Hotel Villa Sonia

The views and Location.

Old and funky dingy bathroom. Overpriced in my opinion.

Nettes Hotel

Unser Bad( fensterlos) hat eklig nach Abwasser gerochen. Sehr alte Ausstattung…. Sehr unangenehm

The older style decorating, fabulous views, magnificent breakfast and nice pool.

The Pillows- too soft.

Great hotel great staff great pool - nice old charm hotel

Rustige ligging, redelijk centraal, goede faciliteiten

Het was goed, vriendelijk, behulpzaam personeel

Na Booking.com bylo anoncováno s balkonem. Dostali jsme jen okno do silnice :-(

The location is superb with views to Etna. Pool area was nice and quiet.

Fantastiskt läge med vidunderlig utsikt. Rustik italiensk stil, härlig pool och restaurang. Trevlig personal och fantastisk frukost.

NA

Tout

Das Hotel hat eine super Lage, wir hatten eine tolle Sicht auf den Ätna aus unserem Zimmer mit Terasse. Das Personal ist sehr freundlich und bemüht den Gästen den Aufenthalt so schön wie möglich zu machen.

Im Poolbereich waren leider auch Haustiere (Hunde) anwesend, was wir nicht so gut fanden, insbesondere da Haustiere lt Hausordnung nicht erlaubt sind.

המיקום מדהים.

חסכו בשמפו. כל םעם שביקשנו שמפו, עשו לנו פרצופים..

Bella struttura, vista eccezionale, la camera di dimensioni giuste e pulita, il bagno giusto ma la doccia davvero piccola, arredamento vintage seppur non rovinato. Per zona Taormina un gran rapporto qualità prezzo, buona la colazione in terrazza panoramica.

Arredamento da ammordenare, ma soprattutto da rivedere le dimensioni della doccia.

Очень инстаграмный отель с величественными видами. Рядом замечательная горная коммуна, паркинг в 2х минутах ходьбы от отеля . Ресторан примыкающий к отелю с лучшей пиццей что мы пробовали на Сицилии

Запах в отеле и комнатах . Я предупредила, что ребенок с аллергией на молоко, но на завтрак отель приготовил ему только сухое печенье, которое 2 х летка даже грызть не смог. Приходилось искать еду в ресторанах Таормины каждое утро

What a fantastic place this is!! First of all the wonderful staff, and of course the location. From our balcony we watched Mount Etna erupt. So special! The pool, the bar and the rooms are all great! The restaurant is highly recommended too. Thanks for everything!

Le personnel très agréable et aimable, l'emplacement, la vue époustouflante, les équipements

Rien

Großes Zimmer, freundliches Personal, schöne Aussicht, ruhige Lage.

Unsere Zimmertür konnte nur zugezogen werden. Wir konnten sie nicht abschließen. Der Tresor war kaputt. Wir hatten keine Möglichkeit, unsere Wertsachen sicher zu verstauen.

Emplacement sur le haut de la colline avec sa vue panoramique incroyable !!! Piscine terrasse pour le repas et petit déjeuner super Chambre très calme

Un peu dommage la qualité de prestation pour des boissons à la piscine (spritz dans gobelet en plastique !) sans accompagnement

Top location, breathtaking view overlooking Etna. Spend a few pennies more to book a room with a view. You just might see Etna erupt, as we did. Staff is so very nice and helpful, especially the reception and young fella working as a waiter, always with a smile. Pool is also very nice, and clean.

Bathrooms are a bit outdated and the "salty part" of the breakfast might be a bit more diverse.

Jaukus ir šarmingas viešbutis aukštai ant kalno su puikiu atsiveriančiu peizažu į Etną. Pusryčiai pakankami, buvo net ir šilto maisto. Interjeras labai įdomus. Baseinas vėsinantis ir švarus. Prieš viešbutį yra autobusų sustojimo stotelė, labai patogu viešuoju transportu pasiekti Taorminos centrą.

Nepatiko tai, kad labai gerai girdi svetimus garsus. Vanduo bėga kažkur kitam kambaryje, atrodo, kad ant galvos pasipils. Kondicionierius ypatingai triukšmingas. Praeinančių koridoriumi svečių kalbas vėl gi labai gerai girdi. Prieš viešbutį yra kavinė, kur atvažiuoja vakarieniauti vietiniai, Iš ten taip pat eina triukšmas tiek muzikos, tiek žmonių kalbų, kurios tikrai garsios.

Vista Etna,la ragazza alla reception molto cortese ed educata.

