Stayed here for 4 nights as the second part of a week on a Riviera package (see review of Hotel Kaos for first part). Both this hotel and the Hotel Kaos are described by Riveria as 4star.

As observed by previous reviewers, if the Hotel Kaos is described as 4 star then it is wrong to also classify this as 4star as it is so superior in all respects. Probably says that you can`t set any real store by the Italian (or perhaps the Riviera) star rating system.

The location of this hotel is on the slope of a hill and it`s designed such that virtually every room has a sea view. The higher the floor, the more spectacular the view. We were on the 5th floor and had a great room with a large balcony/terrace area. Rooms were clean, well appointed and well-serviced. However our bed was extremely hard which seemed to be the case for other rooms as well from what we heard from other members of our tour group.

Dinner is taken either inside or out on a terrace restaurant if the weather is fine. Fortunately it was while we were there and so dinner was taken outside each evening which made it an even more pleasant experience. Dinner was always buffet style with a wide range of dishes to chose from (or try them all !). Quality of food and presentation was good. Wine was expensive relative to its quality and drinks generally were high priced even by hotel standards.

There are 2 outside swimming pools on different levels of the hillside with access provided either by steps or a fascinating lift. There is a poolside bar and restaurant which is manned all through the day.

Access to local beaches is possible on foot although it is quite a trek - but something that is not unpleasant to do when you are on holiday and have plenty of time.

The hotel provides free shuttle buses to a local beach and also into the town of Taormina (it`s too far and too dangerous (traffic-wise) to walk). Taormina town is definitley worth a visit as is Mount Etna which is not too far away.

Pretty nice hotel. Beautiful place, decorating, perfect view from each every room, no extra payment for the see view. We lived in Grand palace section, and our room was just perfect. Air conditioning, very clean bathroom, lots of space, dvd-player (there’s a possibility to take a film at the reception for free, we’ve enjoyed Godfather, which was just right for the moment!), huge terrace instead of balcony. We’ve heard that usual rooms (in basic section) were a bit worth, but had no chance to check. We were just fine with our accommodation. Breakfast was usual, dinner quite tasty – loads of vegetables Sicilian style – perfect! We stayed there during the week, so we didn’t get tired of dinners (plus we usually went to Taormina to have launch).
The hotel is pretty far from town, although there’s a hotel shuttle bus no charge almost every hour. Same stuff for the beach. It will take you about 3 minutes to get to the beach and about 10 – 15 minutes to Taormina centre. That’s the payment for the beautiful location and view.

Pluses: nice rooms, no extras for the see view, good cuisine, nice decorations Sicilian style
Minuses: the necessity to go to the beach and town by bus, no animation during the evenings

If you rent a car (that’s what we did), you’ll forget about everything and have a perfect time in Baia Taormina hotel

Riviera really ought to consider changing from this hotel which is isolated , well outside the town, making evening trips difficult. The obligatory buffet dinner for package guests, changes very little each night. It is adequate, but not special and certainly not a taste of Sicily. Little fresh fruit, appalling orange juice. How do they manage that in Sicily. Bar prices extortionate.
Above all. Do not accept rooms 101 to 106 which are on the first floor immediately above the piano bar , where there are dirge-like renditions of a repertoire of about six songs to a piano and karaoke-type machine until midnight. Many frustrating hours will be spent each night trying to persuade the staff to reduce the volume or cut short the programme.

After a lot of research and reading reviews we decided on this hotel and got exactly what we expected. Very modern and clean and much nicer looking than most of the hotels on the way from Taormina. Out of town but quite luxurious and well presented. Not a bad drive in to Taormina (about 10 mins) but be sure to stop when you get to the big 'park and ride' carpark as there are no further parking areas in the town. Don't wait for the shuttle bus in to town from there (unless necessary). It's a 5 minute walk up a couple of flights of stairs and will help work up an appettite for all the tasty food you'll want to eat when you get there.
The hotel does run shuttle buses to and from Taormina for about 7 euro when we were there (much cheaper than a taxi) with the last one coming back around 10:30pm at night. Be sure to book these in advance at reception.

The view from our hotel room was lovely - straight out over a grassy hill and the ocean and also over to the right were the hills (we had a room on the far end in the "Grand Palace"). Nice breakfast (all the usual stuff including some hot items) though we didn't try the dinner as we weren't tempted by the idea of stuffing ourselves at the buffet which seemed a little pricey but had a good range of food on offer.

The hotel is quite isolated so is a truly relaxing break away from the crowded town centres. The swimming pools were well maintained and supervised by a lifeguard during opening hours. One is very deep and the other about waist deep. There is also a bar and restaurant just above the pools which serves food and drink during the day at only slightly inflated prices. Would have liked to have spent more time in the piano bar where live piano was played (funnily enough) every night.

There is a little path down to the beach (a couple of mins walk) but not particularly easy to get to the sandy swimming area at high tide. We managed to walk along the beach to a restaurant called Moby Dicks (maybe 45mins leisurely walk) which served delicious seafood and pizza. Getting back at night could be a problem but we were lucky enough to get a ride from one of the locals.


I wouldn't say the staff at the hotel were hugely helpful but then we never really needed their assistance and pretty much just kept to ourselves. Stay here if you want to relax by the pool or on your balcony or maybe stroll along an uncrowded beach (in May anyway) Best to have a car (parking is fairly limited) but transport can be arranged with the hotel. Taormina is not far away for those who want to experience a bit of the town life. Only stayed for 3 nights but could have definitely stayed at least a week!