The Eurostars Monte Tauro is a beacon of excellence for brutalist architecture strongly and creatively favouring concrete matching the rocky cliff it is carved into. A socialist twist to the Yugo brutalist architecture; Your balcony offers no privacy. You may be forced to converse with your fellow proletarians! Unroll your patio awning to avoid bird poop. Doves abound. All rooms offer a spectacular ocean view.
May and June compounded with the many school trips in progress in May and cruise ships make for crowded streets to the extent they can be oppressive. The occasional helicopter tours overhead are an annoyance.
Rates in peak season start at 263 Euros.
Numerous restaurants are all within walking distance. Osteria Rita is very hot with lineups preventing my attendance. The food looks fabulous and reasonably priced.
The minimalist hotel lobby is at street level on the hotel’s eighth floor. You board a glass walled elevator, with a spectacular view of the ocean, down to your room. Unfortunately, there is only one elevator with capacity for 6 guests (uncomfortably) so there can be a frustrating wait.
Superb location proximate to the main streets and adjacent to the spectacular lush and manicured Parco di Duca Cesaro.
All rooms, and the park mentioned above, have a view of the Ionian Sea and the Bay of Naxos. The balcony is an ideal location to sit and watch a sunset over the Ionian Sea with a glass of Etna Bianco or Rosso if you prefer.
Close to many locations you can take a private car service, taxi, tourist bus or local bus to such villages as Castelmora perched in the cliffs above Taormina with a stunning view of the Ionian Sea or the mountain town of Savoca (where some of “The Godfather 1” was filmed) with its churches and views of the forest and ocean below. I found the services of Taormina Car Service the most convenient way of tripping about and to the airport. If driver Alessandro is typical of its drivers, you will be in fine hands.
Southern Sicily is home to the small winding road and you have a bit of a climb from oceanfront Taormina to the hotel and its very narrow streets require precise driving ability.
Standard rooms are small.
Breakfasts are excellent particularly with a variety of croissants Sicilians are fond of. And even bacon and eggs for the Americans tourists, the majority in Taormina. Brits are in the number two position. An evening dinner was disastrous with my off-smelling fish I refused to eat and a poor attempt at an indescribable French pastry. A small bar is on the 7th floor.
The ageing bathroom was a bit treacherous with a small shower area and slippery floors when wet. Exercise caution!
Housekeeping maintained the room in pristine condition.
RKS Hotel Rating 83/100.
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