We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Lowest prices for your stay
Booking.com
€357
Breakfast included
Hotels.com
€357
Breakfast included
Get rewarded with One Key
Lol.travel
€310
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
Nearby Hotels
Reviews (2,699)
Filter reviews
2,699 results
Traveller rating
2,448
201
31
9
10
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
More languages
Traveller rating
2,448
201
31
9
10
Show reviews that mention
All reviews mount etna shuttle service free shuttle our honeymoon hotel shuttle glass of prosecco sister hotel amazing views moment you arrive overlooking taormina the hotel offers perched high pastries junior suite beautiful terrace small hotel town centre
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
1,464 - 1,469 of 2,699 reviews
Reviewed 13 November 2011

The hotel is beautiful. The views are breathtaking. The breakfast buffet was delicious and indulgent. We stayed in room #10 - the corner room with 2 terraces. If you are on a romantic/honeymoon trip, I highly recommend asking for this room.

I would have given this place a perfect 5 star rating if not for a small glitch in their service. We stayed at the hotel on the day the town experienced a very sudden down pour of rain and hail, and water gushed on the streets like a flash flood. This was a scary experience as we drove up the mountain (against the flow of river of water) to return to the hotel. We entered the hotel totally soaked (and shivering) and were disappointed with how little sympathy we got from the staff who were working that night. Later in the evening, we heard one of the guests complain about water flooding outside their room. The male receptionist who received the complaint did little to make the elderly guest feel that he is sympathetic to the situation and that everything will be done to address her concerns. This young male receptionist could receive better training in his job. In contrast, the male receptionist (half Brit) who checked us in earlier in the day was very professional.

Room tip: Go for room #10 if you are on a romantic/honeymoon trip.
Date of stay: October 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
3  Thank MidlifeF
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VillaDucale, Owner at Hotel Villa Ducale, responded to this reviewResponded 15 November 2011

Dear Washington Tripadvisor user,
I would like to thank you for the high mark you gave us and the excellent words commenting your recent stay at Villa Ducale.
But, I must admit I was really struck by the negative impression you had when checked in. As you widely told in your review all Italy and Taormina were hit by a terrible thunderstorms for 3 days which caused landslides, water and mud into most houses and stores, holes in the roads, floods... Some of our rooms were also flooded and all Villa Ducale staff including the owners worked the extra mile night and day to provide a continuuos high level service and the least trouble possible to our guests. Every single guest seemed to not only sympathize with us (lots of damages including electronic appareils, routers,tv, etc.) but some of them also wanted to help... We do not expect everybody to be sympathetic with us but after 18 hours of hard exhausting work under the water you can excuse us for not being super friendly as usual:
I really bealieve your statement was too severe with us. In any case I apologize, but please understand that we were living into a national catastrophe which turned out in a tragedy with several dead and many missing people ... but the show must go on anyway !!!!

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 9 November 2011

As a frequent traveler and Tripadvisor regular it's easy to get caught up in rave reviews or rants about specific properties or regions and miss the small details and context within which we plan. Overall, Villa Ducale is nearly flawless. It's charming, intimate, comfortable, warm & welcoming. The staff is splendid and makes you feel special despite the fact that they've answered our mundane questions 100's of times. The free shuttle to and from town is terrific. Local taxis can be brutally expensive and driving is not for the timid. The diverse and extensive breakfast display is outstanding and delicious. Dinners are very good also, but it seems more like an accommodation for tired guests rather than a dining destination.
Our Junior Suite was very comfortable and clean but a little disappointing because the room was "across the road" and didn't have the Mt. Etna/Taormina/Giardini Naxos views we expected - not that the view was bad mind you - we just expected otherwise, so if this expectation is important to you then ask about the view before you book the room. Also, it's important to note that Taormina isn't designed around "big box" hotels but rather charming villas, small hotels and B & B's, so if you're expecting big 3, 4 or 5 star properties with all the amenities - look elsewhere. If you want charm and warmth, Villa Ducale and Taormina rocks!

Room tip: The rooms facing Mt Etna are smaller than the suites across the road but offer better views.
Date of stay: October 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
2  Thank RCarabetta
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VillaDucale, Owner at Hotel Villa Ducale, responded to this reviewResponded 14 November 2011

Dear friend,
thank you very much for all the praises and to define the Villa Ducale as "flawless".
We feel sorry about your little disappointment for the room but appreciate much that you describe it as a very confortable and clean Junior Suite with a very nice view.
It is clearly described in all the Villa Ducale literature that all rooms have an outstanding sea view; then of course it's the guests's choice whether to choose a Suite or a Double Superior room, a full sea view or an Etna view, a large terrace or a maybe more cosy and more panoramic small balcony, this is Villa Ducale... a different place for different people, each room being different depending on personal opinion and taste. But what we can say is that every Villa Ducale single room is charming, elegant, confortable, full of amenities (including a Sicilian style minibar, quite unusual) and with a large abundant sea view.
A big GRAZIE for staying with us and for having taken time to write a comment,
Family Quartucci, the owners

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 7 November 2011

My husband and I stayed for a week in October and had the most wonderful time. The staff really make this feel as if you not just staying in a hotel but as a guest at a relaxed family home. They can not do enough for you and are a wealth of knowledge about things to do according to the weather we experienced during the week. They even packed us a beautiful breakfast to take to Etna on the morning of us leaving. We toured Taormina itself, Castelmola, Savocca, Syracuse and Mount Etna. Highlights include the Baroque buildings in Syracuse, fantastic walks around Taormina, Etna tour and the beautiful terrace of Villa Ducale with a glass of prosecco. Thank you for your superb attention to detail, We shall certainly return!

Date of stay: October 2011
    • Value
    • Location
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
1  Thank londonwilma
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 7 November 2011

We found this marvelous hotel through the Karen Brown books and were delighted to spend two nights here. Beginning with the very warm welcome, we enjoyed every minute of this lovely location. The rooms are very nice and all have an incredible view of the ocean. The hotel staff is very helpful, they provide a free shuttle to the city center, and the food is excellent. Plus, the view of Mt. Etna is outstanding. The breakfast, rated as the best in Taormina, is extremely sumptuous. Plus, the kitchen accommodated my gluten-free needs extremely well. The highlight of our stay, however, was a special evening of local music that included a mandolin-player. That's the instrument that is usually played in Sicilian music. All in all, we would definitely stay at this hotel again.

Room tip: All rooms have a sea view.
Date of stay: November 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with family
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
1  Thank Carol F
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 7 November 2011

We stayed three nights at this gorgeous place, soaking in the views, enjoying the tasteful and exquisite decor, appreciating the service and the food, but most of all remembering the kindness and warmth of the owner and the staff. What a special experience!! We had the privilege of meeting Rosaria Quartucci and spending a wonderful afternoon with her--something I will never forget. She is repsonsible for the beauty of the hotel, the lovely ceramics, the attitude that is fostered through the staff to make each person's visit unique and special. Special is the right word for our time at the Villa Ducale. If I am ever lucky enough to return to Taormina, I will make a bee-line for this lovely place. On every level it was wonderful. Thank you, thank you.

Room tip: We had rooms on the lower level. They were wonderful with small private terraces and fabulous views.
Date of stay: June 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with friends
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
1  Thank Dedphred
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
View more reviews