Atlantis Bay by VRetreats

Atlantis Bay by VRetreats

Built into the cliff face above Sicily's Bay of the Sirens, Atlantis Bay opens with a boat ride and a glass of Sicilian sparkling wine for arriving guests, then settles into terraces that hang over the water and Mediterranean-toned rooms carved into the rock. A funicular drops guests in central Taormina within minutes, so the narrow old-town streets are close without living on top of them. The sea-view suites, including the twin-bedded Deluxe with balcony and the Executive Double Suite, face the bay directly, while the Superior and standard Deluxe doubles look instead over the town, a distinction worth checking before booking. What sets this property apart from other Taormina addresses is the pairing of an indoor pool with an outdoor one and its own beach facilities, letting guests choose sun, shade or water regardless of the weather rolling off Etna. Dining runs from FLAME, a seasonal open-flame grill, to Kori Bar and its poolside Etna wine list, down to a beach bar serving granitas and light fish plates. Hyd'Or SPA handles the massages and steam room, and a doctor is on call. This suits travelers who want cliffside drama with a real town close by, couples marking an occasion with the boat welcome, and families, since babysitting is arranged and pets are allowed too. It suits less anyone hoping to skip the funicular altogether or avoid the wedding parties and meetings the hotel's panoramic venues regularly host. Catania airport is about 70 kilometers away, close enough for a straightforward transfer, far enough that this remains a destination rather than a stopover. The bay outside the window does the rest of the convincing. A cliffside hotel over the Bay of the Sirens, minutes by funicular from Taormina's old town, with FLAME's open-flame grill, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a boat welcome poured in Sicilian sparkling wine. Suits couples and families who want the drama of the cliff without giving up the town.