Accommodation is divided over a main house and two separate guest suites in the grounds. The property has been carefully and beautifully renovated to an extremely high standard. Furnishings are at once refined and cozy, flooring is an eclectic blend of wonderful grey-tone patterned tiles, polished concrete and black brick, bathrooms are fabulous, the kitchen has been designed to inspire gourmet culinary experiments, and light fittings throughout are elegant and atmospheric.
The front door of the main house opens into a spacious, bright living room, whose lofty vaulted ceilings and French doors leading out onto the main terrace, create a light and airy ambience. An opening at one end allows the space to flow into the dining room, which has especially convivial vibe, mainly due to the lovely designer fireplace, on each side of which glass doors open into the kitchen. This space is a dream for both eager amateur cooks and seasoned professional chefs. A stainless steel central island features an impressive choice of gas burners and grills, all surmounted by a sculptural hood. One wall offers a range of stainless steel appliances, including fridges, a wine chiller, and ovens. There's plenty of workspace and, like the living and dining rooms, easy access via French windows to the main terrace and al fresco dining at the front of the house. Back to the living room, there is a door leading to a cloakroom, a guest WC and on to a series of utility and store rooms.
Another opening in the living room leads into a hallway and the stairs up to the first level where you will find 5 similar-sized bedrooms joined together by a long landing and a lounge area. The first is a double-aspect double-twin bedroom (160/80 × 200) with its own antechamber and an en-suite bathroom with separate tub and shower. The second is a double-twin (160/80 × 200) with an en-suite shower room. The third, a double (160 × 200), offers an adjacent shower room with lovely sea views. The fourth is a double-aspect double (160 × 200) with en-suite bathroom with an elegant tub. The fifth is a double (160 × 200) with en-suite shower room and French windows opening onto a wide terrace (also accessed from the first level lounge and the gardens). All bedrooms in the main house boast amazing sea views and French windows opening onto small balconies.
The two independent guest suites are located up a few steps to one side of the main house. One is a double bedroom (160 × 200) with a sofa bed, meaning that it could also be used as a twin. The other is a double-twin bedroom (160/80 × 200 см). Both benefit from en-suite shower rooms, a living area and a kitchenette.
All the ground level rooms open out onto a charming shaded terrace, furnished with sofas, armchairs, built-in daybeds and a long dining table. Beyond this area is the stunning heated pool (13.5 × 3.5), the gardens, a boules pitch, and a massive old brick wall with two recesses that were once lime kilns - a reminding about the property's long history.
From the outdoor living area, a path leads round the house to a flight of steps, at the top of which is a panoramic upper level terrace, also accessed from one of the bedrooms and the first level lounge. Finally, just above this terrace is a little corner of garden dominated by a mature shady pine tree.
The villa is nestled by the sea below the ancient, celebrated and ideally located town of Taormina. The historic centre, with its world known Graeco-Roman theatre, its labyrinth of lovely streets, its panoramic piazze, its boutiques, its Michelin-starred restaurants and its luxury bars, is just a few minutes' drive away (or, alternatively, a 20-minute walk uphill, mainly up steps and along roads without pavements. Taxis are readily available and there is a frequent bus service up to Taormina that stops near the villa).
Isola Bella, one of Sicily's most famous bays, with its shingle beach and its seaside bars and restaurants, is also walkable (about 1km away), though again there are some sections of road without pavements. The villa guests are also offered privileged, reduced-rate access, including a return transfer to the exclusive lido of the 5* hotel on the beach at Mazzarò where you will find a couple of restaurants and one mini-market easily reachable on foot.
Sicily's Ionian Riviera has much to offer besides Taormina, however, including the main attraction of Mount Etna and the villages and towns that cover its flanks. Guests staying at the villa are also within easy day trip range of Catania (a Baroque lava-stone city with lively streets markets and much more), ancient Syracuse, once the mightiest city in Magna Graecia, and the UNESCO World Heritage towns of Noto, Modica, Ragusa and Scicli.
