A delightful restored palace that was an ideal place for a relaxing break. The building and gardens are very pretty, with a nice pool and easy access to the beach nearby. The location is relatively close to Taormina but well away from the tourist trail so it's ideal for a bit of peace and quiet. Breakfasts were very good with a large amount of choice and there is a nice bar in the gardens. There are great views across to Mount Etna throughout the property.

The on-site restaurant is quite high end and expensive, so not really feasible to eat there every night if you're staying for a while. However, there is an excellent local restaurant right outside which is a great alternative. If you're staying you really need a car. It's a short drive to get to Taormina and the autostrada for elsewhere in Sicily but would be much more difficult without your own transport.

Stunning place to stay, the marketing doesn’t do the hotel any justice - it’s far more beautiful than we expected! The location is very residential and away from touristic sites, which was perfect for us as it was very peaceful - reception were more than helpful in arranging taxis for when we wanted to venture out. (We chose not to hire a car!). The staff are very warm and welcoming, food and drinks are lovely, and the pool is divine!

The only criticism I have is that there is a cover charge for dining and drinking at the on site restaurant and wine bar - as guests of the hotel, with nothing much around in the local area, there is no choice other than to enjoy hotel amenities.

I absolutely loved the Pool, the grounds, gardens, the cocktails at the pool the bar and in the restaurant were all perfect craft cocktails which make the world of a difference. The ambience was very calm, laid back and all the facilities were clean, updated and picturesque. We will definitely return and stay longer. It was a beautiful stay worth every dollar.

I would say if anything the location of the hotel is a little bit out in the middle of nowhere, not necessarily a bad thing if you like peace and quiet. the beach was nice and chill, Not as fancy as you would expect with the hotel.

Gorgeous pool area, bar and grounds. Room was big and very comfortable bed. There is a big difference in rooms, some not updated yet so fully investigate options. We had an older style but saw the new ones for £50 a night more, and had we had known the extreme difference, would have defo forked out the extra...next time!

Service could be a little better in terms of attention to detail eg pool bar often did not have ice and dirty plate left in room for two days.

Absolutely beautiful. Old Castle which remains a family home. 30 rooms in single storey bungalows or terraces scattered around the gardens. Large pool. Utterly peaceful. Spotless. Staff fantastic. Restaurant out of this world. Fabulous breakfast Just over an hour from airport. Twenty minutes from Taormina. Room had a kettle and cups to make a cup of tea. The only place we stayed that had this.

You definitely need a car.

This place is a little slice of heaven, everything was amazing and so well thought through. Each little space felt so intimate and like there were just a few guests staying. There are so many original features which just make the place so charming!! The staff are super friendly and the food and drinks are delicious. The breakfast too… you must try a pistachio croissant!!

The only room for improvement would be that the furniture in the rooms is a tiny bit dated. It’s perfectly charming but to get the rooms to the same standard as the main building would really be the icing on the cake.

Excellent hotel, located above all others, excellent service, exemplary cleanliness, excellent facilities. We had the honor of participating in the opening event of the excellent chef's restaurant. Special mention to Flavia, the receptionist, who was always at our disposal with a smile and essential information. In short, an excellent hotel.

The property is located in a castle of the 19th century surrounded by a garden and with access to a black beach. The staff was superb and everything was well taken cared of. Big spotlight on the breakfast served in a very elegant room with excellent homemade cakes, regional products, and more. We loved it.

A bit far from everything you need the car for almost everything.

We loved the castle and the grounds; it's incredibly beautiful but as it was the last day of operation things like the spa and pool were not really operational. Some of the staff were really friendly and kind and some were already disengaged. The food unique and exceptionally tasty and the wine bar was very pretty.

Their should be more actually access to the original castle - even a tour or some other features open other than just the reception. Rooms are ok but need to upgrade things like a coffee machine for such a luxurious establishment.

The property is one of a kind it’s not everyday that you can say you stayed in a castle. The staff Claudio and Flavia were very attentive and always happy to help. Daniel our driver was fantastic and even helped us do some ancestry research. All in all an exceptional stay

You need a car or taxi to go around A little on the expensive side side for taxi and meals