Hotel Bristol Park

An introduction to Hotel Bristol Park

This hotel couldn't be in a better position if it tried. In fact, it's bagged arguably the best spot in Taormina. Fringed with trademark cypress trees, it's built flush against a cliff, looking out across terracotta rooftops and the deep turquoise of the Ionian Sea. The rugged coastline snakes off into the distance, drawing your eye to one of Sicily's star turns – Mount Etna. And the view from the breakfast room window is the kind of picture you gaze longingly at in a travel agent's window.

It's only a couple of minutes walk from the centre of town, passing the Florence Trevelyan gardens along the way. And you don't need us to tell you that you'll tripping over trattorias left, right and centre. For a cultural fix, meanwhile, Taormina's famous Greek theatre is close by too, as are the old hillside catacombs. And if you fancy a day at the beach, the cable car's within easy striking distance.

The hotel is grand in the 'Room With A View' sense – slightly faded with an olde-worlde feel to it. It's not luxurious in the modern way, making little concession to today's love affair with boutique chic. So forget minimalism. What you get here are sweeping ballrooms, mismatched period furniture and a splash of 70's kitsch thrown in for good measure. Walking through the corridors is a bit like a tour of the BBC props department with old chandeliers and chaises longues peppering your path. Outside, meanwhile, plant pots share space with sunbeds and a decent-sized pool.

If you're used to slick American-style service, you'll get a break from the norm here. It's much more old style Sicilian – no frills and slightly officious. But that's all part of the charm. The Bristol Park may not be your textbook hotel but its eccentricity will wheedle its way into your affections. And if that doesn't do the trick, the stellar views certainly will.

Find the cheapest late deals to Hotel Bristol Park leaving in the next six weeks.

Hotel Bristol Park reviews - what customers thought

Thomson Web Reviews

Based on 11 reviews

What to expect

Room comfort
Location
Food
Cleanliness

Latest Thomson Reviews

Written on 01/08/2006, Anonymous said...

We spent a week at the Bristol Park Hotel and were really impressed. The hotel is ideally located and is pretty central in Taormina - a short walk from the main Corso Umberto and close to loads of restaurants. The room we had in the hotel was simply... more on this review

Giving it an overall rating out of 5:

Read 11 reviews