Hotel Villa Belvedere, a 4‑star property at Via Bagnoli Croce 79 in Taormina, earns a 9.1/10 rating from 1,497 verified guests on KAYAK. This review triangulates guest ratings, location data, and recurring themes from six independent platforms to help you decide if this century‑old villa is the right choice for your Sicilian stay.
Last checked: 2026-06-20
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Hotel name: Hotel Villa Belvedere · Address: Via Bagnoli Croce, 79, 98039 Taormina, Sicily, Italy · Distance to centre: 5-minute walk · Price range: €374–€1,240 per night · Number of rooms: 49 · Year built: 1902
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-20.
Sources reviewed: Official property website, KAYAK, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Hotels.com, Citalia travel agent, Rick Steves Travel Forum.
No on‑site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price negotiation with the hotel.
Snapshot: Hotel Villa Belvedere Taormina
- Address: Via Bagnoli Croce 79, 98039 Taormina, Sicily, Italy (Booking.com)
- Official 4‑star rating (Citalia)
- 49 rooms (Citalia)
- 9.1/10 (1,497 ratings) – KAYAK
- 9.2/10 (recent‑guest rating) – Booking.com
- 0.4 miles from Taormina centre (KAYAK)
- 1,950 feet from centre (Booking.com)
- Nearest beach: 2,150 feet (Booking.com)
- Closest landmark: Giardini della Villa Comunale (KAYAK)
- Check‑in: 3:00 PM / Check‑out: 11:00 AM (KAYAK, Booking.com)
- Free Wi‑Fi (KAYAK)
- Open early April to end of October (Citalia)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Hotel name | Hotel Villa Belvedere |
| Address | Via Bagnoli Croce, 79, 98039 Taormina, Sicily, Italy |
| Distance to centre | 0.4 miles (5‑minute walk) – Booking.com, KAYAK |
| Price range | €374–€1,240 per night – TripAdvisor 2026 |
| Number of rooms | 49 |
| Year built | 1902 – Official site |
| Key amenities | Poolside bar, terrace, garden, near Greek Theatre & Cable Car – Booking.com, KAYAK |
| Specification | Data |
|---|---|
| Hotel name | Hotel Villa Belvedere |
| Star rating | 4‑star |
| Address | Via Bagnoli Croce 79, 98039 Taormina |
| Year opened | 1902 |
| Number of rooms | 49 |
| Price range per night | €374–€1,240 – TripAdvisor 2026 |
| Check‑in / Check‑out | 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Free Wi‑Fi | Yes |
| Breakfast hours | 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM – Citalia |
| Open season | Early April – end of October – Citalia |
What is the best part of Taormina to stay in?
Neighbourhood character of the Villa Belvedere area
The hotel sits in one of Taormina’s greenest pockets, close to the public gardens of Giardini della Villa Comunale. KAYAK lists Giardini della Villa Comunale as the closest landmark, and Booking.com puts the hotel 1,950 feet from the town centre. The immediate area is residential, quiet, and lined with lemon trees and bougainvillea.
Proximity to Corso Umberto and Greek Theatre
Guests on Expedia note it is “a short walk to restaurants and the main pedestrian street.” The Greek Theatre is reachable on foot within about 10 minutes. The cable car to Mazzarò beach is a few minutes’ walk from the hotel’s garden entrance.
The bottom line: For first‑time visitors, this location balances walkability to landmarks with a calmer setting than the Corso Umberto frontage.
Why is Belvedere hotel famous?
Historical background since 1902
Built in 1902, Hotel Villa Belvedere predates most of Taormina’s hotel stock. The villa was originally a private residence and retains period features such as wrought‑iron balconies, majolica floors, and a sprawling terrace. Citalia describes it as a “clifftop” property on Sicily’s east coast.
Movie and celebrity associations
Travelers frequently ask whether the hotel appeared in a film. Despite the popularity of the question, no verified source—neither the hotel’s official site nor neutral review platforms—confirms a specific movie. The hotel’s fame instead rests on its panoramic position and century‑old character, which have attracted a loyal following of returning guests. The hotel’s own reviews page features a quote: “So good…we kept extending our stay!”
The pattern: The hotel’s reputation is built on longevity and setting, not a single film appearance.
Which hotel has the best view in Taormina?
Views from Villa Belvedere
Set on a bluff near the Greek Theatre, the hotel offers coastal vistas over the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna on clear days. An Expedia reviewer wrote: “The room and property were gorgeous and the view was even better.” The garden and terrace are oriented toward the sea, and the poolside bar (open seasonally) capitalises on the panorama.
Comparing with other Taormina hotels
Hotels directly on Corso Umberto, such as Hotel Villa Carlotta, offer street‑level views but less of the open prospect that Villa Belvedere provides. A Rick Steves forum contributor preferred Villa Paradiso for its pool and quieter road position, but noted that Paradise lacked the same expansive view. For pure scenery, Villa Belvedere is consistently rated among Taormina’s best.
What this means: If an unobstructed sea view is your top priority, this hotel delivers it better than most competitors in the same price band.
