Ariston Hotel

This was the trip of a lifetime! Sicily is to die for. We took our 2 college aged kids and they had the time of their lives, met locals from Taormina, went out with other youth at the Hotel Ariston. Very safe. The food at the Hotel Ariston was fabulous for buffet, maybe a little predicatable after a few days, but delightful and authentically Sicilian. The staff was accomodating and patient with us, as we spoke no Italian, and helped us thru any problems we had. The maids kept behind us, the rooms were immaculate. We had a view that was pure heaven, a view over a monastery to the Ionian Sea. On a clear day you could see the mainland of Italy. The hotel itself was gorgeous. The flora absolutely beautiful. The decor inspiring. Can't wait to go back.

We went to Taormina for 12 nights in Oct 04 for our honeymoon and stayed at this hotel. It was perfect for us. I would recommend it to anyone that wants a quality hotel to stay in as a base to explore. Do not expect ultimate luxury (you'd expect to pay more anyway) but it is an excellent hotel. Our fave bits were it's position and the friendly bar which were above our expectations. Good points: - Very clean - Well presented - Room very comforatable - Room well equipped (t.v, kettle, fridge, hairdryer, air conditioning) - Good atmosphere in the bar - Friendly and attentive staff (particularly in bar) - Excellent position (close to town and cable car to beach as well as being right next to bus station) - Fair price - Nice pool area - Internet access - Lifts in hotel and to access pool/entrance Bad points: - Balcony too small for table and 2 chairs - Restaraunt could be improved Tips: - request when booking not to be placed in the Annex (Astoria II) - if you want a view pay extra for it our room was one of the 'rock facing' ones but we did not see this as a problem as we knew the hotel was built on the side of the mountain - don't stay full or half board we paid for bed and breakfast and were glad we did, the food wasn't stunning. The restaraunts and snack bars in town were great and a meal for 2 could be found for approx 30 euros inc. drinks. You will get more out of your stay if you eat out too - definitely visit Mamma Rosas! But be careful some places rip you off by not including veg or anything with your main and charging you a lot to get it: e.g you ask for steak and just get a bit of steak on an otherwise empty plate - we ended up paying double or triple what we would for a meal elsewhere. We were also able to buy food at the supermarket and eat in our room on occasion. - not really suited to people with young families as there isn't anything happening for children - you may also struggle slightly if you are less able, but that applies to the whole of Taormina (we were pleased that there was a lift up to the hotel after a long day exploring).

Stayed from 11/13 - 11/20. Front desk staff unfriendly and unhelpful. Placed in annex, Ariston II. Impossible walk up/down the hill if any health problems. Room musty, peeling paint, and bad odor in bathroom. They would not entertain a room change. Same answer every time asked" no room" even though tours come and go daily. Couldn't change a 50 euro note. Had to be asked twice to call a restuarant for a reservation. Dining is all buffet. Lines for every food station. Coffee from a vending machine. Would never recommend regardless of price!

Spent one week in Sept. 2004. The food in the self service restaurant was just that, food, not really a meal. Use the terrace restaurant in the evening and see what they really can do. The location is very good with a short walk to the lively town full of small bars and good value restaurants. I would not use this hotel again.

The Hotel Ariston was wonderful. The food was first class and the staff were excellent. Room very clean, beds changed often. Pool area very nice BUT shallow end of pool was 2.4metres. No good for an unconfident swimmer like me!!!! Did have a small childs paddling pool but no good for adults. Got the room we asked for with balcony. People in rooms at back of hotel had a rock face view!!!!

This is a real find,we spent 7 nights there in August. The staff were always polite and helpful even tolerating our slowly improving Italian!! The only downside is the reception staff who were particularly unhelpful and obstructive. Despite this we would go back but make sure all arrangements are confirmed in writing before arriving so that contact with front of house is kept to a minimum The setting is absolutely magical and the town of Taormina is bustling but not over touristy!! Food in the hotel is of a high standard and a different regional theme is used each evening making for a good opportunity to learn a bit about Italian cuisine

Restaurant is all self-service and dirty plates are not cleared away quickly, especially at breakfast. The breakfast buffet was good but we didn't appreciate having to queue at a coffee machine. We paid extra for a seaview and balcony but the balcony was a joke and furnished with a small table and two dirty chairs. The only chair in the room had a leg missing and the lavatory seat was not screwed on properly - both these things were reported but not mended. The pool and terraced gardens were beautiful and well kept but the pool had no shallow end and no handrail by the steps. Many of the staff, especially at reception, were unhelpful and surly.

The Ariston is a well presented hotel in an ideal location for the town of Taormina (only a short walk) and is directly near the bus terminus from where trips can be taken to all the main attractions including Etna. (These are also cheaper than the tour operators.)The rooms are of adequate size and the bathrooms are clean, however I don't think they own a vacuum. The same toenail sat on the carpet from a previous occupant for the whole week we were there. We paid for a seaview and were glad we did, the view is spectacular, although a mouse could just about sunbathe on our balcony it was that small. The food is adequate but often cold so get down to first sitting and join in the scramble for the food - no waiting at tables only buffet service. As others have said the pool is well laid out and the gardens are lovely but the pool is very deep, not really safe for children or weak swimmers. Some very nice touches with the provision of wine in the room (though no glasses) and afternoon tea and biscuits, courtesy water in reception and sunbed mattresses and towels provided free of charge. Don't change money at reception use the bank a few yards up the road. One reception staff very rude and unhelpfull with a problem I had with this, the bank sorted it without any problem. Overall a good hotel I would use again.

I quite simply couldn't find fault with this hotel. The food was excellent and there were a great variety of choices of meals every day. Something to suit even the most difficult palate. The staff were simply fantastic and went out of their way to help everybody in every way possible. I would pay extra compliments to the Manager and Staff of the restaurant who were most pleasant and helpful. The hotel has a lovely swimming pool with a large area for relaxation. It also has various verandahs with loungers if you preferred to relax away from the pool area. I could say a lot more in favour of this hotel but it would take too long. My advice is go along and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed. The hotel itself is ideally situated, with the bus stop on its doorstep from where you could travel all over Sicily. There were also very good excursions to be had from this bus stop to all the places of interest. You also had the most beautiful City Garden I have ever seen, so well set out with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers and also very interesting buildings, with seats placed at strategically shaded areas where you could spend hours of relaxation, with magnificent views over the Mediteranean and the Ionian Sea. I would definitely recommend this holiday unreservedly.

The hotel was very clean and comfortable, and whilst we had a room overlooking the wall this did not spoil our holiday. Our room was large as we required additional space for our baby. The hotel provided a cot, but the high chairs in dining room we not acceptable as they had no way of securing the baby. Most of the staff were cordial and polite . I would recommend that if you are thinking of spending a great deal of time in the room you do request a seaview as a great many guests were trying to upgrade upon arrival only to find all the rooms full. We stayed at the hotel as our friends were getting married in the resort but would not advise families with babies to stay as there are too many steps and hard to manoever buggies etc. The pool is much larger than shown in the photo but is not suitable for children.