A beautiful hotel with a beach front and the flexibility of the use of the sister hotel in the town, accessed by a complimentary shuttle bus.
When we arrived the room we had booked was not available and we were offered an upgrade to a suite until it was free 3 days later. We were uncomfortable about moving as we wanted to unpack and settle and they simply offered us the suite for the entire 9 nights. It lacked the panorama of the sea that we had originally wanted but the view was nonetheless great and we soon learnt that you had a view of the beautiful bay pretty much everywhere you went so this was no loss.
The staff here work incredibly hard and make the effort to remember your name. Even the pianist in the evenings takes the time to chat to you and taught us a little Italian. Everyone goes the extra mile.
Be careful not to criticise the little things that look like an issue on arrival. Like the lack of tea and coffee making facilities. We like a certain herbal tea we struggle to get away from home and had brought some with us on this occasion (we're not 'Brits abroad' honestly!) The staff simply sent us hot water on request without the bat of an eyelid. The minibar is not some dreadful spring loaded affair but a fridge. So you can chill your own booze and water if you wish. You're a grown up and they're not looking to catch you out and charge you a few extra Euros. If you want something you can't see. Ask.
This place isn't cheap but that shouldn't be a surprise. However do get value. The senior staff here are present, everyone makes you feel like you count, the views are stunning and the facilities are good. We ate and drank well and had a wonderful memorable break.

My wife & I just left this morning from a 5 night stay at this lovely hotel. Our large, marble clad, junior executive suite with excellent bathroom fixtures, and large closet, over looked the beautiful bay. Breakfast served on the our terrace, cocktails in the evening on the main beach terrace with Carmello playing piano in the background, gorgeous landscaping and grounds, absolutely excellent staff, good food/vino; all were terrific. When we checked in, the GM, Giovanni Nastasi happened to be in the lobby, yet he made a special point of introducing himself and welcoming us as new arrivals. And Antonio, the concierge, was perfect-helpful, courteous, knowledgeable, articulate-the best. If it needed to happen, he made it happen. We have stayed at several OE resorts and this entire staff is just as good as it gets. The beach is right out your door step. The boys will set up your lounges, provide water, food-whatever you want and always with a smile. I give it a straight "A" and would gladly return. Taormina is a short car ride away or you can take the tram, which is about 100 yds. outside the hotel's gate. It's a fun town to walk around in with lots of good restaurants and shops. Villa Sant'Andrea is a perfect spot to live it up on a beach vacation. Mr. Nastasi runs an excellent operation!

We had a truly excellent stay at the Villa Sant'Andrea. We had already spent 5 days in Eastern Sicily seeing some sights, and were looking to relax with our family on the beach. This is the perfect location to do so. The service is amazing - every staff member is constantly trying to assist your every need -- and the hotel is set up for lounging. We had a deluxe suite, and the kids' beds were in a separate room from ours, which was nice. There was still room to walk around even with the beds there, and there was a lot of closet space. The beach and pool are beautiful and we never had trouble getting a nice place, even in high season. The shuttle into town every 15 minutes is extremely convenient, and those drivers especially helpful. It was also very easy to take the funicular from the hotel up to town, which we did occasionally because the kids enjoyed it. Breakfast on the beach terrace was beautiful, and the hotel had a candlelight dinner on the beach one night, which was very fun. One thing to consider when picking is that the hotel service is so good- speaking multiple languages and offering everything that anyone of any nationality might one (eg, my kids had pancakes every morning), that you sometimes lose the sense of being in Italy. It is more like being at a luxury resort anywhere.

My only minor nits would be (1) the lack of food options -- we often really didn't want to leave the hotel for lunch, but the kids did not like the "fancy" lunch menu at the hotel restaurant and the options at the more casual beach restaurant were enjoyable but limited. As a result, we went into town a few times when we would have preferred to stay by the beach. (2) we did have some trouble with the wifi in our room, and so had to use the public areas, which was a bit difficult at times given the time difference from the US (I was unfortunately trying to do a bit of work). But these were minor issues, and would no way affect our decision to stay there again. We recommend it to others without hesitation.

For as long as I can remember there have been two milestones in our year; August at the Sant’Andrea in Taormina and New Years Eve at Harry’s Bar in Venice. Each year our arrival at this hotel is a homecoming and each year the effort to improve and please the guests can be clearly felt.

From breakfast overlooking the sea (everything overlooks the sea) and Marcella’s cappuccino to the impeccably prepared beach and the service at the bars this place is a joy. Even housekeeping is extraordinary. Fresh flowers in the room every day, our untidy belongings neatly folded and put away and the power cord of the hair dryer so tightly wound around the handle that we were tempted to hide it in the room safe so that we wouldn’t have to unwind each evening.

The staff are young, full of energy and filled with an overwhelming desire to please. Not just the mechanical sort which comes from training only but a genuine hospitality which is part of the Sicilian character and the talent of the local management who understand the island’s qualities. This year they even managed to eliminate the jelly fish from the sea!

Since we know so many people in town we mostly eat at the local establishments but both the restaurant at the Sant’Andrea at the beach as well as the one at the sister hotel Timeo on a magnificent terrace overlooking Etna and miles of coastline are wonderful. If you do decide to eat outside of the hotel make sure to ask the concierge for advice and bookings since there are only 3 or 4 worthy establishments.

We have already booked 2013 and are eagerly looking forward to our party at Harry’s Bar which will bring us that much closer to our return to Taormina.