Global luxury brand Orient-Express Hotels has signed an agreement to purchase the Grand Hotel Timeo and the Villa Sant’Andrea in Taormina, Sicily, for a combined price of €81million (US$117 million) as a strategic investment in Sicilian tourism and hospitality.
This transaction will bring the number of Orient-Express properties in Italy to eight, including the Hotel Cipriani and Palazzo Vendramin in Venice, Villa San Michele in Florence, Hotel Splendido and Splendido Mare in Portofino and Hotel Caruso in Ravello.
The 83-room Grand Hotel Timeo is widely considered to be the most luxurious hotel in Taormina and the 78-room Villa Sant’Andrea has a private beach on the Bay of Mazzarò in Taormina Mare.
Both Hotels Will Be Upgraded
The company will close both hotels for the rest of the Winter and Spring seasons to allow the upgrading of key facilities, such as bathrooms and the spa. This is a common practice in by the company which currently closes its properties during the Winter down season. The hotels will reopen for the 2010 summer season.
Built in 1873, the Grand Hotel Timeo occupies an excellent position in the historical centre of the city. From the hotel's panoramic terrace, guests can admire spectacular views of Mount Etna and the bay of Naxos.
Since the 19th century and the era of the Grand Tour, the hotel has been popular with international travellers, who enjoy the hotel’s unique location, swimming pool, wellness centre and the parkland which surrounds it. Each guest room has its own terrace and the hotel's ‘Il Dito e la Luna’ restaurant specialises in regional Sicilian cuisine.
Villa Sant'Andrea
Villa Sant'Andrea is located on the Bay of Mazzarò, the heart of Taormina's seaside district. The atmosphere is that of a private villa, enriched by paintings and antiques and set in lush gardens just steps away from a private beach. Several of the hotel's suites open onto a private terrace. The Oliviero restaurant, on a panoramic terrace overlooking the Calabrian coast, is known for its fish and seafood specialities.
The Grand Hotel Timeo nestles adjacent to one of the city’s most famous attractions, the legendary Greek Theatre, dating back to the 2nd century AD. Below, looking out across the blue waters of the Ionian sea, Villa Sant’Andrea, built in 1830, is right on the beach. The two properties are located approximately five kilometers apart and are linked by a private shuttle.
Iconic Properties
Commenting on the transaction to the travel media, Paul White, President and Chief Executive of Orient-Express Hotels said: “Iconic properties such as the Grand Hotel Timeo rarely become available. Both of these hotels typify Orient-Express Hotels’ core business - established properties with history and personality.”
Perched on a 200m high rocky spur called Monte Tauro on Sicily’s East coast, Taormina overlooks majestic, sweeping bays and to the South, Mount Etna, often capped with snow despite the mild climate of the region. The city has good transport links and is located 40 minutes from Catania International Airport, which has direct flights to all major European cities and good connections to those serving the United States.
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