Taormina, Villa Diodoro

This gem of a hotel is located a short distance from the main centre of the enchanting town of Taormina, where glamorous Italians go to see and be seen. The Villa Diodoro Hotel itself is spectacular - old style elegance and charm. The rooms are nicely furnished but not huge, and our sea view room had a lovely balcony overlooking the bay, with Mount Etna smouldering in the distance. It was fabulous! Room service was excellent, and staff were professional and very helpful. The restaurant was wonderful, and all meals very good. However, I did wish we'd booked B&B instead of half board, as there are so many wonderful restaurants around, and we ended up going out to eat anyway!

There's a large swimming pool on the lowest level of the hotel, which has a nice bar nearby and friendly staff doling out the luxurious clean towels every time you visit.

One aspect of the hotel was both its strength and its weakness in some ways. It is built into the side of a mountain, it is on several floors, meaning that spectacular views are in abundance, but this could prove a problem for less mobile people, or those with small children.

It is expensive, but I really do not think you can get that kind of experience without spending that sort of money. It is a truly special place, and I will definitely return.