About this hotel
General information
San Domenico Palace occupies a 14th-century Dominican convent founded by a nobleman from a princely family. In 1896 his descendants added an elegant neoclassical Grand Hotel wing. Both stand on a clifftop amid an Italian garden of citrus trees, jasmine and hibiscus, looking out to the Ionian Sea, Etna, the ancient theatre and the hills of Taormina.
The hotel carefully preserves the convent’s heritage — the cloister colonnade, the old refectory, the character of its historic walls — and pairs it with Four Seasons service. There are restaurants, a spa offering treatments based on old monastic recipes, a large panoramic pool, rooms and outdoor spaces for meetings and events, a banquet hall and business services. Weddings and honeymoon programmes are arranged, and the building itself remains one of Taormina’s historic landmarks.
Location
The hotel stands on a cliff in the historic centre of Taormina, on Sicily’s east coast. Catania international airport is 68 km away, about an hour by car; Palermo airport is 292 km, roughly 3 hours 15 minutes’ drive.
Spa
The spa has several treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, a pool and a whirlpool. Alongside massages and face and body care, it offers signature treatments based on ancient monastic recipes that use local healing plants.
Sports & leisure
The outdoor pool has panoramic sea views, and a second, indoor pool is in the spa. There is a modern fitness centre, and boat trips and excursions can be arranged.
For children
Babysitting is available on request.
Restaurants & bars
Restaurants and bars fill the convent’s historic rooms and the terraces above the bay.
- Principe Cerami — Sicilian fine dining with panoramic views of the Bay of Taormina
- Anciovi — a poolside terrace restaurant and bar for fresh seafood and classic and signature cocktails
- Chiostro — a bar in the shade of the old cloister colonnade for light bites, cocktails, wine and coffee
- Rosso — international and local dishes in the former monastic refectory
In-room dining is available.
Swimming
A shuttle takes guests to a beach a few minutes’ drive away.
Rooms
Rooms are divided between the 14th-century abbey and the late 19th-century Grand Hotel, decorated in Art Nouveau style. Windows and balconies look over the Bay of Taormina, Etna, the old town and the abbey gardens.
Rooms have air conditioning, a TV, a telephone, Wi-Fi, a safe, a minibar, a hairdryer, toiletries and bathrobes.
Sea View Deluxe Room
A king-size bedroom with sitting area and views of the Bay of Taormina, on the ground or first floor of the abbey or Grand Hotel. Sleeps up to 2.
Superior Room
A king-size bedroom with sitting area, overlooking the town or the convent. Sleeps up to 2.
Deluxe Room
A bedroom with a king-size or twin beds and a sitting area, overlooking the town or the abbey gardens. Sleeps up to 2.
Sea View Premium Room
A bedroom with a king-size or twin beds and panoramic views of the Bay of Taormina. Sleeps up to 2.
Sea View Premium Room with Terrace
A Grand Hotel room with a king-size or twin beds and a furnished terrace over the bay. Sleeps up to 2.
Convento Studio Suite with Terrace
A king-size bedroom, a living room and a furnished terrace overlooking the convent. Sleeps up to 2.
Sea View Studio Suite
A king-size bedroom and living room with sea views. Sleeps up to 3.
Sea View Studio Suite with Plunge Pool
A ground-floor suite in the Grand Hotel wing with a king-size or twin beds, a sitting area and a terrace with a plunge pool and sea views. Sleeps up to 3.
Sea View Executive Suite
A king-size bedroom and living room facing the Bay of Taormina; some have a terrace. Sleeps up to 3.
Sea View Executive Suite with Plunge Pool
A king-size bedroom, a living room and a furnished terrace with a plunge pool and panoramic bay views. Sleeps up to 3.
Teatro Suite
A king-size bedroom, a living room and a furnished terrace looking to the sea and the ancient theatre. Sleeps up to 3.
Etna Suite
An abbey suite with a king-size bedroom and a living room with dining area, facing Etna. Sleeps up to 3.
Princess Cecile Suite
A ground-floor corner suite in the abbey with a foyer, king-size bedroom and living room with dining area, overlooking the bay, town and gardens. Sleeps up to 4.
San Domenico Suite
A Grand Hotel suite with a king-size bedroom, living room, dining room and furnished terrace with a pool and sea views. Sleeps up to 4.
Royal Suite
A first-floor Grand Hotel suite with a king-size bedroom, living room, kitchen with dining area, guest cloakroom, whirlpool bath and a terrace with a pool and panoramic views of the sea and theatre. Sleeps up to 3.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.