The best hotels in Sicily

The last time I visited Sicily, it was for a friend's wedding in Taormina. That trip sent me deep into research mode, hunting down the best hotels in Sicily across the whole island. From the best luxury hotels in Sicily to beach stays and boutique finds, I covered a lot of ground. Whether you are travelling as a couple or with the family, hopefully, this guide helps you find the perfect hotels in Sicily for your trip, just like I did.

How we select the best hotels in Sicily

First things first, my family is Italian, so they tend to have the inside scoop around Italy. I turned to them first and told them all the different towns I was visiting, like Taormina, Cefalù, and Trapani. Then I looked at locations. Some of the best hotels in Sicily are right in town, while others are set further away. It really depends on the kind of holiday you are after.

We also like hotels in small towns for a more relaxing stay, or in coastal and more popular towns. We looked at reviews around comfort, service, and cuisine. Some of the best hotels in Sicily have Michelin restaurants inside. We also favour hotels with a traditional Sicilian character, like former villas or palaces. And then some of the best hotels in Sicily have private beach clubs and panoramic terraces.

1. The San Domenico Palace - Taormina

So I will start with the San Domenico Palace. This is based in Taormina, which was one of my first stops and actually where the wedding was held. It is a Four Seasons hotel and was featured in the TV show The White Lotus.

The standout for me was the infinity pool. It has an amazing view of Mount Etna and the ocean. It is quite small inside, but absolutely amazing. It is one of the best luxury hotels in Sicily.

I loved the little courtyard, and the staff were really nice. They also have their own Fiat 500 experience, where the Four Seasons takes you on a tour around one of the nearby villages with your own driver. That was a pretty cool experience.

Other amenities include a wellness spa with a whole load of therapies and Sicilian rituals. They have a couple of restaurants, one being a Michelin restaurant called Principe Cerami, and then a traditional Sicilian restaurant with a really nice view. You must go for dinner at least once.

The rooms are very modern with really comfortable beds. I would advise at least getting a sea view room. If you are staying at the Four Seasons, you want that view overlooking the ocean. In terms of location, it is off the main strip of Taormina, so it sits in a quieter area.

Find out more information and check the prices for The San Domenico Palace.

2. Villa Sant'Andrea - Taormina

The next place is Villa Sant'Andrea, a five-star hotel that has been around since the 1950s. I picked it because of the location. It is further away from the town, in the Bay of Mazzarò. Do not let the location put you off, though, you can still get into town as it is near the cable car.

The beauty of this hotel is that it has its own private beach area on Mazzarò Beach. What I really like is the beachfront cinema experience. Apart from that, they also have a whole load of experiences such as sunrise yoga and massages. If you want to keep fit, they do have a gym.

Most of the rooms have ocean views, and I would recommend getting a room with one. The view of the coastline and rocks is really nice.

Find out more information and check the prices for Villa Sant'Andrea.

3. Ashbee Hotel - Taormina

Next up is the Ashbee Hotel, another one in Taormina. Taormina really does have some of the best hotels in Sicily. What is different about this one is that it is a boutique hotel, and it is really funky. I love the colours.

It is also listed in the Leading Hotels of the World and sits high up in Taormina, just past Porta Messina. Again, it is outside the strip, so it tends to be a little bit quieter, and it is very close to the cable car that gets down to Isola Bella.

The hotel has been around since 1908 but has been completely renovated. The amenities are awesome, including an infinity pool with ocean views. The gym is really cool as it is outside, again with more ocean views. They also have a really nice terrace where you can relax, read a book, and just chill out.

For dinner, they have St George restaurant, which is a two star Michelin restaurant, so you are going to get some of the best food. The rooms are all very modern but you still get that traditional feel. They also have a heap of rooms that are good for families.

Find out more information and check the prices for the Ashbee Hotel.

4. Le Calette n.5 - Cefalu

Another one of the best hotels in Sicily that is boutique is Le Calette, and it is actually in Cefalù, in the north of Sicily. I went here midway through my trip as it has one of the best beaches in Sicily. It was just outside of town on the right-hand side, and it is a really cool spot.

The pool has a whole view of the Cefalù ocean and they also have their own private beach. They have a couple of different areas including the Calette Reef Club, where they have king-sized beds for three people, and you can also order a massage. They also have their beach on Calette Beach with fine white sand and umbrellas. There is also a lovely wellness spa with a gazebo and ocean views where you can book a massage.

The rooms are very well thought out, very modern, very white and light. You still get that traditional feel and I would be happy with any of the rooms here.

Find out more information and check the prices for Le Calette n.5.

5. Ortea Palace Hotel - Syracuse

Next I am heading a bit south, to Syracuse, and the Ortea Palace Hotel. What is different about this one is that it was actually the old post office in Syracuse from the 1920s.