I prezzi un po' elevati

muy bueno el desayuno! una vista espectacular al volcan Etna, un páraiso. Muy tranquilo. La comida de la noche muy buena, LA TAGLIATA un lujo! el estilo del hotel es muy sofisticado

deberian tener mas opciones de comida para el mediodia- mejorar la ducha del baño- el shuttle deberia llegar hasta la estacion del tren, o tener otro punto de encuentro

Basen, czystość, lokalizacja, miły personel, ogólne wrażenia, super balkon, gniazda ładowania telefonów, fajne kolacje, przyzwoite śniadanie ale powtarzalne

Śmierdziało z rur kanalizacyjnch w łazience chociaż sama łazienka była czysta, mała kabina prysznicowa i słabe ciśnienie wody, przestarzałe meble i ubrania przechodziły smrodem starych meblo, śniadania powtarzalne

Tutto perfetto: una posizione eccellente a pochi passi dal borgo di Castelmola, con una vista spettacolare sull’Etna che cambia ogni giorno e ogni sera. Un cielo stellato ogni sera dal proprio balconcino o terrazzino, cibo ottimo, camere ampie e comode, utilissimo il locale stireria e biblioteca accessibile sempre. Abbiamo scelto questa struttura per avere una posizione di appoggio per due giorni in modo da essere strategicamente tra Taormina e Piano Provenzana, ma alla fine abbiamo prolungato il soggiorno perché ci siamo innamorati di questo luogo.

Nulla da segnalare, tutto perfetto!

Had a fabulous stay recently at Villa Sonia - the decor is quintessentially Sicilian...so pretty! We had a room with view of Etna and a large balcony. Room cleaned very day and daily fresh towels. No issue with the sunbeds and infact one of the days, the team put out more beds to accommodate guests. Very chilled vibe and it was a super relaxing stay. Hotel staff arr amazing and we were particularly grateful as we had to extend our stay due to the volcano eruption. They were amazing! Pizzas in the restaurant are fab! Lovely local wine and an all-round fabulous stay. There is a shuttle service to Taormina twice a day - bus stop for local public transport just across the street. Avoid taxi's - they are so expensive

Le personnel

Hôtel très vieillissant, piscine et aménagement piscine en mauvais état. Petit déjeuner de mauvaise qualité, le pire que nous ayons eu en Sicile

This was our 3rd time staying here , we always take friends here if they're visiting for the 1st time . We love the location , away from hectic Taormina , relaxing and a short hill walk to Castlemola town , then we walk across from the hotel and get the bus down to Taormina (5 mins)so we get the best of both , relaxing and hectic. It's a rustic hotel which I love and we have been lucky 3 times to get a room with a view of Mt Etna. There is also free parking

De locatie

Udsigten, god restaurant på hotellet og behageligt personale

Dele af hotellet var lidt slidt

La vista, la location,

Bello ma un po' datato

Amazing views of Etna, we were there when there was an eruption too which was nice to see. Very kind and helpful staff, in the reception, pool bar and at the restaurant. Very quiet surroundings, perfect to relax. Short walk up to Castelmola with amazing views and nice restaurants. Good pizza in the restaurant. Nice with free shuttle to Taormina and back

Maybe the walls were a little thin because sometimes we could hear the other guests outside our room very clearly. But easily solved with earplugs

Great location with a beautiful view. Pool facilities are fantastic. Lovely short walk up to castelmola. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Small shower.

Pool but closes at 6 pm view from window that’s all otherwise nothing

No jacuzzi nonsauna massage table Is old all musty smell. Overcharged me and parking horrible in th back lower level far from the center charged for breakfast buffet sub par no where to eat if arrive at 3:05 pm closed no exceptions

Panorama, tranquillità, cibo, piscina

Aria condizionata molto rumorosa, bagno poco curato

I don’t know where to start! What a fabulous week at the Hotel Villa Sonia. We came here because my sister had been the year before and loved it. This place did not disappoint - the views of Etna were stunning. The pool area lovely and enough beds and umbrellas for all. Fab lazy lunches at the pool bar. The best pizzas! Beautiful big bedroom and terrace (room 307 - we paid a small upgrade fee with EasyJet Holidays). All the staff were friendly and just made it a very special place. Not posh but full of character & I would highly recommend. We much preferred Castelmola to Taormina as a base. Buses perfect & hotel courtesy bus available too. Breakfasts were wonderful & sitting out on the terrace admiring the views was a perfect way to start the day (when my sister was there they couldn’t eat out at breakfast because of the wasps but thankfully not an issue for us all week). We asked for a kettle which they brought up with cups. The hotel booked our Godfather trip (with Etnapeople) which was wonderful, picked up from the hotel, Ricardo our guide was brilliant and so knowledgeable. Ironing room there and a fabulous library of books!!! Wifi/internet perfect. Short walk into the centre. Tried 4 of the local restaurants which were all excellent and a lovely little bar with very friendly staff for a daily aperitif /night cap - delicious almond wine spritzer / beer/ Sicilian wine. Quieter and calmer and cooler on an evening than Taormina which we preferred (but still nice to do both). Didn’t know about the beach club which I wish we’d been told about - just saw on a previous review. Did do a boat trip which we sorted in town from Giardini Naxos - a couple of hours/swim. A lovely mix of people at the hotel - all nationalities. Small and friendly. Absolutely not a place you would go with kids wanting clubs/ pool games /noise etc. More adult only but saying that the young teens that were there were exceptional polite and respectful as was the one delightful smiley baby with an American couple. Feel very lucky to have watched an Etna eruption which was fascinating to see (30.7.26). Shame about the ridiculous hype in the UK media - eruptions happen all the time and the Sicilians live with it & love it. Don’t let it put you off holidaying here. Sicily is a magical place.

