Grand Hotel Miramare - Taormina

Had a quiet and relaxing stay here. The rooms are large, with comfortable beds and an ample sized balcony to sit on for morning coffee. Fantastic views of Isola Bella and the coastline towards Forza D’Agro. A short walk to the bus terminal for taking excursions. A couple of good restaurants nearby if you don’t want to walk into town. The town is about 15 minutes of slow walking away, and is full of restaurants, shops and historical buildings and churches. Easy walk to the huge greek theatre. The only need for the nearby cable car is if you want to go down to the beaches, otherwise this is not needed to get up into the town. We had a very warm welcome by Salvatori, who has looked after us with passion and warmth. The breakfasts are good (a lot to choose from) with a choice of sitting in the dining room or outside. Rooms have aircon if needed, but you can sometimes hear your neighbours if they have loud voices.

I was so worried before I arrived as the reviews are so mixed. I shouldn’t have worried, the hotel is perfect for me for the following reasons: The location: It is a 10 minute walk in to town with a good mix of modern shops and tourist shops and bars and restaurants. The breakfast at the hotel is plentiful, a wide variety and the staff attentive. Breakfast is served in a nice room or on the terrace I thought I had to get the cable car to get to the high street but good news, you don’t need to. It is a 10 minute walk, on a pavement, slightly uphill but achievable. (I am in my 50’s). The cable car is a 10 minute walk away and takes you down the hill to the beach. 10 Euros there and back. The beach is pebbly but a good view. Sun beds are down there for hire. There are steps down to the beach after the cable car. Just take your time on the steps on the way back from the beach to the cable car. The cable car is ok if you are shaky with this type of thing. It is standing room and hot, but ok!! Moderate fitness needed to get up the steps to the cable car; although we found after 5 days in Sicily our fitness has improved. Don’t let it put you off, but it is not a flat along the beach stroll on your way back up. The view is amazing from the hotel. I am writing this form my balcony now and can’t stop looking at the sea and surrounding areas. Yes the balconies are not enclosed, it is more like sharing the space with your neighbours but that does give you a better view as it is not all brick walls. The staff have been lovely. Reception have been really helpful and the lady cleaning our room was lovely. The pool area is really relaxing. Been down there for a couple of hours today. The pizza was lovely at the pool bar and staff attentive. Beds are comfortable, shower pressure good. We are in a superior room, booked directly with the hotel. The airport shuttle also booked by the hotel was easy to do - €120 one way. The hotel is 10 minutes from the bus area that lots of tours run from. We did the godfather tour :-) Things that could be better are: Yes the room is tired, give me a weekend and a can of paint and it would look lovely! But it is clean. Yes tiny ants in the bathroom (2 mm in size?) but not to the point where it is intrusive/distracting. Maybe 10 in a week? Also yes forget to put things in the room after cleaning, toilet roll, coffee and creamer etc. but stopping at reception on the way out and it is soon fixed it. I appreciate it is totally out of the hotels control but some of the guests are noisy and inconsiderate. Coming back at 1pm and having a party on the balcony with loud Music? I know we are all on holiday and that means different things to different people. I see this more as a hotel where people want a good nights sleep to explore the lovely local area. Could have invited us all to the party!!! I would definitely come back. I checked today and the pool is open tomorrow (1st October) so not sure about previous reviews saying it is closed in October. I hope this review helps.