Our hotel was situated in an ideal position high on the hillside overlooking the sea, just a short 15min walk into the centre of Taormina. The hotel was clean tidy and all staff were friendly. We chose the half board option but also ate out on occasions. The pool area was large, but the pool is VERY deep 2.7m, with no shallow end and impossible to stand - because of this, and the steep terrain I would have thought it would have been adults only, but it does accept children. The Hotel Ariston, although welcoming could do with an update, everything was very beige, as was the food. We met a couple who had visited 12 years ago and said it looked exactly the same. The food was ok and difficult to really criticise but all fairly bland with no real variation in the menu options or flavours Having said all that we did have a lovely trip. But having stayed at the 4* Illa d'Ore in Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca, last year, also on a half board basis, it had an awful lot to live up to and didn't quite make it !

Hotel Ariston Taormina no complaints staff very friendly

The hotel was exactly as described, what doesn't come across is the lovely quirkiness. There are fabulous front of house staff, Daniel & Sidi spring to mind but all were great. The head chef and his team are to be commended for the wonderful food. We stayed AI, which was just as well because I fractured my ankle 3 days before the holiday and so was unable to walk even the short distance into town. The room was in good condition, clean & functional with a lovely little balcony at the back of the hotel. The views from the terraces are stunning. The lift was a bit tempremental, my friend had an unsettling incident when the lift stuck, lights went out and ended in the basement, thankfully a one off event! Do not lose your towel card, it will set you back €20. The pool bar is manned by a super guy, Christian, so helpful to me in my incapacitated state. The pool is deep, 2.7m with no handrail on the steps but people were just going carefully. In the blurb about the hotel it clearly states not suitable for people with mobility issues, and I would agree although I did manage to get around the various terraces with care. Would love to return without the fracture to fully appreciate the location.

Room very small, difficult to get into the wardrobe without a bit of a struggle. Our balcony/terrace never cleaned. Bird droppings everywhere, table, chairs floor. Not pleasant to sit out there to be honest

Hotel Ariston was quaint & quirky! The food was excellent and because it wasn't too large , you got to chat to the same people. .. & for me that's important as I was on my own