Historic and Period Hotels in Sicily and Sardinia

Grand Hotel Timeo. Taormina, Sicily

Located in its own park, full of olives and magnolias, and opposite the town’s Greek theatre, the Grand Hotel Timeo dates back to 1873. Since then it has been an ongoing haunt of cultural icons, drawn to the remarkable views to be had from its terrace - it is even possible for one to see Mount Etna in the distance.

A veritable host of famous figures have rested here: Guglielmo Marconi, Guy de Maupassant, Oscar Wilde, Kaiser Wilhelm II and D H Lawrence for starters. Tripadvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

San Domenico Palace. Taormina, Sicily

One of the most famous monastery-hotels in the world, The San Domenico Palace only began to accommodate guests in 1896.

With origins dating back to the 14th century, the hotel’s views across the Ionian Sea and to Mount Etna were described by Goethe in 1767 - "To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything."

Oscar Wilde, Guy de Maupassant, D H Lawrence and Richard Wagner were all patrons, as somewhat less gloriously was Field Marshall Kesselring who made San Domenico his headquarters during World War II. Tripadvisor | Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Grand Villa Politi. Syracuse, Sicily

Located in the extraordinary setting of the ancient quarries of Latomie de Cappuccini, the Grand Villa Poilti has long been established as a haunt of the rich & famous. Indeed, Edmondo de Amicis celebrated it in his Memories of a Sicilian Journey: “I can’t remember more delightful hours than those I spent on the terrace of the Grand Albergo Politi”.

Winston Churchill is said to have stayed here on more than one occasion, with the public lounge named in his honour the place in which he would spend his afternoons painting. Tripadvisor Expedia | www.lastminute.com

More Historic Hotels in Sicily

Calatabiano

Castello San Marco. Said to have been built in 1689, this is certainly one of the finest old buildings in Sicily. Set amid its own parkland, the hotel offers a total of 32 rooms and suites. It is within easy reach of both Mount Etna and Taormina. Expedia

Castelbuono

Relais Santa Anastasia. The famous Temple of Diana is only a short drive from this ancient property. Dispensing five star hospitality, Relais Santa Anastasia is a former monastery which offers 25 rooms in all. 5-star. Expedia | LateRooms

Castiglione di Sicilia

Hotel Frederico II. A fourteenth century building located at the heart of the historic town of Castiglione. LateRooms | Expedia

Cefalù

Palazzo Maria. In the town famous for its Arab-Norman cathedral, Palazzo Maria is itself a remarkable building. It seems likely that it was constructed in 1139 during the reign of King Roger II such that it might be his Domus Regina. Accommodation is via six apartments. Expedia

Scicli

Hotel Novecento. Nights In The Past would love to find out more about the history of this particular hotel - it’s name, after all, means “nine centuries”. Expedia

Siracusa (Syracuse)

Alla Giudecca Residence Hotel. A medieval palazzo close to the city’s harbour. LateRooms

Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel. With 30 individually furnished rooms, this 19th century building is located near to the heart of the city. Expedia

Domus Mariae Benessere. This 14th century building - once the home of the nobility - possesses a ‘wellness centre’ and is four star rated. Expedia

Modica

Hotel Palazzo Failla. A fine example of 18th century Sicilian architecture, Palazzo Failla is situated at the heart of this historic little town. It offers only 10 rooms, thus avoiding the unpleasantness of modern corporate stack-‘em-high hospitality. LateRooms | Expedia

Villa Cannizzo Hotel. A pleasing little nineteenth century hotel, once the home of local nobility, offering 8 rooms.

Ragusa

Hotel Antica Badia Relais. This impressive Sicilian villa is located right at the heart of Ragusa - an ideal base to discover the southern half of the island. Offering 12 rooms in all, Antica Badia Relais dates from the XVIII century and features grand halls and frescoes. Expedia

Romantik Hotel Locanda Don Serafino. The very fabric of this eighteenth century Palazzo is on display. A 4-star hotel, it is situated in Ibla (the historic area of Ragusa). Expedia

Eremo Della Giubiliana. With a history dating back to the 12th century, this is certainly a place of extraordinary heritage value. How much of that original structure remains is hard to ascertain, but it was originally an Arab home (Rendet gebuni) and played a role in defending the area from Barbary pirates. Moreover, The Knights of the Order of San Giovanni - based in Malta - were known to have inhabited the building during the early XVI century. Indeed, recent restoration work revealed a passageway they would likely have used. LateRooms | Expedia

Palermo

Centrale Palace Hotel. Meticulously restored in 2003, this was manifestly once the residence of the rich and powerful. 18th century in origin, its size means that it can offer over 100 rooms and suites. Four star rated. Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Taormina

Villa Ducale. This was once the home of Sicilian aristocrats, and the luxurious surroundings of its time as a private resiidence have been very much transferred to its role as a hotel. Extremely highly rated by independent reviewers, Hotel Villa Ducale affords the guest some staggering views from its terrace. It offers 11 double rooms and six suites, and prides itself on being a wonderful destination for honeymoons or anniversaries. Expedia | www.lastminute.com

Hotel Villa Carlotta. Built in 1860, this may not be the oldest hotel on Sicily, but it certainly ranks among its most luxurious. It is a Member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, but it could just as easily be associated with a ‘hotels with great views’ organisation (if one actually existed) - both the picturesque bay and Mount Etna are to be taken in here. Expedia | LateRooms

More Historic Hotels in Sardinia

Arbatax

Relais Monteturri Located on Capo Bellavista - and thus benefiting from some wondrous views - Relais Monteturri offers 42 rooms divided between the main house and its associated cottages. Expedia

Oristano

Hotel Lucrezia. Olde world Sardinia meets highly-rated hospitality here. Only a short drive from Oristano, Hotel Lucrezia is situated in the village of Riola Sardo. TripAdvisor

Hotel Duomo. The old part of this Sardinian hotel is said to date from 1600 and has been declared a building of historic interest. It offers ten rooms and is situated across from the Santa Maria Assunta cathedral. Expedia

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