The island of Sicily, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a destination known for its outstanding beauty and ancient historical past.
This culturally complex island holds not only some of the most stunning natural wonders and picturesque towns, but it is also home to a selection of spectacular luxury hotels that take full advantage of Sicily’s diverse history and beautiful sun-soaked coastline.
To assist you in making a memorable trip, we have chosen the best luxury hotels that Sicily has to offer. This includes a historic resort along Palermo’s coastline, a luxurious hotel nestled in the Valley of Temples, and a glamorous mountain-side escape in Taormina.
However, regardless of whether you are here for the history or the scenery, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds at any of these stunning Sicilian retreats that offer glamorous surroundings perfectly located in the best areas that the island has to offer. So all you have to do now is pick one.
Hotel Villa Athena, Agrigento
If you are looking to soak in some of Sicily’s rich history, then you can not ask for a better location than Villa Athena. Located within the Valley of the Temples, the most historically significant archaeological park in Sicily, the Villa is excellently situated to reach the impressive 5th-century Greek ruins.
Here at this UNESCO World Heritage-listed location, you can find some of the best-preserved Doric temples outside of Greece.
Villa Athena is set within an elegant 18th-century property, originally built as a private residence, and offers its guests a modern and sophisticated stay thanks to an extensive renovation. Inside the Villa is beautiful, light, and airy with tall windows and stunning views of the temples in the distance.
Outside, a lush olive grove offers privacy while its guests enjoy dips in the outdoor pool, or enjoy spa treatments at the Greek-inspired onsite spa. The La Terrazza degli Dei restaurant is a romantic spot where guests can indulge in delicious traditional Sicilian cuisine with views of the serene Temples of Concordia.
With only 27 rooms and suites guests can expect a personalized service from the moment they enter. Rooms are luxurious and spacious with crisp white lines and floor-to-ceiling windows with epic views of the archaeological park being the obvious favorites.
Lonely Planet review:
“This historic five-star hotel in an aristocratic 18th-century villa offers the ultimate luxury experience. The cavernous Villa Suite, floored in antique tiles with a free-standing spa bath and a vast terrace overlooking the temples, might well be Sicily’s coolest hotel room.”
Hotel details
Address:
Via Passeggiata Archeologica 33, 92100 Agrigento, Italy.
Guest rating:
4.6 out of 5
Price per night:
From $125
Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel, Palermo
Lying on the Palermo shoreline, this stunning Art Nouveau palazzo is in sharp contrast to the capital city’s rugged persona. Designed as a private estate for the Florio family, one of Italy’s wealthiest families of the time, the hotel has been transformed by British designer Olga Polizzi and is now part of the illustrious Rocco Forte Hotel group.
As such, Villa Igiea is a striking resort located on the marina in Palermo and offers guests a private and refined retreat from the bustling city.
The hotel has extensive grounds and boasts a glorious pool terrace where guests can enjoy cocktails with views over the bay. Everything within the hotel has been designed to showcase the Villa’s luxury, with intricate chandeliers and a beautiful garden area.
As to be expected from a Rocco Forte hotel, guests staying at the villa can expect a high level of service from the moment they arrive. Villa Igiea has 78 guest rooms and suites, and two restaurants on offer to those wishing to be based near the city, within reach of its dramatic Byzantine mosaics and culturally interesting architecture.
Inside, the guest rooms are modern with elegant touches. Long curtains drape the windows of the rooms, whereas suites enjoy plenty of space and sunny private terraces. Throughout the hotel, guests can find grand staircases and Art Nouveau frescoes adorning the hallways, creating a sense of glamour wherever you step within Villa Igiea.
Fodor’s review:
“Following a magnificent renovation by the Rocco Forte group, this Art Nouveau fantasy created by architect Ernesto Basile for the Florio family at the turn of the 20th century has been restored to its original glamour and glory.”
Hotel details
Address:
Salita Belmonte 43, 90142 Palermo, Italy.
Guest rating:
4.7 out of 5
Price per night:
From $425
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina
Located in the picturesque town of Taormina, on the east coast of Sicily, the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is nestled on a hillside below a historical Greek Amphitheatre. From its envied position, the hotel has beautiful views of the Ionian Sea and offers an excellent vantage point of Mount Etna.
The Grand Hotel Timeo has stood in Sicily since 1873, and as such has a rich history of welcoming well-known aristocratic figures such as Oscar Wilde, and DH Lawrence.
A recent renovation of the hotel has created a serene place to escape to close to the bustling town of Taormina, which is located a short distance away. Here guests can relax in the hotel’s serene private gardens which span six acres or enjoy the private beach of the sister hotel, Villa Sant’Andrea in the pretty Bay of Mazzaro.
Guest rooms at the hotel have a classical style with wonderful floor-to-ceiling windows, antique furnishings, and marble bathrooms. Each room has the added luxury of a private balcony or terrace with stunning views across the bay below.
