Villa Neri Resort and Spa

Sitting on the fringes of Etna National Park, and overlooking the crater of the mighty Mount Etna itself, Villa Neri has a spectacular location.

Villa Neri’s stylish rooms and suites combine traditional and modern design features to luxurious effect. The Master Suite has rustic wooden floors, contemporary furnishings and a floral-tiled bathroom with hand-painted ceramics, and there’s a six-seater Jacuzzi on its outdoor terrace. Classic Rooms feature traditional Sicilian cast-iron beds and private patios overlooking Etna National Park, while you can enjoy views over Taormina and the Mediterranean from the two-storey Marchesa Suites.
 
All the suites combine contemporary architecture with extensive use of organic materials, particularly wood and volcanic stone, which reflects the natural beauty of Etna National Park.

Dining at Villa Neri is as elegant an affair as the rest of the hotel. Le Dodici Fontane serves traditional Sicilian food in a gourmet style, with dishes including Sicilian pork ragout and saffron pasta filled with guineafowl. Food is accompanied by the finest wines from Sicily and across Italy.

The hotel’s beautiful spa is a modern, relaxing space. Its impressive range of facilities include a sauna, a Turkish bath, a relaxation room with water beds and an ice fountain. Treatments include massages, mud wraps and aromatherapy, all featuring local natural ingredients such as sea salt, olive oil and grapes from Mount Etna. If you fancy a swim, there is also a heated pool.

Exploring Mount Etna should be the first activity on your agenda here. Italy’s largest volcano, and one of the most active in the world, Etna is constantly smoking and bubbling. The surrounding park is home to a network of hiking trails, while a combination of cable car and jeep can take you to the summit, with conditions carefully monitored for safety.
 
Away from Etna, the nearby town of Taormina is another must-visit. This glamorous resort town is home to designer boutiques and top-end restaurants, as well as some fascinating ancient ruins. The Teatro Greco is a spectacular amphitheatre with views of Mount Etna in the background, while the gardens of Villa Comunale are bursting with lush tropical plants.