Hotel Sole Castello

We spent four nights here in June with my girlfriend. The panoramic views over Taormina and Mt Etna were amazing, the reception staff were really friendly, and the pool and terrace were nice. The room problems made it a rough stay, though. The air conditioning didn’t cool anything, and because of “technical issues” staff couldn’t even switch it on the first night. It was so hot we could barely sleep. The rooms badly need updating, the shower only trickled and kept going from hot to cold, and the ice machine didn’t work. Breakfast and kitchen staff came across as grumpy and unfriendly. We also found a huge cockroach in the pool.

We were four people and all of us would recommend Hotel Sole-Castello. The staff were personable, engaging, and professional, and helped us sort through the many things to do in the area. Although it’s up the mountain with lovely views across the coastline and Mt Etna, the hotel is served by two main bus routes, one community and one commercial. They connect with the train station, so you can travel regionally to Messina in the north or Catania in the south.

Stopped in for cocktails in the evening and ended up wanting to stay longer. The view is amazing, and the drinks were tasty, fairly strong, and generous for €5-6. It was a welcome break from the busy, overpriced center of Taormina. I’d recommend the Sicilian mojito.

The pool was a lovely extra, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Great views too. The room was okay, though the bathroom and shower weren’t so good. If you’re walking into town and back, be ready for a workout. For the price, I’d definitely recommend it.