I am a wholly deaf solo traveller and stayed at the lovely family run boutique 4 star Villa Ducale for a second visit in 2009 for 4 nights. When I arrived the first evening, I was welcomed with open arms by Alessia, Antonio and Santina, who provided me with a glass of Sicilian wine, and treated me like a member of their family in a home away from home. Afterwards, Antonio took me to a ‘honeymoon’ type suite deluxe with ornate interiors in Room 4 – I felt like a Royal Highness and I enjoyed my experience in that suite.
The next day, it was lovely to meet Francesca the hotel breakfast waitress again and she always looked after me and the other guests first class by making sure our breakfasts were perfect. I enjoyed my breakfast on the terrace with the breathtaking views of snow-capped Mount Etna and Giardini Naxos bay, again.
All the attentive multi-tasking staff members were able to do the reception job, porter job, cooking and serving the meals, etc. during their shifts!! They were so amazing keeping smiling when they were busy. I must say that Alessia and Antonio looked after me so well during my stay – big thanks to them.
This hotel is in a peaceful location, with many pretty flowers, if you want to get away from the crowds. It provides a free frequent shuttle to, and from, Taormina town and the beaches. It also has two bus stops nearby where you can get the buses down to Taormina, or up to the ‘fairy tale’ mountain village of Castelmola. Or you can walk down from the hotel to Taormina town via the public pathway where you can enjoy the panoramic views on foot like I did. It should take you about 10 to 15 minutes if you walk straight down. There is some seating and lampposts for after dark.
During my last evening, I enjoyed Villa Ducale's delicious home-made sarde Beccafica (Anchovies style).
I feel sure you would want to go back to that hotel after your first stay. I would love to go back there from time to time.
