Belmond Introduces Villa Timeo: a Sicilian noble residence reenchanted by Laura Gonzalez launches in Taormina
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Introducing Villa Timeo: a Sicilian noble residence reenchanted by Laura Gonzalez launches in Taormina
Honouring vibrant Sicilian heritage through a soft, contemporary lens, Villa Timeo is an exclusive 21 room residence reopening its doors in May 2026, following a sumptuous redesign by acclaimed interior designer Laura Gonzalez. Just steps away from the legendary Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina, Villa Timeo offers exceptional views over the Mediterranean, Taormina and its ancient Greek amphitheatre.
Its 21 suites and rooms can be booked independently or by complete buyout, allowing for complete personalisation of private getaways or larger gatherings. The intimate charm of Sicilian hospitality and sophisticated ease of a noble residence infuse every space, inviting guests to enjoy the comfort and privacy of a home-from-home. Complete with private infinity pool, opulent indoor bar, pool terrace bar and lounge, Villa Timeo allows guests to enjoy privacy and intimacy, while having full access to the hotel's amenities and experiences - including the Michelin starred Otto Geleng restaurant, Timeo's lush, terraced gardens and a brand-new Dior spa.
SICILIAN HERITAGE MEETS CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
Paris-based interior designer Laura Gonzalez was the natural choice to infuse Villa Timeo's interiors with a creative sensibility thanks to her ability to balance one-of-a-kind craft textiles with design classics and vintage pieces. Known for her work alongside artisans, woodworkers, upholsterers, sculptors, ceramists and decorative painters, the designer drew inspiration from Sicily's rich heritage, reimagining the beauty of the island through a softly contemporary lens. Inspired by the iconic archeological gems of Taormina and from the aristocratic Siclian past, her design choices echo the soft white stone of ancient Greek theater and the hand-decorated Sicilian maiolica, reminescent of the grand terraces of Palermo's noble villas, infused with warm, inviting colors.
Each of the 21 rooms and suites blend traditional touches, such as South-Italy stone flooring, antique furniture and classic Italian marble fittings, combined with striking mid-century classics. Fabrics from Pierre Frey, lighting from Vaughan and furniture pieces from Cox London rub shoulders with artisanal Sicilian brands, including Le Malagioie ceramic table lamps and cement tiles by Domenico Mori. Natural textures, organic finishes and gentle curves effortlessly connect the Villa's interiors to the lush sun-kissed terraces and pool beyond, overlooking Naxos Bay. A newly renovated pool terrace, complete with shady pergola and sea-blue geometric tiles, conjures instant Sicilian warmth and elegance, while indoors, Bar Clementina with its Moroccan-inspired lattice work, intimate banquettes and polished plaster domed ceiling, celebrating the diverse mix of cultures that have historically shaped the island, is a place to linger over an aperitivo.
“I wanted to celebrate the beauty of Sicily through a storytelling approach. Villa Timeo is a place of contemplation and culture: it conjures the air of a home that embodies the warmth, poetry and elegance of the island. My intention was to create a balance between heritage and modernity, nature and art, resulting in a design that reflects light, softness and the true soul of Sicily” states Laura Gonzalez, Interior Architect.
Each entirely unique, Villa Timeo's rooms and suites atmosphere is united by the island's gentle charm through rustic design details blended with luxurious finishes, inviting guests to plug into a slower pace of life. Sicily's artistic tradition is evoked through several key details, from ceramic floors and antique mirrors to intricate marble marquetry, with new, bespoke pieces, designed by Laura Gonzalez, such as headboards, bedside tables, benches, sofa beds and many others.
A standout suite, the Clementina, named in honour of the founding family's daughter, is the largest of all the rooms, complete with tranquil hillside views and a roomy private terrace. Taorminan artist Alessandro Florio has worked closely with renowned fabric brand Rubelli to create tapestries for each room and suite, combined with contemporary touches expressed through raw plaster finishes and simple shaping.
“Our treasured Villa Timeo is the place to discover the art of Sicilian living. Perfectly poised between tradition and modernity, it offers an experience set apart: here guests can gather to celebrate, to relax or to renew in a space where no detail has been overlooked, from afternoon in-room aperitivo to personalised embroidered pillowcases, just to name a few that will make a stay unexpectedly memorable”, states Massimiliano Puglisi, General Manager of Grand Hotel Timeo.
Tailored and exclusive experiences at Villa Timeo will encompass painting and art classes by Taormina artist Alessandro Florio, who has worked at the rooms' textiles and decorations, mindfulness mixology experiences at the new intimate Clementina bar, and poolside wellness moments including daily sunrise yoga sessions. Additional options - such as private guided visits to the nearby ancient Greek theatre, ape calessino tours of Taormina or sailing experiences to discover Isola Bella and the natural beauties of the Sicilian coast – are available by separate arrangement.
WELLNESS WITH A TOUCH OF SICILIAN ART DE VIVRE
Building on this spirit of refined escape, Grand Hotel Timeo will also reveal a glamorous new permanent Dior Spa, immersing guests in the timeless allure of Taormina. This exclusive wellness retreat offers a sanctuary of serenity where guests can indulge in Bio-Energising therapies, Haute-Couture facials, or embark on curated half-day Wellness Villeggiaturas, each designed to capture the essence of Dior Wellness with a touch of Sicilian art de vivre.
OVER 150 YEARS OF GRAND HOTEL TIMEO
This opening marks the latest chapter in Grand Hotel Timeo's over 150-year history, forever a symbol of timeless glamour, yet always at the forefront of creativity and culture. Opened in 1873 by La Floresta family, Grand Hotel Timeo was the first hotel in Taormina, setting the scene as a place of creativity for illustrious artists and writers across the decades such as DH Lawrence who wrote and drew inspiration from the hotel for Lady Chatterley's Lover, as well as stars of classical Hollywood cinema Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant.
This history is permeated throughout the hotel's decor which exudes an air of Sicilian aristocracy and old-world glamour, a place which has remained a magnet for kings, princes, and grand dukes, not to mention Hollywood's celestial set.
Nearby, Villa Timeo came to be part of the family's estate by marriage. Built at the end of 19th century as the private residence of the Famà, a noble family from Taormina, the property was transformed into a grand hotel managed by the owners, until 1929 when Clementina Famà became the spouse of Francesco La Floresta, owner of the Grand Hotel Timeo, marking the union of two of Taormina's most iconic and prestigious historical buildings. The original design pays homage to the archaeological treasures of the island and its artistic legacy, from the Magna Graecia origins to the passage of past luminaries, like Oscar Wilde, Goethe, and Truman Capote. Traditional Sicilian craftsmanship is evident throughout the materials, showcasing authentic Sicilian elements such as cotto, antique Perlato Siciliano marble, marble marquetry, and antique mirrors. Villa Timeo maintains today its original elegant yet familial air, effortlessly balancing the grace of an aristocratic home with the intimacy of a private hideaway.
Villa Timeo invites guests to embrace the spirit of Taormina, surrounded by the beauty of the natural world and the richness of the Sicilian history infused with Greek, Spanish, Roman and Byzantine heritage. Still as intimate as an elegant family home but set apart through its attention to detail, Villa Timeo takes its guests on a journey of imagination. The result is a place where history, nature and culture intertwine in an atmosphere that is both refined and comfortingly familiar. . Read more here - Hotel Management Global Outlook Link
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