though you won't use it much in Taormina itself (the centre is pedestrianised). See our car rental recommendations. Off-street parking is available at the hotel for a daily charge - you'll need to book a space in advance.

If you're driving from southern mainland Italy, take the regular ferry from Villa San Giovanni to Messina (every 20 minutes, with a 20-minute sailing time) and then follow the A18 motorway south to Taormina.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to Sicily and getting around