Overall we liked everything, the breakfast was very good, and the pool too, the rooms are a bit old, especially the shower. But overall it was good and we enjoyed it.

Two things: (1) It is not appropriate to charge coperto for ordering a pizza by the pool, especially when it comes to someone staying at the hotel; (2) On the last night we asked to have dinner at the hotel restaurant, although the price was higher than the restaurants near the hotel, the food was terrible, it was clear that the person who prepared the food is not a chef and has no idea how to prepare food, probably the person who prepared the food is a casual worker. From what I understand, this is not a restaurant that works regularly, but only when there is a reservation in advance, which explains why the salad was not fresh, the Caesar salad was not fresh, the bread cubes were spongy, the salad was full of sauce and my daughter could not eat it, and the fillet was inedible.

Veldig koselig og vakkert sted. Utrolig hyggelig personale. Fantastisk utsikt. God mat. God service. Fine rom.

Ingenting

De locatie is echt schitterend! Vanuit de kamer, maar ook vanuit het zwembad, het terras en het restaurant heb je een prachtig uitzicht over de bergen en de Etna! Het is een verademing om hier na een drukke dag Taormina aan te komen. Fijn restaurantje met voldoende vegetarische opties en een heerlijk ontbijt. De mensen die er werken zijn super gastvrij en vriendelijk, zoals Maria en Salvatore!

Er zaten opvallend veel haren in het zwembad. Dat verraste ons, omdat de rest ontzettend schoon en hygiënisch is.

We stayed at Hotel Sonia for one week and absolutely loved it. It’s a traditional, quirky hotel with all the facilities you need for a comfortable stay. Breakfast is simple but plentiful, and additional items can be ordered if required. You can also get lunch at the pool bar, which we did several times – the pinza and poke bowls were particularly good. We ate dinner in the restaurant twice and enjoyed both the fantastic views and excellent wine selection. There are cover charges at both the pool bar and restaurant, but this is very typical in Italy. Prices are slightly higher than some other options in the area, but we were happy to pay them given the quality of the food, service and views. The pool area is excellent, and there were always plenty of sunbeds available (although it would be nice if some guests didn't reserve them with towels for hours without using them!). There is a free shuttle service to Taormina, which we used, but it's also very easy to use the public bus. At only €1.90 each way, it is frequent, reliable and straightforward. The hotel also has a partnership with a beach club, which offered excellent value at €19 for the day, including return shuttle transport, sunbeds and an umbrella. We really enjoyed this option. The staff were fantastic throughout our stay. The reception team were extremely helpful, the restaurant and bar staff were friendly and attentive, and the housekeeping team did a great job keeping everything spotless. Service in the restaurant could occasionally be a little slow, but when you're on holiday there's no need to rush – just sit back and enjoy the experience. The village is only a five-minute walk away and offers a small selection of restaurants and bars. We found Google Maps useful for locating places and exploring the area. Taormina is also very accessible, with public buses running until quite late in the evening. The hotel has a very traditional feel, with antique furnishings and plenty of character. Our room was spacious, comfortable and clean, with an excellent view of Mount Etna. Overall, we had a wonderful stay and would happily return.

Fantastic views, great restaurant, excellent friendly service, loved the pool!

We really enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Villa Sonia. We had 5 nights there in July. We were excited to be given a room with a view of Etna and a lovely terrace. The pool area was very nice and the view amazing. We had lunch which was good, and it was nice having a pool bar. Castel mola has a few good restaurants, shops and cars and we also took the free hotel shuttle bus (runs at 10 am and 3.45 pm - book at reception) into Taormina twice. The breakfast was very good, and the staff were so helpful and friendly. This is a quirky hotel, an aspect we loved.

Great location right up at Castelmola

A little tired

Bardzo miła, uprzejma obsługa. Pokoje sprzątane codziennie i bardzo fajne miejsce przy basenie.

Śniadania niestety bardzo kiepskie, jajecznica nie do zjedzenia(zepsuta)Hotel nie należy do najtańszych a niestety to śniadanie bardzo zawiodło a to najważniejszy posiłek dnia. Dwie wędliny i dwa rodzaje sera do wyboru a nie wszystko wyglądało świeżo i apetycznie.

