HOTEL SUMMARY
Where medieval spirituality meets contemporary luxury, San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel transforms a 14th-century Dominican convent into Sicily's most prestigious address, commanding breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea from its clifftop perch above Taormina's ancient streets.
This extraordinary Taormina luxury hotel traces its origins to 1374, when Dominican monks established their sacred sanctuary on this dramatic promontory. In 1896, Prince Cerami transformed the monastery into one of Europe's first grand hotels, adding elegant Liberty-style wings that created a stunning architectural dialogue between medieval stonework and Art Nouveau grandeur. Following meticulous restoration by architect Valentina Pisani and historian Rosaria Catania Cucchiara, the property reopened in 2021 under Four Seasons stewardship, preserving its spiritual heritage while establishing new standards for luxury hospitality in Sicily.
The hotel's 111 accommodations, ranging from 301 to 1,507 square feet, occupy former monks' quarters reimagined as sanctuaries of contemporary elegance. Pisani's interior design masterfully balances the property's monastic past with Four Seasons sophistication, incorporating smoked mirrors, bronze details, and Patagonian marble throughout. The Royal Suite crowns the collection at 1,507 square feet, featuring a private terrace with Jacuzzi and panoramic vistas encompassing the Greek theater and sea. Specialty suites include the Etna Suite, capturing Mount Etna's volcanic majesty, and the Princess Cecile Suite, overlooking the Ionian Sea and Taormina's winding medieval streets through lemon-scented gardens.
Culinary excellence defines the guest experience, led by Principe Cerami restaurant under Sicilian chef Massimo Mantarro, who crafts refined tasting menus celebrating Mediterranean bounty with dishes like marinated cuttlefish tagliatelle and braised ox cheek with Sicilian vermouth. Anciovi offers Mediterranean seafood beside the clifftop infinity pool, while Bar & Chiostro provides international cuisine within the historic cloister. The exclusive Sala Teatro accommodates private dining for 35 guests with sweeping Taormina Bay views.
Beyond exceptional dining, this 5-star hotel Taormina offers curated Sicilian experiences, from ricotta tastings at local farms to private Mount Etna dinners under starlit skies. The luxury spa provides wellness treatments inspired by Sicilian traditions, while the infinity pool seems to merge with the Mediterranean horizon.
For discerning travelers seeking Italy's most historically significant luxury accommodation, San Domenico Palace represents an unparalleled fusion of sacred heritage and contemporary refinement. Book the Royal Suite or Princess Cecile Suite for the ultimate Taormina experience, with spring through fall offering ideal weather for enjoying the clifftop infinity pool and outdoor terraces.