Name: Four Seasons San Domenico
Address: Taormina, IT
Price range: From $3205

Four Seasons San Domenico, TaorminaFour Seasons San Domenico in Taormina, Italy has a corrected score of 3.3 ± 0.6 (thin evidence, no platform scores), ranked 17 of 28 hotels we score in Taormina. Its platform ratings, normalised to 0-5, average 4.5 before correction. Rooms from about $3,205 a night (cached, not a live quote).The San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel is a five-star property housed in a former 14th-century convent that became a grand hotel in the 19th century. It stands in Taormina, above the Ionian Sea, with terraces and kept gardens looking out over the Bay of Taormina and Mount Etna. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a full-service spa, a gym, a restaurant, room service and parking, and pets are welcome. Rooms are spacious and well maintained, and past guests have included US presidents. It suits travellers wanting a historic, high-end stay with sea and volcano views. At around $3,205 a night it is a serious expense, and guest scores for the rooms and spa are good rather than exceptional.What stands out

Former 14th-century convent with grand hotel history

Views over the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna

Outdoor pool, spa and gym on site

Restaurant, room service and parking available

Watch out for

Rooms and spa score around eight out of ten

Very expensive, from $3,205 per night

Better-scored in Taormina

Hotel Mazzarò Sea Palace, Taormina: 4.2 ± 0.3 (fair evidence, 2 of 4 platforms), from $1,187 a night. Hotel Mazzarò Sea Palace is a five-star seasonal hotel situated on the Baia di Mazzarò seafront near Isola Bella.

Atlantis Bay, Taormina: 4.1 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 2 of 4 platforms). Atlantis Bay is a 71-room luxury hotel set into the cliffs above Taormina's Baia delle Sirene, with terraces stepping down to the Ionian Sea.

Hotel Villa Carlotta, Taormina: 4.1 ± 0.3 (fair evidence, 2 of 4 platforms). Hotel Villa Carlotta is a boutique hotel set within a stone-clad villa from the late 19th century.