As per the previous writer we had completed a tour of Sicily the week before. Unfortunately our experience was the opposite.Our tour also ending at Taormina and we stayed 2 nights at Hotel Villa Diodore, as part of the tour. I believe it is the luck of the draw with the success of a room with view being offered to guests as part of a package tour.Our bedroom was in a dark corner of the building with no outlook. From our bedroom balcony, we looked right into the bedroom of the unit next door of Villa Diodore

The room also had a bathroom whereby the shower leaked water throughout the bathroom.Reported to reception and we we provided additional towels for the floor, but no repair occurred during our stay.

In the restaurant both ourselves and the other tour guests at our table, found the service (both nights) at a low standard. The waiters showed a lack of interest in particular to various guests needs. One elderly gentleman requested a soya coffee and was brought boiling hot milk instead. My wife was brought the wrong meal and the waiter showed a lack of interest in his mistake.Another guest was not provided a entree.The focus appeared both nights only on the tour guide table. As one our our American travelers advised and we agree with her comment " The focus is to ensure that the tour Guide is looked after at all costs."

Buffet breakfast was average at best - compared to other hotels we have stayed at over the past 30 years.

With respect to the property overall cleanness, they where excellent.

I personally from my experience can not support a high rating on this hotel based on the poor bedroom provided to us and the standard of restaurant service.

Suggestion to other future traveler's obtain clear understanding of the bedroom being provided for the price being charged.

After staying a further week at another hotel at Taormina after this tour, the deficiencies of Hotel Villa Diodore where highlighted further to us.

What a beautiful hotel! The view was unbelievable of Mt Etna right from our room! We loved Taormina and this hotel was fantastic. Thie hotel has a 25 meter pool as well for those that want to swim laps. We were on a tour of Sicily and this was the last (of 3) that we stayed at. This made our trip to Sicily memorable.

The Diodoro is in a great location, fabulous views from our balcony to the north, the view from the dining room across the bay is wonderful, day or night. A ten minute walk up the road puts your right in the pedestrian centre of Taormina, a lovely old town with many bars restaurants designer shops and the inevitable souvenir shops. Make sure you visit the Greek/Roman amphitheatre, again just a ten minure walk away. Breakfasts were very good, lots of options, dinner was good, if a little unadventurous. Live music every evening in the main bar. Bar prices not cheap but on a par with the smarter bars in Taormina, which is, by Sicilian standards, very up-market. The staff were brilliant, old school values and lots of knowledge. I would echo the praise for Angela in the dining room, what a lovel person. Air con was a bit primitive, just adequate. Driving to the hotel is a challenge, very narrow one way streets and our satnav wasn't aware of either the pedestrian areas or the fact that the Diodoro is on a one way street. The hotel has parking, some of which is down the road but there was always somewhere to park. The hotel is not on the beach but 10 minutes drive (or on their own shuttle minibus, small charge) is a pleasant beach with bar, restaurant, sun loungers and towels provided foc, you get a voucher from reception. Lots to see and do and pretty much guaranteed warm sunshine! Great!

Easy walk into Taormina and to the Greco-Roman Amphitheatre, which is well worth a visit on its own. Plenty of shopping, restaurants, cafes and bars and all sorts of alleyways to explore. All built up the sides of the steep hills with tiny roads and a one way system that is challenging, making the finding of the Hotel a bit difficult initially. it seems that signs in Sicily start out fine but then vanish, never to be seen again! Take the Hop-on,hop-off bus initially to orient yourselves as the start point is less than 200 metres from the Hotel plus it is a spectacular trip.
Staying in Taormina is to be recommended as the large number of cruise passengers and bus trippers mean that mid-day the place is heaving and parking non-existent. Morning is the best time to see the Amphitheatre too, without huge crowds. Time then to return to the Hotel pool which is on the edge of a cliff affording terrific views of the coastline - had good snacks and drinks too.
Diadoro is an older hotel but has fantastic views of both Mt Etna and also the coastline .It serves excellent breakfasts. Dinners are not cheap but there are many restaurants of every type within a short walk. The rooms are large and well equipped - all are clean of course.
Wi-Fi is charged for here, which I find incredible in this day and age especially with many free internet cafes around. In future, one of our criteria will be whether the property has free internet access or not.