The List

San Domenico Palace
San Domenico Palace
San Domenico Palace

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San Domenico Palace

Taormina

The timeless grandeur of San Domenico Palace

What's the story? Perched dramatically on a clifftop above the shimmering Ionian Sea, San Domenico Palace, occupies the storied grounds of a 14th-century Dominican convent founded in 1374. The convent was transformed into a hotel in the late 19th century, with the addition of the elegant Liberty-style Grand Hotel wing in 1896 and was meticulously restored in 2021 as a Four Seasons hotel.

As seen on screen: You might find the hotel familiar, that's because it took the starring role as the setting for Season Two of The White Lotus.

A taste of history: Across its 111 rooms and suites, centuries of history are woven into the guest experience, where ancient cloisters and frescoed corridors sit alongside sweeping terraces overlooking Mount Etna and the Ionian coastline. Many of the former monks' cells retain traces of their past, offering some of the hotel's most atmospheric accommodations. For a particularly memorable stay, choose a room in the Ancient Convent wing or a sea-view suite with a private terrace facing Mount Etna.

Plan your day: Mornings begin with breakfast overlooking the breathtaking coastline before exploring Taormina's medieval streets, the ancient Greek Theatre, or the vineyards and hilltop villages of eastern Sicily. Afternoons are spent beside the clifftop infinity pool or unwinding in the tranquil Botanica Spa, before sunset aperitivo, exceptional Sicilian wines on panoramic terraces, and dining experiences that celebrate the island's extraordinary produce.

Tell me more about the food: Dining at San Domenico Palace centres on Principe Cerami, the hotel's one-Michelin-starred restaurant led by executive chef Massimo Mantarro. The restaurant serves refined Sicilian cuisine complemented by a wine cellar featuring more than 1000 labels. Guests can also dine poolside at Anciovi, where Mediterranean seafood takes centre stage, or at Rosso, which celebrates culinary traditions from northern to southern Italy. 

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