The hotel is the perfect place for an Italian retreat on the sunny isle of Sicily. With a delightful heated pool, sleek fitness center, and excellent restaurant, Il Dito e la Luna serving traditional Sicilian cuisine the Grand Hotel Timeo offers the ultimate oasis within the hills of Taormina.
CN Traveler review:
“The first hotel in Taormina, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo still dazzles guests with views and history that have been here for more than a century. The hotel overlooks the terra-cotta rooftops of the medieval village and, beyond that, the coast toward Mount Etna.”
Hotel details
Address:
Teatro Greco 59, 98039 Taormina, Italy.
Guest rating:
4.8 out of 5
Price per night:
From $420
NH Collection Hotel, Taormina
Also located in the strikingly beautiful town of Taormina, the NH Collection Taormina Hotel is a luxury escape set on a mountainside with views across the Bay of Naxos.
This postcard-perfect town is a magnet for glitz and glamour, with the fashionable Taormina film festival being held here during June, and many upscale boutique shops line its cliffside streets. The NH Collection hotel is no exception to this and is a testament to classic Italian style and relaxed luxury.
Here guests can relax and unwind after a day exploring the vibrant city at the infinity pool that features hydromassage beds or enjoy a cocktail at the Lu Souli Bar and Restaurant. With its early 20th-century architecture, the hotel exudes a refined charm, which is evident within its guest rooms.
This hotel offers 63 well-presented and spacious rooms with modern details, that include designer furniture and oak wood flooring. The private bathrooms feature Sicilian mosaics and luxury fog-free mirrors that perfect the guest experience.
The hotel also includes a fully equipped gym and a luxurious Fusion Spa, complete with a sauna and a steam room. However, should guests tire of the hotel’s high-level amenities they can venture to Taormina’s central promenade area, Corso Umberto, to partake in an evening stroll before retiring back to their room for a restful night’s sleep.
Hotel details
Address:
Via Circonvallazione 11, 98040 Taormina, Italy.
Guest rating:
4.7 out of 5
Price per night:
From $195
San Domenico Palace, Taormina
Teetering on a clifftop in the hills of the idyllic Taormina, the stylish San Domenico Palace hotel offers guests a luxurious resort experience, which should be expected, as the hotel is part of the Four Seasons Hotel group.
As you walk through the entrance, guests are greeted with grandeur and glamour with the hotel’s high ceilings and 19th-century architecture. The building, originally built as a Dominican convent, has undergone a spectacular transformation and offers guests a modern hotel stay, yet has retained its historical charm.
Impressive artworks, historic architecture, and antique details combine with contemporary furnishings to create an inviting stay at San Domenico Palace.
Guests at the hotel can enjoy the pretty infinity pool with a terrace that overlooks the beautiful Sicilian bay below. It is the ideal stay for anyone looking to relax and unwind with exclusive activities such as Sicilian sushi masterclasses or star gazing safaris to Mount Etna.
The guest rooms at San Domenico Palace are impressive and welcoming, with contemporary furnishings and bring and airy spaces.
Suites enjoy a private terrace, with larger suites having the luxury of private plunge pools. All rooms at the hotel are superb and offer guests stunning views of either the ocean below or the iconic Mount Etna behind.
Forbes review:
“History and romance abound at the striking San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel. With its scenic location on a cliff overlooking Taormina’s winding alleyways, majestic Mount Etna and the bright blue Ionian Sea, the 111-room luxury hotel in Sicily occupies a former 19th-century palace, which was itself a Dominican convent dating back to 1373.”
Hotel details
Address:
Piazza San Domenico 5, Taormina, 98039 Taormina, Italy.
Guest rating:
4.8 out of 5
Price per night:
From $920
About our luxury hotel recommendations in Sicily
We operate as a travel analysis firm. Our dedicated team endeavors to help you unearth the top-tier luxury accommodations in Sicily, rooting through online resources on your behalf. Notably, some places have even been visited by us.
Therefore, it’s not just our perspective we’re relying on. It’s an amalgamation of views from various travelers who’ve experienced these locations before. We simplify the task of discovering information about Sicily’s most prestigious and exclusive five-star lodgings.
Please be aware that our guide only includes hotels with a cumulative guest review score of at least 4 out of 5. This is calculated by aggregating reviews from diverse booking platforms and impartial review sites.
Consequently, you can rest assured that all hotels mentioned herein promise an excellent experience during your stay in Sicily.
Best price guarantee
We partner with Hotels.com and Booking.com to ensure you get the best price for your stay in Sicily! Both sites offer price matching. That means you pay the lowest prices for your stay.
If you find a cheaper offer on another website for the same luxury hotel in Sicily at least 24 hours before check-in, contact them to claim a refund of the difference!
Best 5-star hotels in Sicily
Now that you’ve gone over this guide, let’s summarize it. We got to know what the best 5-star hotels in Sicily are thanks to thousands of guest reviews and tips from travel experts:
More guides about Sicily
If you like the advice we’ve given you above, make sure to check out some of our other articles about Sicily:
