12 Best Hotels in Mount Etna and Eastern Sicily, Sicily

Close to Randazzo and with stunning views towards Etna, this immaculately restored 19th-century farmhouse is set in beautiful grounds against a backdrop of lava flows. Clustered around the palmento, the imaginatively designed guest rooms feature chestnut beams and furniture and wooden sinks: the accent here is on curves rather than straight lines. Activities such as ambling along on a donkey, saddling up for a horse ride, or olive oil and wine tasting might lure you away from the swimming pool and its shady terraces. The staff couldn't be nicer, breakfast is super fresh and there’s an excellent restaurant to boot. 

In the small, charming town of Linguaglossa, this boutique property located in a former palazzo offers a very tranquil retreat, with rooms awash in white and lots of natural light. In common rooms, you can still see the restored frescoed ceilings of the original structure. 

Hardwood floors, vibrant wallpaper, extensive original artwork, and spacious rooms are the hallmarks of this charming boutique property. On the ground floor, there's a small shop full of stylish housewares that feels like a photo stylist's prop closet. And though the property is located on one of the city's principal streets, the heavy windows ensure a good night's sleep. Two of the rooms have private terraces.

This large property, rising above the lava rocks, right on the sea feels a bit like a time capsule. You can easily imagine the Rat Pack making it their home on a Sicilian holiday. For some, that means the property is stuck in the past and could use a reboot, but for others, it's the perfect amount of old-school panache.

This contemporary, light-filled hotel makes the most of its position right in front of the sea and the faraglioni. Indulge in a cocktail on the terrace at sunset, ponder over which Sicilian specialty to order in the attached restaurant, or spend some time at the nearby beach club. Whatever you do, it will be met with impeccable and amicable service. 

This independent hotel provides tidy accommodations in the style you might expect in a chain aimed at business travelers, but the name and ambience of the hotel are much more connected to the town's local spirit. It's thanks to Anassila, the tyrant who ruled Reggio, that Messina got its name sometime around 491 BC, in honor of his homeland (Messenia) in Greece. And he was given the right to mint money, coins called Messenion, which were vital to the growth of trade in the area. 

Just a few steps down from the luxurious Villa Ducale Hotel—but several degrees more affordable—this cozy, family-run villa sits on the hillside, removed from the action of Taormina. The spacious guest rooms all have balconies from which to admire the looming profile of Etna and the sparkling waters of the Ionian Sea. Breakfast is taken in the glass-fronted restaurant overlooking the terraces of a lushly planted garden; along with the bar, it forms the social hub of the hotel.

This tranquil villa from the 1970s is perched at the edge of the Ganzirri Lake and looks out over shady gardens, sunny terraces, and a secluded infinity pool. Guest rooms are not shy of color and are just a few steps away from spa treatments and a gym. From here, it's an easy walk around the lake or to the beaches of Capo Peloro.

This updated historic palazzo maintains elements of its early 1900s grandeur: parquet floors, 13-foot ceilings, and porcelain stoneware tiles. Almost every room has its own balcony, and the hotel is full of art by Giancarlo Mustich. It's a very clean and enchanting little place to lay your head. The owner, Massimo Costantino, has relationships with everyone in the neighborhood and can arrange to have lunch or dinner brought into the hotel if you're a bit road weary and simply don't want to go out. 

With a sleek minimalist design in a 17th-century palace and a convenient location in an increasingly trendy area not far from the train and bus stations, this boutique hotel caters to design aficionados on a budget. Rooms are cool, modern, and spacious—some have frescoed ceilings. The city's sights are within an easy walking distance—but the hotel's secure setting near an area populated by migrants and close to the red-light district may be off-putting to some.

Although just a short walk from the Porta Messina on Corso Umberto, this modern and upbeat hotel is far enough away from the hubbub of the town to guarantee a peaceful night's sleep. The balconies of the airy and spacious guest rooms, the panoramic terrace where breakfast is taken, and the rooftop pool all pander to the view. Tuck into your breakfast pastries, sip your poolside cocktail, and soak it all up. And the staff couldn't be more pleasant. 

Many of the guest rooms at this well-situated hotel have private terraces with gorgeous Instagrammable views of Etna without the crowds (or high prices) of nearby Taormina. Along with a refreshing swimming pool, colorful public spaces include a lobby, bar, and lounge that make the most of the stellar vista, plus a restaurant with a wine bar.