Läget, pool området och terassen.

Ganska dålig air con på rummet.

The hotel did not meet the expectations of a 4‑star property. Breakfast was repetitive and low quality, with the same scrambled eggs, sausage, and cold cuts every day, and the coffee was poor. The room did not have a coffee machine, so I had to wait until 7:30 each morning to get coffee. The air conditioning did not work properly, and I struggled to sleep every night because the room was too warm. The location was very noisy. The street is near a club, so weekends were loud with music, and weekdays were also noisy. The hotel is far from Taormina, and you must have a car. The shuttle only runs three times a day (10:00, 15:00, 16:00), so I often had to rent a car because the road is too steep to walk safely. The swimming pool was small, and the sunbeds were placed very close together.

I experienced inappropriate behavior from a staff member. After learning I was traveling alone, he asked me out; made personal comments; and even pointed to a beach, saying it was “for you and me.” On several nights he delayed giving me my room key, which felt harassing, and I began taking the key myself to avoid interacting with him. On multiple occasions, he stared at my chest, which made me extremely uncomfortable. I felt unsafe enough that I placed the bedside dresser behind the door at night because he was working the night shift. As a solo female traveler, I did not feel safe or comfortable at this hotel. I would not recommend it for young women.

Location fabulous and when they say an Etna view they really mean an amazing Etna view. It’s very quiet and not much to do on an evening but the bar literally up the hill towards castlemola which is called the bar lounge under the stars has comfy sofas, views and a very relaxed cafe del mar music theme. Rooms are large remember to ask for safe keys, kettle and pool towels at reception The fridge is a decent size for milk drinks and snacks. The chairs on the balcony are uncomfortable so use your beach towel if the chairs were comfy or a sofa I would rate the hotel as excellent but the balcony chairs and pool beds are not comfy. Apparently there is access to a private beach you need to ask at reception I walked to the beach but was very busy The walk down to Taormina is steep but achievable for a little bit takes about wouldn’t 35 mins and certainly works your legs you’ll feel it the next day. Go along steps all the way down meaning you don’t have to walk on the road Walking back up is for the fit The staff are very friendly and helpful Parking is €10 per day in a very small car park or the car park immediately across the road is €15 per day. But to Taormina is about €3.80 one way and runs every 30 mins or so depending on times but I would suggest that rather than driving Castlemola is a short walk very pretty with amazing views with a pharmacy and plenty of restaurants The steak at the hotel is fantastic Please but comfy seats on the balcony, padded cushions in the pool side loungers and more evening entertainment then this would be an all round brilliant hotel

Hyggeligt hotel.

Back for our second visit and was not disappointed. This hotel is family run & all of the staff go over & above to help with anything you need 🤩 When Etna erupted our flight was cancelled and the hotel immediately sent a taxi to collect us from the airport and as they knew this was stressful for my elderly parents they upgraded us all to their top rooms which are stunning and have views of Etna which you never tire of looking at! For a peaceful holiday with spectacular views, friendly staff & immaculate cleanliness this hotel provides it all - we will be back!

Everything the view of mount Etna the staff the food the peace

I’m a smoker could have a post meal doggie outdoors at my table - small niggle for mr

So to start with the view was amazing … the hotel was very controlled, you couldn’t use the bar in the hotel until 7pm. Lots of doors were locked up like the restaurant doors for example and you couldn’t sit on the terrace until after 7pm when the bar was open but I never saw bar staff actually standing to serve. They put 3 euros on per person for service at the pool snack bar and again if you sat on the sofa after your meal for a drink it was immediately charged at 3 euros on your bill person. There was no coffee or tea in the room no kettle and the rude grey haired man on reception told me to wait until my breakfast to get a coffee! Food was very average with mainly pizza and pasta nothing special and all puddings bought in not home made. Very much 3 star at most. Oh yes pool shuts at 6.30pm amd you’re literally told to pack up !

Great holiday, hotel was in a good location with amazing views of Etna. Good choice of restaurants and you can also go into Taormina there is a shuttle from the hotel or regular bus service outside the hotel.

Enjoyable stay in a “grand old” hotel. The furnishings and decor were ultra traditional, but the hotel leans into this well with quirky antiques throughout. The pool and adjoining deck and pool bar were very relaxing and spacious, and the terrace for dining was a massive plus. Our room had a great view over Mount Etna, which we enjoyed both nights (as it was erupting!). Staff routinely kind throughout our stay. Shuttle bus from Taormina passes twice per hour and plenty of space to eat or drink at the top to Castelmola – just steps away.

Catering was adequate and relatively expensive, but given the surroundings not inappropriately priced. Room a bit tired but, again, part of the “classic” hotel feel – aircon not very efficient, but honestly sufficient for the cooler mountain air.