They have a pool, a spa, a hair salon, and a gym. There are also two on-site restaurants. What I really like is the bar because it has ocean views of the boats in the harbour. You can watch them going in and out, which is a pretty cool thing to be part of.

In terms of location, it is on the island of Ortigia, just on the left as you cross over. It is very Sicilian in terms of the style itself and one of the best hotels in Sicily for that authentic feel. The rooms are very modern inside, but you still get that Sicilian feel. Pick a room with a window or balcony, and you will get a view of the ocean or the island.

Find out more information and check the prices for the Ortea Palace Hotel.

6. Rocco Forte Villa Igiea - Palermo

Now heading over to the north, to Palermo, and the Rocco Forte Villa Igiea. This is a big contender when it comes to the best hotels in Sicily. It has become one of the Historic Hotels of the World and was actually a 19th-century palazzo, which is why I really liked it. Lots of space, and the rooms are just huge.

Something a little bit different is that they have their own private dock where you can take a boat trip that fits up to seven people. Great for a group of friends. Amenities include a spa, a pool, a tennis court, and a gym.

It is also very well known for its family services, such as the Rocco Forte kids programme, with activities like puppets, a picnic under a tree, and a safari in Palermo. They also have babysitting services. For those extra touches, the bathrooms have toys like rubber ducks and hooded towels. It is a very nice place for families. I personally liked the deluxe room with the terrace. I had a little balcony outside, and it was just perfect in summer.

Find out more information and check the prices for Rocco Forte Villa Igiea.

7. The Grand Hotel et Des Palmes - Palermo

Also in Palermo is the Grand Hotel et des Palmes. Absolutely amazing. You can see the Art Nouveau design, and it has been around since 1874. It is one of the best five-star hotels in Sicily, with chandeliers and big columns.

It has all the amenities you would expect, such as a gym, a library, and a spa. The rooms are all perfectly renovated, very light, with really comfortable beds and TVs. Some also have marble bathrooms and balconies with sunbeds. It is also very centrally located, so you can go and check out all the best things to do in Palermo.

Find out more information and check the prices for Grand Hotel et Des Palmes.

8. Villa Athena Resort - Agrigento

Now I am heading a bit south to the historical town of Agrigento. You can see the temples in the pictures, which is why a lot of people come to this area. The hotel here is the Villa Athena Resort.

What I liked about this is that Agrigento is a quieter town, and this was an awesome five star resort. It is actually just a one minute walk from the Valley of the Temples. They have a spa and two awesome restaurants with views of the temples, plus a really nice freshwater pool with umbrellas, although it is a bit small.

The rooms are all super luxury and I would personally pick one with a temple view, because that is why you are going to Agrigento. Villa Athena Resort is one of the best hotels in Sicily in the south.

Find out more information and check the prices for Villa Athena Resort.

9. The Romano Palace Luxury Hotel - Catania

Now I am heading to Catania, where I only stayed one night on my last trip. I was told about the Romano Palace Luxury Hotel, which is actually on the beachfront of Catania and has been around since about 2004.

Although it is on the beachfront, they also have their own pool with lots of shade and plenty of space to do laps in. The rooms are super modern but have traditional Sicilian furnishings, and they are really unique compared to some of the other hotels I have stayed at. The pricing is not too expensive either. You can get a suite room for around 270 euros per night, and that suite has a whirlpool bath.

Find out more information and check the prices for Romano Palace Luxury Hotel.

Here is a map of the best hotels in Sicily

I have also put together a map of the best hotels in Sicily to make it easier for you to plan. I would recommend going either clockwise or anti-clockwise around Sicily, and then having a look at the airports such as Trapani Airport in the west, Palermo Airport in the north, and Catania Airport in the east.

I hope you enjoyed my guide on the best hotels in Sicily. If you have been to Sicily before and want to recommend any other places to stay, please drop a comment in the box below so I can share them with my readers.

The best hotels in Sicily FAQ's

What are the best beach hotels in Sicily?

The best beach hotels in Sicily would be the Romano Palace Luxury Hotel in Catania, Le Calette in Cefalù, and then Villa Sant'Andrea in Taormina on Mazzarò Beach.

What are the best hotels in Sicily for couples?

For couples, it has got to be the San Domenico Palace. This is one of the best hotels in Sicily, probably the best, and it is perfect for couples. I would also recommend Villa Sant'Andrea. But if you are looking for awesome service, the Ashby Hotel in Taormina is a great pick.

What are the best hotels in Sicily for families?

The Rocco Forte Villa Igiea is one of my favourites for families because it has babysitting services and those lovely little touches like the rubber ducks and towels I talked about earlier. The San Domenico Palace is also great for families due to the level of service.