Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Italy / Taormina / Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina
Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina
Taormina, Italy · Belmond · Apex Luxury
Grand Hotel Timeo traces its origins to Taormina's earliest tourism history: Prussian baron Otto Geleng began painting watercolours near the Greek theatre in 1863, work that put the town on the map for European travelers. Don Francesco La Floresta converted his residence into the Timeo in 1873 with five rooms, and by the 1890s it had grown to 72 rooms. Kaiser Wilhelm II rented the entire property in 1896 and 1904, and literary guests included Oscar Wilde and Tennessee Williams. Belmond acquired the hotel in 2010, its 70 rooms still beside one of the best-preserved Greek theatres in the world.
- 70 rooms
- Opened 1873
- Neighborhood: Sicily
- Rooms from 269 sq ft (25 m²)
About Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina
- Taormina's first hotel: Don Francesco La Floresta opened the Timeo in 1873 with five rooms immediately beside the ancient Greek theatre.
- Oscar Wilde, D.H. Lawrence, and Tennessee Williams were among the literary guests who followed.
- The Michelin-starred Otto Geleng restaurant seats just 16 guests and is named for the painter who discovered the town.
- Entry-level rooms start at 269 sq ft (25 m²).
History
Prussian painter Otto Geleng sat in a private house beside Taormina's Greek theatre in 1863 and put the town on European easels. Don Francesco La Floresta opened that house as the Timeo in 1873: five rooms, the ancient cavea at the garden wall. By the 1890s it had grown to seventy-two rooms. Kaiser Wilhelm II rented the entire hotel in 1896 and again in 1904.
Oscar Wilde, D.H. Lawrence, and Tennessee Williams followed. Belmond bought the house in 2010. Seventy keys still sit against one of the best-preserved Greek theatres in the world, Etna across the Bay of Naxos. Otto Geleng, the sixteen-seat restaurant named for the painter, took a Michelin star in 2019.
You sleep in Taormina's first hotel, still leaning on the theatre Geleng came to paint.
The setting
Stands immediately adjacent to Taormina's ancient Greek theatre, one of the best-preserved in the world, with sweeping views of the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna beyond. The hillside Sicilian Baroque town of Taormina surrounds the property.
Restaurants and bars
- Otto Geleng — Restaurant · Innovative interpretations of traditional Sicilian cuisine · Chef Roberto Toro · One MICHELIN Star
- Il Desco — Restaurant
- Ristorante Timeo — Restaurant · Sicilian and Mediterranean
- Timeo Grill & Pool Bar — Poolside
- Bar Clementina — Bar
Experiences
- Concerts, opera, theatre and film festivals at the Ancient Theatre of Taormina — Concierge can book events at the Ancient Theatre next to the hotel, especially during summer.
- Volcanic excursions to Mount Etna — Arranged through the concierge as part of tailored experiences.
- Wine tasting tours in the Etna region — Arranged through the concierge.
- Cooking classes — Arranged through the concierge; learn traditional recipes.
- Guided excursions to local historical sites — Arranged through the concierge as tailored activities.
- Boat trips along the coast — Arranged through the concierge.
Amenities
- Pool with panoramic Etna views
- Spa
- Fitness center
- Shuttle to sister property Villa Sant'Andrea on the beach
- Direct access to ancient Greek theatre
- Cabana privileges at Villa Sant'Andrea beach
- Sauna
- Hot tub
- Private beach
- Fine dining
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- Michelin star (Otto Geleng, awarded 2019, retained through (2019)
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star
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