My husband and I stayed at Villa Ducale for four nights on our honeymoon in November. We had read the numerous amazing comments on here before booking but were still absolutely blown away when we arrived. We were in the rooftop suite, which overlooks Mount Etna, and were completely charmed by our room and the hotel itself. The staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome, provide advice on travelling and excursions, park and unload your car, and one of them gave us a lift back to the hotel when he saw us in Taormina on his day off!

We didn't find the steps into town too difficult, but I would say avoid heading back up in the hottest midday hours. We ate in several of the restaurants in the town, but the food at the hotel itself was fantastic and we'd have happily eaten here every night.

I know we were there for a special occasion, but Villa Ducale will alwys be special, and I very much hope we get to return there again at some point in the future.

We spent 3 nights, the last 3 nights Hotel Villa Ducale was open for the season. The off season special rate made this long weekend the value of the decade! I can second all of the glowing reviews about the service, views, personal attention, friendliness yet complete professionalism. We had a suite (#4) across the street from the main lobby/dining that was large, luxurious with beautiful view of the Straits of Messina and a balcony with table and 2 chairs. The furniture and accessories were lovely. The bathroom had a double vanity and great rain shower. The king bed was very comfortable with great linens.

I never pulled out my credit card until I checked out. You never sign a bill, have to tip (though we did tip the shuttle drivers) and when you check out and pay, you put cash into a box where they collect gratuities and share with staff on a monthly basis. The complimentary breakfast was excellent with many fresh food choices. We had 1 dinner there which was exceptional, and the Sicilian wines are now on my must have list.

The owner and his wife truly make you feel like family guests...and we had the pleasure of riding down to the town with the owner's parents who used to live in the villa which was converted to the hotel.

The 5 stars are well deserved and this is definitely added to our "we must go back" list - hopefully in June when there is a great film festival in Taormina at Teatro Antico. We salute the proprietors for their exceptional hospitality, their well-trained staff, and their first class property.

This is a truly charming hotel, and it deserves all the fuss people make on TripAdvisor. The breakfast was one of the best we've had at any hotel throughout the world, and the service was exceptional. We stayed in a suite and it was charming and spacious, and we loved the gorgeous view from the common room of the hotel.

If I had to name a fault, it would be that while the decor was charming and luxurious, it wasn't stylish enough to qualify Villa Ducale as a design hotel. Monaci delle Terre Nerre (on Mt Etna) is a new and nearby option that retains the same personalized service, but also has phenomenal style. I recommend staying at both hotels when you go to Sicily.

Stayed two nights should have stayed a week! A stunningly positive hotel experience taking accomodation to a new level. Superb staff treat us like family, welcome drink on the terrace and detailed professional information given on the hotel, area and Sicily in general. Traveled Italy for a month by car and the Hotel Villa Ducale tied for first place with the Excelsior in Florence! Exquisitly decorated, excellent breakfast and dinner, amazing rooms with views to die for!