Enjoyable stay in a “grand old” hotel. The furnishings and decor were ultra traditional, but the hotel leans into this well with quirky antiques throughout. The pool and adjoining deck and pool bar were very relaxing and spacious, and the terrace for dining was a massive plus. Our room had a great view over Mount Etna, which we enjoyed both nights (as it was erupting!). Staff routinely kind throughout our stay. Catering was adequate and relatively expensive, but given the surroundings not inappropriately priced. Room a bit tired but, again, part of the “classic” hotel feel - aircon not very efficient, but honestly sufficient for the cooler mountain air. Shuttle bus from Taormina passes twice per hour and plenty of space to eat or drink at the top to Castelmola - just steps away. I have a soft spot for these older hotels, when they are still correctly maintained, and this is certainly a great example. Would happily stay again.

Villa Sonia is a lovely traditional Italian hotel. The staff were extremely helpful n welcoming. The location is spectacular, looming over Taormina, n facing Mt Etna. Excellent breakfast. The free shuttle service to Taormina was great. Great pool n deck for relaxing.

Nothing really. The mattress was a little hard.

This is a quirky but charming hotel. The location is amazing high above Taormina with stunning views of Mount Etna. Castelmola itself is very picturesque and only a short, uphill, walk away. We were half-board and the dinners in the Parco Reale restaurant were excellent. The breakfast was ok but the cooked items were often poor. The fresh fruit however was excellent and plentiful. The hotel staff are all lovely and so hard working particularly Lucretia and Massimo who couldn’t do enough for us. The pool area is lovely with plentiful loungers and a very good pool bar/restaurant. We really enjoyed our two weeks here but there were a couple of things that could have been better. Our room (512) was a reasonable size with a lovely sunny balcony but it was totally lacking in any drawer space so after utilising the few available hangers in the wardrobe we had to leave everything else in suitcases ( not ideal for a two week stay). We requested a change of room but as the hotel was full this was not possible. In addition there was only one usb charging point in the room and the only available socket was in the bathroom. Overall though our experience was a very positive one and we will almost certainly return.

Location, facilities

View of Mt Etna at dawn from our hotel room.

Loud, silly wedding party.

Staff were excellent . Particularly Carmen. Beautiful location. Great pool

Rooms are dated. Lack of tea/coffee facilities . Each time we bought food we paid a cover charge

Everything was great: the location is amazing! We had an amazing view on Etna. Hotel provides the shuttle to Taormina and back, which resolves the question with transportation. Loved the tranquility of Castelmola on a contrast with buzzing Taormina. Staff was also very nice and helpful. Will definitely come back

I would say this hotel is more of a 3-star than a 4-star. Firstly, the staff are friendly, the views are beautiful, and although the hotel is situated quite high up in a village, it is in a lovely area with buses running every half hour down to Taormina. However, both the rooms and the hotel itself feel very dated. The bathrooms are old, the rugs appeared dirty, there are not enough plug sockets, and there is no kettle in the room. Guests also have to request both the safe key and lock, which feels inconvenient. While I understand the hotel is trying to maintain a traditional style, certain aspects really need updating to meet the standards expected of a 4-star hotel. The pool area was nice, but the sun loungers were very dirty and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the breakfast was also very poor and is not something I would recommend. Overall, I believe this hotel has great potential due to its location, views, and friendly staff, but it is in need of a significant refurbishment before it can truly be considered a 4-star hotel.

The serenity and beauty of the Villa Sonia, from the pool to the vistas of Mt. Etna, to the incredible staff, truly the epitome of world class hospitality.

Die phantastische Lage, sehr schönes Haus, sehr aufmerksame Personal

Die Lage ist unbeschreiblich-wir hatten ein Zimmer mit Bergblick - der Etna zum Greifen nah - und das Dorf wunderschön - Meer und Etna in Sicht🫶🫶.

Nichts

Staff was extremely nice and helpful. The view of the volcano and below (Taorima, etc) were fantastic. We also loved that several tours stopped at this property to pick you up. The food at the onsite restaurant was very good.

Can't think of anything. The road up to the resort on the mountain is a bit twisty.

A very traditional Italian hotel with lots of interesting artifacts around each corner. Loved our room with a spectacular view of Mt Etna.

Bardzo miły i pomocny personel, rewelacyjna lokalizacja ze wspaniałym widokiem na szeroką panoramę Etny zarówno z prywatnego balkonu jak również z restauracji, która serwuje bardzo smaczne dania, bardzo wygodne duże łóżko, duża łazienka, wygodny prywatny parking oraz możliwość rozładowania bagaży tuż przy wejściu do hotelu. Bardzo dziękujemy i mamy nadzieję, że tu wrócimy.

Nie dotyczy.

