Enjoy a Stay at the Mazzaro Sea Palace

“It’s an unforgettable arrival,” Marilena Calabrò, hotel manager at Mazzarò Sea PalaceI was staring at the perfect bay in the lobby when he said this with a big smile.

Taormina’s beautiful beaches, rich heritage, and generous locals are all reasons to visit. SicilyI fell in love with the town long before it was even a place. White Lotus Since then, I have been returning to the Sea Palace almost every year. While I’d heard about Sea Palace before, this was the first time I checked in.

It was nearing the end of the 2024 season, and Calabrò was busy preparing the property for a renovation, which just debuted in March 2025. Yet, she took her sweet time to show all the ways the property, known for its relaxed luxury, embodies the “Sicilian soul.”

First-time visitors might mistakenly think that the Moorish heads in turquoise and the ceramic sea creatures in the outdoor bar and lounge, or the stone walls and rounded cacti lining the balconies of the plunge pools are Sicilian. Sicilian spirit goes beyond that. It’s the feeling I get when people welcome me into their homes and want to share them with me.

In every sense, my now-husband and I felt that the day we checked into our hotel was the calm prior to the storm. We left our relatives in Taormina’s center, just a few miles from the beach. The sun was shining, the bay of Mazzarò was glistening, our lounge chairs were waiting for us in the sand, and cocktails were flowing. On the day of the civil wedding, we would wake up to a torrential downpour that Taormina is rarely used to. It was the kind of rain which halted traffic and caused rivers to run along the dramatic hillsides.

But down at sea level, wrapped in the comforting cocoon of Mazzarò Sea Palace, we didn’t really mind. I savored a pistachio-granita with brioche at the breakfast buffet. I thought that no day could be bad when you have ice cream as breakfast. It was true, the rain stopped right in time for our ceremony. The white umbrellas we had been given by the hotel were folded away and we spent the rest of the afternoon strolling along Taormina’s main street, Corso Umberto. We received many well wishes as strangers passed us. It was certainly the Sicilian Spirit working in our favour once again.

Here, my review of VRetreats’ Mazzarò Sea Palace.

The Rooms

After undergoing renovations between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Mazzarò Sea Palace has a total of 68 rooms, including six suites. Every room has a sea-view, and all suites have a private pool.

De.Tales is a Milan-based architectural and design studio that has transformed the rooms into something lighter and more contemporary, while still maintaining the Mediterranean design elements which give them their signature Sicilian flair.

Our deluxe room had a sea view. We found it cozy yet modern with its gently arched ceilings. There was also a marble bath with a shower and two lounge chairs on the balcony. It was made homely with playful touches such as the ceramic octopus protecting our Nespresso machine.

Food and Drink

Like the island it sits on, Mazzarò Sea Palace is a destination for gastronomes, with two restaurants by young, experimental Sicilian chef Riccardo Fazio. The Blum fine dining concept was recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2025. Riccardo Fazio uses rare, local ingredients such as Tuma Persa Cheese, an almost-lost Sicilian art. He also blends unexpected flavors into traditional Italian dishes such as ravioli. There are only 12 seats per night but the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, not pretentious.

The seafront terrace is the initial attraction for many at Armònia, but Fazio doesn’t sit back and rely on the view. The menu is traditional with raviolo alla normea (the famous Sicilian eggplant dish), octopus smothered in marsala and lasagna Bolognese. Fazio is still able to add his creative touch throughout. Finally, at Almarè Bar, sip volcanic wines from the neighboring Etna region and taste cocktails made with seasonal, locally grown fruits, herbs, and spirits.

Activities and Experiences

A sunny afternoon in Taormina is best spent lounging or paddle boarding on the calm Bay of Mazzarò, and the hotel offers direct access. Both kids and adults will enjoy the wooden deck with the panoramic pool. The modern gym, spa and wellness center make it easy to transform your stay in the hotel into a health resort, at least until aperitivo.

Bookings are made by a dedicated concierge team excursions You can enjoy a variety of activities on the East Coast, including boat trips and historical tours. Ceramics classes are also available. The cooking classes are also popular with couples and families.

The Spa

You can also find out more about the following: Hyd’Or Spa The spa offers a variety of treatments from facials, massages, to lymphatic drainage. It also uses local, aromatic ingredients like citrus. I was there for a manicure/pedicure. The service was attentive and personalized in a calm setting.

Accessibility and sustainability

The hotel has four floors, which are all accessible by two elevators. Armonia restaurant and Almarè Bar are both on the ground floor. The walk-in showers are available in all rooms but two. VRetreats is proud of its commitment to sustainable practices and tourism. Gabbiani Verdi protocolThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations has 17 goals that are aimed at achieving sustainability.

Location

Located on the Bay of Mazzarò, less than three miles from the hilltop historic center of Taormina, the hotel offers direct beach access and a quiet atmosphere by nightfall. A scenic cable car, called the funivia, runs every 15 minutes. It is only a few minutes walk from the hotel. Tickets are €10 round-trip. Taxis are easily available and drive to town in about 15 minutes. The nearest airport is Catania–Fontanarossa, about an hour’s drive away.

Get special rates on nights at Mazzarò Sea Palace start from €900 per night.

Every T+L review is written either by a reporter, or an editor who has actually stayed in the hotel. Each hotel chosen aligns with what we believe. core values.