Hotel Isabella

The room was just okay and dated. There was no smart TV, the bathroom was small, and the shower was ridiculously tiny. We were there in mid October, and they’d turned off the hotel AC for the season. Staff said there was nothing they could do. The balcony was shared, so I couldn’t leave the door open. Breakfast was terrible, and the coffee was bad, in Italy!? We paid for breakfast at a restaurant down the street. The rooftop bar is only some chairs and a canopy. The location is excellent and convenient, but taxis can’t pick you up or drop you off because it’s a pedestrian-only street. If it’s raining, you have to roll your luggage through the street.

The location was great, and we only had to walk a short distance with our bags from the gate, though first timers should know about that. The hotel arranged a booking for us, which was helpful, and the woman who cleaned our room was wonderful. Our room was large and clean enough, but the bed was rock hard. It was two single beds pushed together, and they kept moving apart. The linen and pillows were poor. There was no tea, coffee, or water in the room, and the water in the fridge was charged without warning.

It’s right in the middle of Corso Umberto, Taormina’s main street, with all the fancy shops and restaurants. But don’t trust the booking site photos showing breakfast on a terrace with a view. Breakfast is actually served in the basement and is as basic as it gets. I thought it was a bit overpriced.

The location is great and the rooms are nice, but the free breakfast is missing basics like eggs. There was only shampoo in the room, no soap. We asked for soap and they gave us more shampoo, and there still wasn’t any soap during our three-night stay. At checkout we were charged for a bottle of water, although there was no sign saying it wasn’t complimentary. I’d have been happy to pay if they’d told us.