Location, views, staff

Bed could have been better

Tolle, ruhige Lage mit Blick auf den Ätna. Ausgezeichnetes Essen im eigenen Restaurant.

Schönes Zimmer, sehr gute Aussicht auf den Ätna, exzellentes Restaurant

Thank you for welcoming us to your beautiful Hotel. Your dedicated staff made our holiday so special ❤️ We shall definitely return.

Perfekte Lage mit herrlichen Blick auf den Etna, sehr gutes Frühstück, grosse Zimmer, in 5 min zu Fuß im Ort castelmola

Villa Sonia has an exceptional location with a spectacular view of the Etna and close to the picturesque town of Castelmola. The service was friendly and our suite was awesome. We enjoyed every second of our stay.

Everything was close to perfect

Vue superbe sur l'ETNA, grande chambre avec terras, piscine avec superbe vue. Située en dehors de Taormina (qui est surpeuplée)

la gentillesse du personnel : ils nous ont aidés pour trouver une belle excursion.

We absolutely loved this hotel! Everything was wonderful from start to finish. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming — truly amazing people who helped us with everything regarding our stay, excursions, and recommendations around the area. The rooms were perfectly clean, and the entire hotel was spotless. Not to mention the unforgettable view of Mount Etna — absolutely breathtaking. The food was simply outstanding, with top-level service in every aspect. They also have live music in the restaurant with talented musicians and singers, which creates a fantastic atmosphere. The food was delicious, and the whole experience was exceptional.

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What a quirky hotel! Fantastic view from our room over Mount Etna! Very comfortable stay. Staff very friendly and welcoming. However, I do not think it warrants 4 stars unfortunately. We stayed B&B, and when we went for breakfast, around 9am, there were very limited supplies of fruit, shortage of scrambled eggs etc and breakfast continued until 10.30! The breakfast room seemed to be managed on limited staff who did their absolute best to help and please everyone. My other complaint was the air conditioning, it came on at 10am and went off at 6pm, which caused many uncomfortable nights sleep even with the windows open! It appeared the air conditioning was on when customers/clients were out of their rooms. I did question this at reception and was told the receptionist would ask! Overall the hotel is great, but the boss needs to look at the broader picture for both staff and customers alike!

Amazing place. Top of the mountain. A little bit lower Taormina, just few min of driving. We will come back there for sure. Amazing area around, perfect view, everything is around, few days we stayed there, there was no need to go anywhere. We will come back to Taormina, and we will stay there again, for sure

Wonderful old Italian hotel. Location was beautiful, fantastic view of Mt Etna from our balcony. Loved the village of Castlemola and it was an easy bus ride into Taoromina. Parking on site. The restaurant was good but the trattorias in Castlemola were a lot of fun to explore.

Zu betonen ist der gute Service der beiden Inhaber Yvonne und Fabrizio. Sie sind sehr lieb und kümmern sich um alles was das Herz begehrt. Wenn man in der Nähe ist sollte man hier auf alle Fälle übernachten. Fußläufig sind auch ein paar gute Restaurants.

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可以看到火山和大海，风景优美

在山顶，开车上下山也很不方便。早餐很一般，餐厅也很一般。

Das Zimmer mit Blick auf den Ätna war sensationell. Reichhaltiges Frühstück mit Kaffee von der Kolbenmaschine.

fantastic place as I love the mountains and had a room with a view on Mt. Etna. A bit away from Taorimina center, which is for me a plus, because it was less crowded. There is a bus to Taormina and also a lovely path through the Taorimina castle (around 1-1,5 hr) walk to the center. I am planning to go back.

Nice and tidy.

Small shower cabin with smell of mould.

The views and location - excellent. Some of the best views I have ever experienced at a hotel, anywhere in the world. The staff were also simply brilliant. They even made us up a breakfast box to take away when we had to leave very early for a trip to Etna.

As the other reviews mention, the decor is a bit dated. In the communal areas, we found this charming. However, in the rooms the decor was out-moded and not befitting of what is expected for modern hotels. The showers are tiny and the beds not very comfy, particularly with 2 singles pushed together. There is not much space in the bedroom either and the light bulbs are very white and stark.

The view from this place is outstanding the staff are lovely , food is great and the location, although a little out of the way, makes it quiet and relaxing. The hotel itself is a step back in time to the early 1980’s and there is something really changing about that, it’s reflected in the decor, the staff uniform and the music playlists , but we found it charming. We travelled with our 17 year old and 21 year old kids and they were fine. We were in need a relaxation a rest but there were plenty of options of activities, from climbing Mt. Etna to boat trips and Taormina tours if you wanted to explore. The breakfasts were great- lots of choice They even brought a jug of hot chocolate for my son every morning. There is a pizza oven on site and were several of options for Gluten Free, the GF pizza was amazing and they were very knowledgeable about GF. The menu was small but something for everyone- we are there twice. My only comment was that there could have been more choice of GF desert. The pool is lovely but cold water - and I mean cold , we found out that most pools in the area are not heated.

