Pros

  • Upscale hillside property, overlooking the sea and Mount Etna
  • Private beach accessible via a cave plus a gorgeous hillside pool and hot tub with sea views
  • Classic rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and balconies; some with sea views
  • Suites have living rooms, saunas, and whirlpool tubs in spacious bathrooms
  • Three bars and three restaurants with pretty sea-facing terraces
  • Clean gym, wellness center, jewelry boutique, and newsstand on-site
  • 24-hour front desk service, business services, and five meeting rooms
  • Free Taormina shuttle (six times a day) and parking
  • Garage parking available (for a fee)
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Cons

  • Fee for Wi-Fi and wellness center access
  • Furnishings are a bit dated and at times worn
  • Boats and bar music can be noisy in rooms
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Bottom Line

Perched on a cliff above the Bay of Naxos, the 190-room Atahotel Capotaormina is a picturesque, upscale property with a cave that leads to a private beach. Lovely sea views are a highlight here, and can be seen from the striking saltwater pool, hot tub, and inviting terraces attached to bars and restaurants. There’s also a modern gym and conference space. Traditional rooms and suites have old-fashioned, pastel furnishings; the sea views from balconies and terraces plus spacious bathrooms are the best features of these accommodations. Guess have complained about the fees for Wi-Fi and wellness center access. This location, unlike the Hotel Villa Carlotta, isn’t in walking distance to Taormina’s city center, but the hotel provides a free shuttle.

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

UNAHOTELS Capotaormina

Scene

Upscale hotel with a gorgeous cliff location and lovely sea views 

Located on Taormina’s jagged cliffs, the four-pearl Atahotel Capotaormina is a 1970s-built property that offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea with boats zipping by and seagulls flying overhead. This hotel has a lovely illuminated cave that leads down to a private bay, where the water is fairly calm. With postcard-worthy views, it’s no wonder the location was featured in the '80s film “The Big Blue.” The hotel is part of the Atahotels brand that has 21 properties across Italy. Unfortunately, interior design in the rooms is on the dated side, but the large lobby is contemporary with exposed bricks and a golden light ceiling fixture. Brown rattan furniture provides seating in the reception area and three elevators service all seven floors. This serene and romantic atmosphere is tailored toward couples, although there are meeting rooms available for business travelers. 

See More Scene

Location

Hillside tourist location above the Mediterranean, a 10-minute drive from Taormina’s city center

A major draw for tourists is this hotel’s beautiful hillside location. The site is reachable via a winding road that’s fairly quiet, although it’s frequented by tour buses. The property sits above the Bay of Naxos and overlooks the Mount Etna volcano, which takes over an hour by car to reach. There’s a free shuttle that goes to the city center of Taormina in 10 to 15 minutes, but reservations must be made in advance since it’s such a popular hotel feature. The funicular train, which is about 15 minutes away on foot, goes up and down the mountain. The drive to the Taormina main train station takes two minutes. Corso Umberto -- with shopping, dining, the Italian Opera Taormina, Piazza IX Aprile, and Duomo di Taormina -- is a 10-minute drive away. The ancient Greco-Roman theater, the Teatro Antico di Taormina, also takes 10 minutes by car to reach. Driving to the Catania Fontanarossa Airport takes an hour. 

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Rooms

Classic rooms and suites with pastel furnishings, modern features, and sea views in some

Rooms are spacious and bright but a touch outdated with pastel yellow and blue furnishings, carpeting or wooden floors, rattan or beachwood furniture, and ornate light fixtures. However, the beautiful sea views available from some furnished balconies and terraces are a spectacular feature. Blue tiled bathrooms have hairdryers, bidets, showers, and/or shower/tub combos. Classic Rooms and Superior Rooms can add a third bed on request. Executive Rooms are the biggest option. Suites -- Executive, Junior, and Superior Junior -- have bathrobes and slippers, whirlpool tubs, living rooms, and views in some of Isola Bella island and Mount Etna. Executive Apartments are two double rooms with two bathrooms. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, electric kettles, walk-in closets, safes, and minibars. Wi-Fi is an additional fee. Four accessible rooms are available. 

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Features

Direct beach access, an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, gym, wellness center, restaurants and bars, and conference space

The hotel’s private beach feels like a hidden treasure with a cave -- illuminated by floor lights -- that leads to a cove, where there are white umbrellas, chairs, and towels. The beach can also be reserved for parties. At the cliff’s edge there is a gorgeous outdoor infinity pool and a nearby 14-person hot tub. The small fitness center is equipped with weight and cardio machines, a punching bag, and free weights. There isn’t a spa here, but a wellness center offers beauty treatments and access to a sauna for a fee.  

