Hotel Ariston and Palazzo Santa Caterina
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Yes, book it if you want a central Taormina base at a fraction of the town's usual price and can live with interiors guests call dated. Skip it if you expect a polished four-star finish or the best-rated room in town.
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Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits and who should skip it
This is our Budget choice in Taormina. It suits couples and solo travellers who want to walk to the main sights and spend their money on food and day trips rather than on the room. Location is its strongest point, with a location score of 9.2.
Skip it if decor matters to you. Guests say the interiors look dated and often fall short of the four-star rating. Its review score of 8.3 ranks 10th of the 12 eligible hotels we compared, so this is a price and location pick, not a quality pick.
Location and getting around
The address is Via Bagnoli Croci, 168. The listing labels the area as the top-rated area in Giardini Naxos, which is confusing, because the nearby sights are in Taormina itself. Check the map pin before you book so you know exactly where you will be.
By our straight-line estimates, the Ancient theatre of Taormina is about 0.1 km away, roughly a 1 minute walk, and Palazzo Corvaja is about 0.5 km, around 6 minutes. These times have not been verified on foot, and Taormina has slopes and steps, so real walks can take longer.
Guests mention that the hotel is close to the bus terminal, the cable car and the town centre. We cannot confirm routes or timetables, so check them for your dates.
What guests say
The score is 8.3 out of 10 from 3,288 reviews, a large sample. Guests like the position near the town centre and mention sea views. View type is not confirmed per room, so ask the hotel if a view matters to you.
Breakfast is a buffet. Guests describe it as large, with a wide choice that includes fresh fruit and pastries. Whether breakfast is included in your rate is not confirmed, so read the rate conditions.
The main complaint is the interiors. Guests find rates reasonable for the area, but say the rooms feel dated for a four-star hotel.
Price and how it compares with our other picks
Reference prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults put it at about €103.15 per night. That is 72% below the sample median of €365.70. These are not live quotes, so check today's price for your dates.
Our Best Value pick, Hotel Bel Soggiorno, a three-star hotel, scores 9.0 at about €163.22 per night. Our Luxury pick, Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina, a five-star hotel, scores 9.7 at about €1,110 per night. Paying around €60 more per night for Bel Soggiorno buys a much higher guest score, so compare both before you decide.
Listed facilities include free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, air conditioning, a garden and a terrace. Opening times and any fees are not confirmed. Pool access in November is not confirmed either.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 12 eligible hotels in Taormina. This one had the lowest eligible reference price once the upscale slot was reserved, while keeping a solid 8.3 from thousands of reviews and a location score of 9.2.
In a town where the median price was €365.70 per night, a central four-star listing at around €103 is rare. That is the case for it, along with honest limits on the finish.
Before you book
Room size, noise levels, renovation condition, breakfast inclusion and cancellation terms have not been assessed. Read the room description and the cancellation policy carefully.
The listing is tagged as pet friendly, but the rules and any fees are not confirmed. If you travel with a pet, contact the hotel first. Ask about parking too, since it is not listed in the data we have.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
Is Hotel Ariston and Palazzo Santa Caterina close to the Ancient theatre of Taormina?
Yes. By our straight-line estimate it is about 0.1 km, roughly a 1 minute walk. Times are not verified on foot.
How much does it cost per night?
Reference prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults were about €103.15 per night. Check today's price for your dates, as rates change.
Is breakfast included?
There is a buffet breakfast that guests rate well. Whether it is included depends on the rate you choose, so check the conditions before booking.
Does the hotel have a pool?
An outdoor pool is listed. Opening dates and times are not confirmed, so ask the hotel if you travel outside summer.
What is the main downside?
Guests say the interiors are dated and do not always match the four-star rating. Its review score ranks 10th of 12 hotels we compared.