There wasn’t anything we didn’t like. There is only one plug socket in the bathroom - so pack and extension lead. The USB chargers by the bed were a bit hit and miss too. Because it’s a bit out of the way there is shuttle bus - this was out of service, while we were there, and it’s only runs three times a day. It would be perfect if this was more frequent or you could call ahead. It cost 25 euro to get to the bus station ( main town) and 35 to the train station which is quite a lot. Local buses are hourly , really cheap but the ones we took ( bus stop right outside the hotel) was 25 mins late . It’s 2 euros into town but they stop about 7 pm and there are no buses back from Taormina at 3pm. The walk back is a work out. We quite liked it, but is - good 25 minutes up a steep hill . Beautiful views and it’s just a footpath so takes the back streets with amazing views.

Grande chambre avec une très belle vue sur l'Etna. Bonne literie. Dîner pris au restaurant très bon avec un personnel serviable. Présence d'un parking appréciable. Amabilité du personnel.

Climatisation de la chambre non fonctionnelle ou problème pour la régler mais aucune explication laissée sur place. Petit déjeuner standard (à part le cappuccino qui était bon), déception par rapport au diner pris la veille. Cabine de douche de la salle de bain vraiment petite !!

The location is truly perfect—peaceful and away from the crowds, yet still close enough to everything you might want to explore. The view is simply breathtaking, a true “million-dollar” panorama that never gets old, whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee or a glass of wine in the evening. One thing we really appreciate is the tranquility—sleeping here is genuinely restful, with no noise or stress, which is quite rare these days. The breakfast is solid, offering everything you need for a pleasant start to the day. In the end, what really sets this hotel apart is the value for money. For what you get, it’s hard to find anything better. Definitely a place we love coming back to—and will return to again.

It just needs a bit of refreshing—painting the walls, updating the bathrooms—but it’s all purely cosmetic.

We travelled to Villa Sonia as a couple in their mid 30’s, for 6 days in early April, bed and breakfast in a Superior Room (Room 410) Location It’s located centrally in Castelmola. The walk into Castelmola’s shops and bars is about 5 minutes - there’s plenty to do on your doorstep that if you wanted a hotel day with a break at lunch and evenings to walk around, you wouldn’t feel bored. The walk into Taormina via the path near the hotel took around 30 minutes down and around 35minutes up for us. We’re moderately fit (hike regularly at home) and the weather was around 20 degrees all week - so others might feel differently. We would recommend the up hill hike in summer unless you were well stocked up on water. The bus stop is near the hotel and easy to find if you needed it (we never caught it) but we did get a taxi up from Taormina sea area, once at a cost of €40 (so be warned if you have a few too many wines like we did and can’t face a bus or walk!) We rented a car for our trip and used the car park at a cost of €7 euro per day. The car park felt very secure and safe for our rental. Staff: The staff at the hotel were all absolutely lovely. They’re the stand out part of our trip - every member of the reception team were so kind and approachable. We asked for recommendations on towns to visit in areas in the north east and south east and came away with well circled maps! We had fewer interactions with breakfast staff but all were smiley and attentive. Cleanliness Our room was cleaned daily and to a high standard. The bed always made exceptionally well. The pool area was always clean, as was shared areas around the hotel and the breakfast area. Facilities The hotel has an overall charming feel to it. Our Superior Room had a brilliant view of Mt Etna. Really faultless. Their balcony was huge, the bed was big (big enough for my 6’1 partner and me). No kettle in the room but we asked for one and it was provided the same day - we just needed to buy our own coffee and milk. We used the pool area / sun beds most days in the early evening. April is too cold to swim unless you pack a wet suit but we really enjoyed relaxing on the sun beds. One small note is that the pool bar isn’t open in April as it’s off season, but you can buy soft drinks / alcohol / crisps in the hotel lobby and I believe there are plastic cups available for any class bottles. Food and drink We went for breakfast every day and thought the food was nice. There was a small selection of cooked food (scrambled eggs, hot dog style sausage and bacon), meats, yogurts and fruit, breads and homemade cakes. A special shoutout to the apple cake and whoever makes this! We only went for our evening meal the first night (no reason, just wanted to explore the area restaurants!) but the wine, food and service were great and the price in line with other local restaurants. Value for money Very very very good value for money. We booked through hotels.com and also used a QuidCo cashback deal (not affiliated with the hotel but available in the UK). Overall: We would have no hesitation returning to Villa Sonia again. I imagine in May/June when the weather is hotter and the pool warmer that it is absolutely incredible!!