The classically decorated restaurants and bars offer stunning sea views from inviting outdoor terraces. The Cliff Restaurant has a terrace with optional candlelit dinners. Restaurant Alcantara provides an American breakfast buffet and terrace seating. Sicilian fare is offered at the Restaurant Naxos that has floor-to-ceiling windows with sea views. There’s also a beach bar, poolside bar, and a rooftop terrace at the Bar Svevo, which has live music.

Also on-site are two foyers and five meeting rooms that can accommodate between 10 to 450 people. There's a fee to access Wi-Fi throughout. 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About UNAHOTELS Capotaormina

Also Known As

  • Atahotel Capotaormina

Address

Via Nazionale 105, Taormina 98039, Sicily

Phone

39 0942 572800

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

UNAHOTELS Capotaormina

Scene

Upscale hotel with a gorgeous cliff location and lovely sea views 

Located on Taormina’s jagged cliffs, the four-pearl Atahotel Capotaormina is a 1970s-built property that offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea with boats zipping by and seagulls flying overhead. This hotel has a lovely illuminated cave that leads down to a private bay, where the water is fairly calm. With postcard-worthy views, it’s no wonder the location was featured in the '80s film “The Big Blue.” The hotel is part of the Atahotels brand that has 21 properties across Italy. Unfortunately, interior design in the rooms is on the dated side, but the large lobby is contemporary with exposed bricks and a golden light ceiling fixture. Brown rattan furniture provides seating in the reception area and three elevators service all seven floors. This serene and romantic atmosphere is tailored toward couples, although there are meeting rooms available for business travelers. 

See More Scene

Location

Hillside tourist location above the Mediterranean, a 10-minute drive from Taormina’s city center

A major draw for tourists is this hotel’s beautiful hillside location. The site is reachable via a winding road that’s fairly quiet, although it’s frequented by tour buses. The property sits above the Bay of Naxos and overlooks the Mount Etna volcano, which takes over an hour by car to reach. There’s a free shuttle that goes to the city center of Taormina in 10 to 15 minutes, but reservations must be made in advance since it’s such a popular hotel feature. The funicular train, which is about 15 minutes away on foot, goes up and down the mountain. The drive to the Taormina main train station takes two minutes. Corso Umberto -- with shopping, dining, the Italian Opera Taormina, Piazza IX Aprile, and Duomo di Taormina -- is a 10-minute drive away. The ancient Greco-Roman theater, the Teatro Antico di Taormina, also takes 10 minutes by car to reach. Driving to the Catania Fontanarossa Airport takes an hour. 

See More Location

Rooms

Classic rooms and suites with pastel furnishings, modern features, and sea views in some

Rooms are spacious and bright but a touch outdated with pastel yellow and blue furnishings, carpeting or wooden floors, rattan or beachwood furniture, and ornate light fixtures. However, the beautiful sea views available from some furnished balconies and terraces are a spectacular feature. Blue tiled bathrooms have hairdryers, bidets, showers, and/or shower/tub combos. Classic Rooms and Superior Rooms can add a third bed on request. Executive Rooms are the biggest option. Suites -- Executive, Junior, and Superior Junior -- have bathrobes and slippers, whirlpool tubs, living rooms, and views in some of Isola Bella island and Mount Etna. Executive Apartments are two double rooms with two bathrooms. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, electric kettles, walk-in closets, safes, and minibars. Wi-Fi is an additional fee. Four accessible rooms are available. 

See More Rooms

Features

Direct beach access, an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, gym, wellness center, restaurants and bars, and conference space

The hotel’s private beach feels like a hidden treasure with a cave -- illuminated by floor lights -- that leads to a cove, where there are white umbrellas, chairs, and towels. The beach can also be reserved for parties. At the cliff’s edge there is a gorgeous outdoor infinity pool and a nearby 14-person hot tub. The small fitness center is equipped with weight and cardio machines, a punching bag, and free weights. There isn’t a spa here, but a wellness center offers beauty treatments and access to a sauna for a fee.  

The classically decorated restaurants and bars offer stunning sea views from inviting outdoor terraces. The Cliff Restaurant has a terrace with optional candlelit dinners. Restaurant Alcantara provides an American breakfast buffet and terrace seating. Sicilian fare is offered at the Restaurant Naxos that has floor-to-ceiling windows with sea views. There’s also a beach bar, poolside bar, and a rooftop terrace at the Bar Svevo, which has live music.

Also on-site are two foyers and five meeting rooms that can accommodate between 10 to 450 people. There's a fee to access Wi-Fi throughout. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.