This Hotel on One of Sicily’s Best Beaches Has Newly Renovated Plunge Pool Suites—and Michelin Guide Dining

“It’s an unforgettable arrival,” Marilena Calabrò, hotel manager at Mazzarò Sea Palace, said with a smile, catching me staring out at the perfect blue bay from the lobby.

The beautiful beaches, rich history, and generous people of Taormina, Sicily, stole my heart years before the town’s White Lotus fame, and I’ve been returning almost annually ever since. But while I’d long heard about the Sea Palace, this was my first time checking in.

It was nearing the end of the 2024 season, and Calabrò was busy preparing the property for a renovation, which just debuted in March 2025. Still, she slowed down and took her time to show me all the ways in which the seafront property, revered for its relaxed approach to luxury, embodies what she affectionately referred to as the “Sicilian spirit.”

A first-time visitor might think they see Sicilian spirit in the turquoise Moorish heads and ceramic sea creatures dotting the lounge and outdoor bar, or in the rounded cacti and stone walls lining the plunge-pool balconies. They wouldn’t be incorrect, but the Sicilian spirit is much more than that. To me, it’s a feeling you get when you are warmly welcomed into a place by people who love their home and genuinely want to share it with you.

For me and my now-husband, the day we checked in represented the calm before the storm in every sense of the phrase. We left all of our relatives up in the center of Taormina, a few miles away. The sun was shining, the bay of Mazzarò was glistening, our lounge chairs were waiting for us in the sand, and cocktails were flowing. The next morning, we’d wake up on the day of our civil wedding to the type of torrential rain Taormina rarely sees; the kind that halts traffic and causes rivers to run down the dramatic hillside.

But down at sea level, wrapped in the comforting cocoon of Mazzarò Sea Palace, we didn’t really mind. I took my time enjoying a pistachio granita and brioche from the breakfast buffet, because I believe no day can go wrong when you’ve had ice cream for breakfast. Sure enough, the rain stopped just in time for our little ceremony in town. We were able to fold away the white umbrellas that had been kindly loaned to us at the hotel and spend the rest of the day strolling Taormina’s charming main drag, Corso Umberto, soaking in streams of well wishes from strangers passing by. Surely it was that Sicilian spirit working in our favor once again.

Here, my review of VRetreats’ Mazzarò Sea Palace.

The Rooms

After undergoing renovations between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Mazzarò Sea Palace has a total of 68 rooms, including six suites. Every key comes with a sea view, and every suite comes with a private plunge pool.

The team at Milan-based architecture and design studio De.Tales made the rooms lighter and noticeably more contemporary than before, without erasing the Mediterranean design influences that lend it its signature Sicilian charm.

We stayed in a deluxe room with sea view and found it to be the perfect mix of cozy and modern, with gently arched ceilings, a marble bathroom with a spa shower, and a marble balcony with two lounge chairs pointed toward the coast. Playful touches like the ceramic octopus guarding our Nespresso machine made it feel like home.

Food and Drink

Like the island it sits on, Mazzarò Sea Palace is a destination for gastronomes, with two restaurants by young, experimental Sicilian chef Riccardo Fazio. At the fine dining concept Blum, recognized in the 2025 Michelin Guide, he uses rare local ingredients, like Tuma Persa cheese, almost a lost Sicilian art, and blends unexpected flavors within traditional Italian dishes like ravioli. Though there are only 12 seatings per night, the ambiance is relaxed and intimate, not pretentious.

The seafront terrace is the initial attraction for many at Armònia, but Fazio doesn’t sit back and rely on the view. The menu here is more traditional, with fresh crudos, seafood pastas and risotto, raviolo alla norma (the famous Sicilian dish with eggplant), octopus in a marsala sauce, and lasagna bolognese. Still, you’ll spot Fazio’s inventive touches throughout. Finally, at Almarè Bar, sip volcanic wines from the neighboring Etna region and taste cocktails made with seasonal, locally grown fruits, herbs, and spirits.

Activities and Experiences

A sunny afternoon in Taormina is best spent lounging or paddle boarding on the calm Bay of Mazzarò, and the hotel offers direct access. Of course, both kids and adults also enjoy the panoramic pool, on a wooden deck above the beach. Between the modern gym, spa, and wellness center, it’s easy to turn your stay into a health retreat, until aperitivo time, at least.

A dedicated concierge team makes booking excursions nearby and across Sicily’s east coast easy, from boat rides and scenic treks to history tours and ceramics classes. Families and couples also love the cooking classes offered on-site.

The Spa

The Hyd’Or Spa offers tailored treatments, from facials to massages to lymphatic drainage, and prioritizes using aromatic, locally sourced ingredients, like fresh citrus. I visited for a manicure and pedicure and found attentive, personalized service in a serene setting.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The hotel encompasses four floors that are accessible via two elevators. Armonia restaurant and Almarè Bar are both on the ground floor. All rooms except for two have walk-in showers. VRetreats prides itself on its commitment to sustainable tourism and practices the Gabbiani Verdi protocol, which follows 17 sustainability goals set by the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Location

Located on the Bay of Mazzarò, less than three miles from the hilltop historic center of Taormina, the hotel offers direct beach access and a quiet atmosphere by nightfall. The best way to get into Taormina proper is via a scenic cable car (called the funivia), which runs every 15 minutes and is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Tickets are €10 round-trip. Taxis are also easy to come by and take about 15 minutes to drive into town. The nearest airport is Catania–Fontanarossa, about an hour’s drive away.

Nightly rates at Mazzarò Sea Palace start from €900 per night.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.