Sicily Hotels
Oct 22, 2013, 3:27 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Plt 3MM; UA 1K 2 MM; MR Lifetime Plat; HH Lifetime Diamond; HH Diamond; IGH Spire Ambas; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,149
So Sicily is clearly a destination that cannot be done using hotel points--at least if higher quality accommodations is important to you. 
Oct 24, 2013, 9:40 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,737
Jun 11, 2014, 11:07 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Belfast , UK
Programs: AMEX PLAT , HILTON GOLD, STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST GOLD, IHG PLAT AMBASSADOR, DAVID O FAN CLUB
Posts: 383
Hi
I have exhausted all my points for IHG , SPG etc over my last few trips ( W Barcelona, W London, intercontinental Bora Bora , W Indonesia , various SPG in Australia , Westin Malaysia , Z Suites Hotel Miami ) so points were not on my radar with my next holiday. Was looking for somewhere closer to home (Ireland) for a change but that interested me for late August.
Ryanair have started flying to the small airport of Comiso in the South of the island near Ragusa from London and Dublin so I got introductory fares of £25 each way!
Have booked 2 nights in Marina Di Ragusa
http://www.lamorescahotel.it/
3 nights in Syracuse
http://www.grandhotelminareto.it/
2 nights in Taormina
http://www.ehc.it/hotel-imperiale-ta...it/default.htm
Cheap car hire through Hertz @ Comiso
Will let this thread know how i get on in early September
I have exhausted all my points for IHG , SPG etc over my last few trips ( W Barcelona, W London, intercontinental Bora Bora , W Indonesia , various SPG in Australia , Westin Malaysia , Z Suites Hotel Miami ) so points were not on my radar with my next holiday. Was looking for somewhere closer to home (Ireland) for a change but that interested me for late August.
Ryanair have started flying to the small airport of Comiso in the South of the island near Ragusa from London and Dublin so I got introductory fares of £25 each way!
Have booked 2 nights in Marina Di Ragusa
http://www.lamorescahotel.it/
3 nights in Syracuse
http://www.grandhotelminareto.it/
2 nights in Taormina
http://www.ehc.it/hotel-imperiale-ta...it/default.htm
Cheap car hire through Hertz @ Comiso
Will let this thread know how i get on in early September
Jun 13, 2014, 4:49 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,068
We are going to be in Syracuse at the end of August (yes I love heat and sun and never find the humidity a problem in Sicily). I couldn't get comfortable with any of the hotels, so we ended up hiring a house in Ortigia instead. The boutique-y Musciara Resort looked quite interesting, but some very poor reviews.
Jun 14, 2014, 12:24 pm
#36
Community Director Emerita
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,745
I think you made a very wise decision based on our experience.
Jun 19, 2014, 8:27 am
#37
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Belfast , UK
Programs: AMEX PLAT , HILTON GOLD, STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST GOLD, IHG PLAT AMBASSADOR, DAVID O FAN CLUB
Posts: 383
Would definitely agree this is one of the first holidays in years where I am really not excited by any of the hotel choices , but looking forward to some sun and to some good food.
SanDiego1k would you have any food recommendations (or even anything else which you highly recommend) for Marina Di Ragusa , Syracuse or Taormina ?
Especially for Sept 2nd in Syracuse as this will be our wedding anniversary.
Londonjetsetter I will be there from the last day in August for a week so I think I might be following on just after you. Likewise is you have any really good experiences/activities/beaches/food recommendations etc in late August it would be great to hear from you.
Thanks!
SanDiego1k would you have any food recommendations (or even anything else which you highly recommend) for Marina Di Ragusa , Syracuse or Taormina ?
Especially for Sept 2nd in Syracuse as this will be our wedding anniversary.
Londonjetsetter I will be there from the last day in August for a week so I think I might be following on just after you. Likewise is you have any really good experiences/activities/beaches/food recommendations etc in late August it would be great to hear from you.
Thanks!
Last edited by WEEBOBBY; Jun 19, 2014 at 8:33 am
Jun 19, 2014, 10:49 am
#38
Community Director Emerita
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,745
I wish I could be helpful, but we didn't have much luck finding outstanding restaurants. And I spent a lot of time trying to do so.
Jun 28, 2014, 6:48 am
#39
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Going to Sicily in a few weeks. As a Virtuoso agent, I'll be staying at all three properties. Just wanted to list the amenities, as I saw someone was going to earlier in the thread and forgot.
Rocco Forte Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily
Sciacca, Sicily
All Virtuoso Guests Receive:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
$85 EUR Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay
Early check-in/late check-out
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo
Taormina, Sicily
All Virtuoso Guests Receive:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full American breakfast
$100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
Early check-in/late check-out
Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea
Taormina Mare, Italy
All Virtuoso Guests Receive:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
American Breakfast for up to two in-room guests daily
$100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
Early check-in/late check-out
Rocco Forte Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily
Sciacca, Sicily
All Virtuoso Guests Receive:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
$85 EUR Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay
Early check-in/late check-out
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo
Taormina, Sicily
All Virtuoso Guests Receive:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full American breakfast
$100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
Early check-in/late check-out
Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea
Taormina Mare, Italy
All Virtuoso Guests Receive:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
American Breakfast for up to two in-room guests daily
$100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
Early check-in/late check-out
Jun 28, 2014, 12:10 pm
#40
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
Sicily Hotels
We stayed at villa st. Andrea right after it became on orient express property. It was quite a nice stay. Make sure you take a boat out. It's far cheaper to go down the beach and hire one than going through the hotel. M
FDW
FDW
Jun 28, 2014, 2:40 pm
#41
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Jul 15, 2014, 6:49 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Belfast , UK
Programs: AMEX PLAT , HILTON GOLD, STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST GOLD, IHG PLAT AMBASSADOR, DAVID O FAN CLUB
Posts: 383
PriceSquire let me know if you find any restaurants or experiences that you recommend from your trip ! I will be out in late August
Jul 25, 2014, 10:41 am
#43
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
Belmond options in Taormina, Sicily, Italy
Seems to be two options in Taormina, Sicily...
Grand Hotel Timeo: http://www.belmond.com/grand-hotel-timeo-taormina/
&
Villa Sant'Andrea: http://www.belmond.com/villa-sant-andrea-taormina-mare/
Considering checking out both...I know they have a free shuttle in between, too.
Any recent reviews? Thoughts?
Grand Hotel Timeo: http://www.belmond.com/grand-hotel-timeo-taormina/
&
Villa Sant'Andrea: http://www.belmond.com/villa-sant-andrea-taormina-mare/
Considering checking out both...I know they have a free shuttle in between, too.
Any recent reviews? Thoughts?
Jul 25, 2014, 11:47 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Food not as good as Verdura - https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hot...nd-spa-resort/ - which has the best of all worlds. Most people stay at both Belmonds - a bit of sea view and a bit of inland. It depends upon where on the island you want to be and whether you are majoring on sightseeing.