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Taormina: Villa Carlotta or Villa Angela?

We are a family of 4 - 2 adults and 2 teenage daughters. I have researched and contacted both hotels, and both are able to accommodate us. The Carlotta is almost $800 more, and I am wondering if it is worth it for any reasons I may have overlooked.

The pool and pool area is very important to us. This time in Taormina is meant to be "the relaxing part" of our European vacation. We are looking forward to lounge chairs, drinks at the pool and outstanding views.

Location is not as important as the resort itself. Pretty grounds, open areas and cleanliness are tops.

Restaurant is fairly important, at least for breakfast, and we like a nice bar or lounge area to have a nightcap.

Any thoughts?

Posted by
1501 posts

After looking at both locations (and I've spent weeks in Taormina) I'd prefer Villa Carlotta. It looks like you can still walk to town from there, and I'm not so sure you could walk to town from Villa Angela. Surely you'll wat to stroll Corso Umberto and go at least to the Main piazza and perhaps see the Magnificent Greek Theatre. If not, then I'd actually recommend staying in Cefalu.

Last year we took a 'vacation from our vacation' and luxuriated in the beautiful hotel/spa Hotel Le Callette in
Cefalu, and I will tell you that our jaws absolutely dropped when, after checking in, proceeded through the hotel lobby to
our sea-side rooms -- the Views were like none I'd ever seen, not even in Taormina. They even have massages available in
your room. We never felt the need to leave the grounds, did not check out the town, we just relaxed sea-side, pool-side,
and enjoyed the music every evening and the really good meals the hotel had to offer. They changed the locations of
the serving areas for Breakfast and Dinner every day. Sometimes poolside, sometimes seaside, and sometimes indoor.
But every night at dinner, there was a pianist playing a white Grand Piano, and the food was delicious.

I will tell you that I just checked their website again, and the photos do NOT do it justice. Sorry for throwing you this curve ball, but when I realized you only wanted a view, pool and relaxation, it got me thinking! July is very HOT in Sicily.

You can easily get to Cefalu via train from Palermo or Taormina. The taxis at the train station will take you there. It is by far the best place in Cefalu. We'd seen enough of churches and museums by then!

Posted by
11613 posts

Donna, you should have gone to the cathedral in Cefalu! One of the most beautiful pieces of art in the world is the apse mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. Next time! ;-)

Posted by
1501 posts

Zoe, I DID go to the Cathedral, but not that trip. I don't think I remember seeing that piece of art. There was a lot of scaffolding, etc., and repairs being done. Next time........If I can tear myself away from that hotel! LOLOL. The time I went to the Hotel le Callette, I was absolutely exhausted, having started with a whirlwind trip through Rome with two friends (I was tour-guiding) then Taormina with many, many day trips.......and Cefalu..... Completely vegged! Like I said, a vacation from the vacation. Had my runningshoes from dawn till dusk every day for 13 days by that point! After Cefalu, we went to Palermo, and again, hustle hustle hustle!

Just talked to the husband, and he confirmed, that there was a lot of construction when we visited the Cathedral and neither of us were all impressed. Hopefully next time maybe the scaffolding will be down and we'll be able to appreciate it more. Sometimes, though, one can get 'art overload' especially in Italy! I'm wondering if the lovely Art Work was under cover and being restored. I can't believe we would have missed it -- just googled it, and it IS magnificent!