Suspended above the Ionian Sea, the San Domenico Palace stands facing Mount Etna like a mirage of eternity. This former 14th-century Dominican convente A century-old monastery, transformed into a luxury hotel by Four Seasons, combines monastic silence with Mediterranean splendor. In Taormina, between volcanic cliffs, jasmine gardens and ancient ruins, every stone seems to hold a memory of history.
From the moment you enter, the stone vaults, light-filled cloisters, and quiet passageways create a timeless atmosphere. The refined yet enveloping rooms offer intimate views of the sea, the bay, the verdant hills, or the ancient theater. Everywhere, a subtle dialogue unfolds between architectural restraint and contemporary touches. As dusk falls, the terrace of Anciovi, the hotel's signature restaurant, is gently illuminated. Below, the sea murmurs, while the sky takes on shades of red and orange.
It is in this suspended setting that the dinner ritual begins. First, a perfectly cooked fillet of fish of the day rests on a bed of eggplant and cherry tomatoes. The caponata, As for her, she reinterprets candied vegetables by playing on the delicate balance between sugar and vinegar. Next come the paccheri with lobster, generous and briny, followed by a cannon Sicilian cuisine and an airy tiramisu. Each dish honors local roots while flirting with the lightness of haute cuisine. The drinks, too, join the celebration: the herbal and citrus cocktails, served poolside, reinterpret Sicilian heritage with freshness and boldness.
The spa: a botanical interlude
Just steps from the arcades, the Botanica Spa offers a unique sensory escape. Inspired by the convent's former gardening monks, this modern sanctuary celebrates medicinal plants and native flowers. The scents of lavender, myrtle, and neroli envelop the body in a slow, restorative alchemy.
The revitalizing treatments, formulated with locally grown botanicals, reconnect the soul to the earth. The signature Hydrafacial combines deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation, hydration, and antioxidant protection. The result? Radiant, revitalized, and rejuvenated skin. In the vaulted rooms, the soft lighting soothes tension and invites complete relaxation.
A baroque collaboration with Dolce&Gabbana
While the San Domenico Palace embodies a certain idea of tranquility, summer 2025 introduces a controlled flamboyance. For the second year running, Dolce&Gabbana returns to the hotel and redefines its visual identity. The theme? "Blu Mediterraneo": a chromatic and sensory immersion into the soul of the South.
Around the infinity pool, the sun loungers resemble frescoes. Parasols, adorned with motifs inspired by Sicilian ceramics, sway in the breeze. The furniture, the fabrics, the decorative objects… every element becomes an excuse to celebrate cobalt tones and sun-kissed patterns. Under the arches of the former sacristy, a pop-up boutique unveils a capsule collection designed for Taormina: shimmering caftans, sculpted dresses, and hand-painted accessories.
This collaboration, far from being purely aesthetic, expresses an encounter: that of the sacred and the profane, of silence and celebration, of stone and silk. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana re-enchant the space through a baroque and radiant vision. The San Domenico is not merely a backdrop: it is transformed into a character in its own right.
