La Plage Resort

A stone wall draped in vines surrounds the entrance to this sleek hotel. A small glass-railing staircase and corridor leads to the lobby, which has natural hardwood floors and walls, white couches, pouf chairs, and strung seashells dangling over the front desk. Large glass doors lead to the covered outdoor patio, with its trendy woven pod-like chairs that overlook the water. A small strip of grass separates the patio from the beach below. The grounds are covered with stone walkways, manicured hedges, and lushly flowered trees. Little ones are welcome here but the grown-up vibe caters more towards couples. 

La Plage Resort is located right on Isola Bay, inside the beautiful Isola Bella Nature Reserve. The hotel is a one-minute walk to the cable car, which goes straight to the historic center. There isn't much to see and do within walking distance.

• Seven-minute walk to Lido Mazzao
• 10-minute drive to the Greek Theater, the Museum of Art and Popular Traditions, the Church of San Domenico, and the Cathedral of Taormina
• 15-minute drive to Taormina Archaeological Museum and to Spisone Beach
• 20-minute drive to Giardini Naxos Beach
• 50-minute drive to Taormina Roman Odeon and the Catania Fontanarossa Airport

Bright rooms are contemporary with sophisticated decor and zero cleanliness issues. Plush beds with white linens, hardwood floors, white fabric headboards, and sleek white furniture create a comfortable, serene atmosphere. All the rooms include flat-screen TVs, extra places to sit (some of the rooms are pretty cramped with just a chair in the corner), mini-fridges, safes, and built-in closets. The bathrooms have gray mosaic tiles, bathtubs, glass-door showers, vessel sinks, high-end toiletries, bidets, and phones. Some of the rooms include furnished balconies, while the Suites and Deluxe Suites have two or three bathrooms, and whirlpools in private gardens with views of the Isola Bay. Bungalows, some with whirlpools, are also available. One picky detail: the grass around the whirlpools looks a little patchy in some places. 

This hotel's dining areas all take advantage of the gorgeous view and proximity to the water. The large, Mediterranean themed Fusion restaurant is situated on a shaded patio overlooking the bay, while the Terrazza Isola Bella sits on an outdoor patio with the mountains as a backdrop. Breakfast is included with the room rate. The Beach Club, which has a wooden deck with chairs, umbrellas, and a bar, sits on the pebbly sand on the bay, and staff will deliver drinks directly to guests on their lounge chairs. The beach can get packed with people during the busiest times of the day. The hotel also has a modern fitness center, and a spa with treatment rooms, an indoor whirlpool, and a Turkish bath. Freebies include Wi-Fi and garage parking.