What movie was the Belvedere Hotel in?
Film history of the hotel
Despite the recurring search query, no reliable source ties Hotel Villa Belvedere to a particular film production. Neither the official website nor review platforms mention a movie appearance. The hotel’s fame is rooted in its physical history and location, not cinema. Celebrity guests may have stayed over the decades, but those claims remain unverified in the provided research.
The catch: The movie question is one of the most‑asked, but it currently has no confirmed answer.
What does Belvedere mean in Italian?
Translation and architectural meaning
“Belvedere” translates directly as “beautiful view.” The term is a compound of Italian bello (beautiful) and vedere (to see/ view). In architecture, a belvedere is a turret, loggia, or terrace built specifically to take advantage of a vista. According to Britannica, the term has been used since the Renaissance to describe structures designed for viewing landscapes. The hotel lives up to its name.
Why this matters: The name is literal—the hotel was built around its outlook, and that orientation remains its greatest asset.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Consistently high ratings across platforms (9.1 KAYAK, 9.2 Booking.com)
- Walkable to centre and Greek Theatre
- Free Wi‑Fi and sea views from terrace
- Historic charm with period details
Cons
- Only open April–October
- Some rooms on the road side can be noisy (per travel forum reports)
- Limited room count (49) means early booking needed in peak season
- Price can exceed €1,200/night for top categories
Best For Segments
- Couples seeking romance: Quiet garden, terrace dining, and sunset views suit a romantic stay.
- History and culture travelers: Proximity to the Greek Theatre and the hotel’s own 1902 heritage align with cultural interests.
- Luxury boutique hotel enthusiasts: With 49 rooms and a century of history, it fits the boutique‑luxury profile.
Pricing Band
Rates span €374–€1,240 per night, according to TripAdvisor (2026 data). The wide range reflects season, room category (standard to suite), and whether a sea‑view terrace is included. Off‑season spring and autumn shoulder months offer the lowest rates within the hotel’s April–October operating window.
Location & Getting There
The hotel is at Via Bagnoli Croce 79, a quiet side street off the main access road into Taormina. KAYAK measures 0.4 miles from the town centre; Booking.com calculates 1,950 feet. The Greek Theatre is a 10‑minute walk. The cable car to Mazzarò beach is about 5 minutes on foot from the garden entrance. For those arriving by car, the hotel offers limited on‑site parking (confirm availability at booking).
Alternatives in Taormina
Villa Paradiso: A Rick Steves forum reviewer preferred it for its quiet road position and pool, though it lacks the same sweeping view.
Villa Carlotta: A central option directly on Corso Umberto, frequently compared in TripAdvisor discussions with Villa Belvedere for location versus view trade‑offs. For more Italian boutique hotel comparisons, read our Hotel San Giorgio Italy: Reviews, Locations, and Comparison.
Our Pick
For first‑time Taormina visitors who want old‑world charm and a central location without sacrificing scenery, Hotel Villa Belvedere is a strong choice. Its walkable setting and consistent guest satisfaction ratings make it especially suitable for couples and culture travelers during the April–October season.
“‘Our room was large and beautiful. The hotel location was perfect – we could walk to everything. The staff was very helpful and went above and beyond.'”
— Tripadvisor reviewer, guest
“‘Great location. Old school charm. Comfortable room. Excellent staff. Really felt like home.'”
— Tripadvisor reviewer, guest
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best part of Taormina to stay in for first‑time visitors?
Most travelers recommend the area between Corso Umberto and the Greek Theatre. Hotel Villa Belvedere sits in this zone, a 5‑minute walk from the main pedestrian street and 10 minutes from the ancient theatre.
How many days is enough to see Taormina?
A typical stay is 2–3 nights. This allows time to explore the Greek Theatre, walk Corso Umberto, take the cable car to Mazzarò beach, and enjoy a day trip to Mount Etna or Isola Bella.
What is the address of Hotel Villa Belvedere?
Via Bagnoli Croce 79, 98039 Taormina, Sicily, Italy.
Is Taormina nicer than Catania?
Preference varies, but Taormina is often chosen for its coastal views, historical centre, and relaxed atmosphere, while Catania offers a larger city experience with more budget accommodation options.
What is the price range per night at Hotel Villa Belvedere?
€374–€1,240 per night, depending on season and room category (TripAdvisor 2026).
What amenities does Hotel Villa Belvedere offer?
Free Wi‑Fi, a terrace, garden, poolside bar (seasonal), and buffet breakfast served 7:30–10:30 AM.
Sources Cited
- KAYAK – Hotel Villa Belvedere listing
- Booking.com – Hotel Villa Belvedere page
- TripAdvisor – Hotel Villa Belvedere reviews
- Expedia – Hotel Villa Belvedere page
- Hotels.com – Hotel Villa Belvedere page
- Hotel Villa Belvedere – Official reviews page
- Citalia – Hotel Villa Belvedere detail
- Rick Steves Travel Forum – Villa Belvedere discussion
- Britannica – Belvedere definition
- TripAdvisor – Villa Belvedere vs Villa Carlotta