Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare

We spent six nights at Villa Sant'Andrea for our anniversary, during a two-week trip around Italy, and would come back in a heartbeat. The service stood out most: everyone was warm and attentive, and Francesca took especially good care of us. The property has plenty of amenities, and the food was fantastic, particularly the breakfast spread each morning.

The wedding day was spectacular. We had the time of our lives, and our guests are still talking about what a wonderful time they had. Some said it felt like being on a film set. We had the ceremony in the English gardens, drinks and canapés overlooking the sea, dinner on a wonderfully atmospheric terrace, then danced into the night. We’d do it all again if we could. We first came to Villa Sant Andrea 12 years ago, on our first holiday together as a couple, and loved it so much we never left the hotel. So when we started thinking about wedding venues, it was an obvious choice because of those memories. The hotel looked even more beautiful than we remembered, with elegant surroundings and a relaxed feel, plus breathtaking gardens and views. Breakfast on the balcony is a must. Marilisa and Marjose supported us through the whole wedding process and were wonderful, efficient, and meticulous. We felt in very safe hands from the start and couldn’t have managed without them. All the staff work hard to make a stay special. The hotel was everything we could have wished for. If you want a wedding that takes your breath away, this is the place. Thank you for the best time of our lives.

We stayed at Villa Sant Andrea for 21 nights, and the whole experience was outstanding. Everyone, from the beach staff and front desk to the restaurant, management, room service, and concierge, was consistently kind and smiling. It struck me on our last day that throughout such a long stay, nobody had ever shown us anything but warmth. Even though the season was ending and the hotel was due to close five days after we left, they treated us as if we were the first guests of the season and kept looking for ways to serve us better. The accommodations were next level in every way. The hotel itself is stunning and magical, and the view is incredible, but the staff are the real highlight. They were the kindest, most professional people you could hope to meet. My husband and I recommend it to anyone wanting a top quality experience. We left with memories that will last forever and will definitely return.

We thought we’d spend our Sicily trip visiting temples, climbing mountains, and seeing the baroque cities. We made itineraries and brought guidebooks. Instead, day after day, our plans to visit Siracusa or the Greek theatre at Taormina kept getting put off until tomorrow. We’d find ourselves in the gardens, on the beach, or at the table, unwilling to leave the comfort and food. We came to see Sicily and ended up seeing Villa San Andrea over and over. The food was so good it made me resent other meals. There was fresh fish that had been swimming that morning, pasta made for exactly what pasta should be, and tomatoes that seemed like the ideal version of a tomato. The rooms were exquisite, and the gardens had that particular Sicilian lushness, with bougainvillea, lemon trees, and Mediterranean light. Ancient rock frames the property, a reminder that people are temporary and limestone lasts. The staff were actually kind and helpful every day, with a warmth that felt genuine. It took a little time to trust that, but they kept showing it. The hotel has a way of making you happy to abandon your ambitious plans.