Przyjemny obiekt w pięknej okolicy. Obsługa pomocna. Z tarasu super widok na Etnę, szczególnie że m mieliśmy bezchmurne niebo i słoneczny poranek. Obiekt położony 2,5 km od centrum Taorminy, ale obsługa zapewniła nam transfer. który odbywa się dwa razy dziennie rano i o 15:34.

Dostaliśmy pokój od ulicy, ale nie miało to większego znaczenia. Nie poprosiłem też pokoju z widokiem na Etnę.

Lage und Aussicht, Gastronomie.

Personal war verbindlich. Lüftung für meine Ohren zu laut. Baulicher Zustand am Pool in die Jahre gekommen.

Emplacement extraordinaire. Unique, magnifique.

Restaurant indigne du cadre

The location and the staff. Originally booked as Taormina everything was either booked or outrageously expensive. So glad we got to stay in Castelmola! Great views and while people in Sicily generally were friendly the staff here were especially so.

La vue doit être magnifique mais nous étions dans le brouillard

Franchement pas à la hauteur d’un 4 étoiles. Cheveux dans la douche, installation désuète, petit déjeuner type 3e âge

Widok! Ciche pokoje, wygodne łóżko, dobre śniadanie

Villa Sonia is a beautiful authentic Italian Hotel with wonderful views of Mt Etna and the surrounding mountains and valleys. The property is quiet and large with spacious rooms and comprehensive facilities. The staff, particularly the reception staff were very professional, warm and had excellent knowledge to assist with every request.

We dined at the hotel restaurant a couple of times. While it’s pleasant with a nice interior, it’s not to the standard of the rest of the hotel. The food was okay but the staff were not so warm and obliging.

Views And food.

Small room and shower.

We fell in love with Villa Sonia the minute we arrived, the staff were one big happy family, the rooms were large, spotless & the view looking directly at Etna took your breathe away! We had 4nights booked and a further week in the neighbouring beach resort Letojani - when we got to the new hotel it was a complete tourist package holiday including plastic cups for your evening drinks and nothing like the tranquility we had left! We phoned Villa Sonia & they were so helpful in finding us another stunning room & we finished our holiday back with them where we sunbathed watching birds of prey & listening to the silence - we loved our holiday so much we are already booked for July 2026 🤩

The location was lovely. It is away from the crowds in Taormina, and an easy bus ride to Taormina so no need to drive and find parking. The bus stop is right outside the hotel. The view of Mount Etna from the balcony was amazing, even though it looked more like a big hill due to the distance. Mount Etna was gently sending smoke into the air but we could not smell it. The charming hotel restaurant is a one minute walk, and the chef was excellent. The chef made a delicious potato soup for us that was not on the menu. We ate there a few times as it was so convenient, after full days in Taomina. The hotel is just below the village Castelmola, which is just a short walk or rather a couple of flights of stairs. It is definitely worth a visit. Castelmola is a very beautiful village with very friendly and helpful locals. The location of the hotel makes for a very easy visit. Villa Sonia is an older hotel decorated with antiques. It looks from the outside that there are only two or three floors, But our room was on the 6th floor. It is built on a hillside. We would definitely stay here again. The staff were amazing especially David at the front desk.

There is a bar on one of the lower floors (I forget the floor number) and a breakfast terrace. It was late in October and they close at 530pm and at 5pm we visited. The Barista was busy cleaning up and so we just said good evening, and went on the terrace. He said it was closing soon. We said we just wanted to see. Unfortunately, the door was already set to lock behind us, and after no more than 5 minutes, we decided to go back inside, It was before 5:15pm, but could not get in, and all the other exits were locked with padlocks. There was minimal lighting, we banged on the glass door, but the Barista had already gone. If one of us had a medical emergency, it would have been a catastrophe. We finally found an entrance on the side, up a flight of stairs that led to bedrooms. When I told the front desk (not David), the man did not acknowledge our distress, or recognize the possible severity of the situation, and he trivialised by laughing and saying something to the effect of, it is like a treasure hunt finding the door. I am addressing this here so higher management is aware of the problem in case another older couple, are not so mobile to go on a treasure hunt. At least put a phone or emergency button on the outside. Also the vases of flowers on the breakfast tables are a bit dusty. Finally, every now and then, the shower drain smelled. It was not the maid, it is the internal plumbing.

Eine traumhafte Lage

De ligging is prachtig. Castelmola is een relatief klein stadje dat boven Taormina ligt. Het is een fikse wandeling heen en terug. Het uitzicht op de Etna en de zee zijn fantastisch. Ontbijt prima, enkel jammer dat je voor een koffie moet bijbetalen. Dat is niet echt meer van deze tijd.

Het hotel en vooral de kamers kunnen een opfrissing gebruiken. Matras en kussens waren erg hard en er is veel stof aanwezig in de kamer door de wollen dekens en de stoffen bekleding. Airco werkt niet buiten het hoogseizoen.