Monaci Delle Terre Nere

I find it hard to write a bad review as we generally enjoy all hotels we stay at but this place sadly really did not compare. For somewhere which charges nearly 5* +++ prices a night, you’d expect top level everything which unfortunately we feel this hotel just didn’t deliver. We have stayed at a number of relais and chateaux properties and have always found them to be wonderful, sadly not the case here. This hotel is rustic but not in a charming way, it feels very run down and tired. Rooms are incredibly basic and not at all what you’d expect for the price sum, beds basic and uncomfortable, bathrooms tired (and mouldy in some examples!). One room we stayed in did not have a shower, just a very old bath which you had to climb in for the shower and another room had a shower opening onto a weird internal roof!? Lots of broken appliances, rooms very dark etc etc. The hotel is very spread out which is wonderful as it does create a sense of privacy and it’s nice and peaceful at night so zero noise pollution which is always wonderful! but getting around is quite painful - the hotel do make this easy with golf cart transfers but it can feel like a bit of a faff. Breakfast is a super super steep climb and if you were elderly or struggled with mobility, this would cause a challenge. Breakfast itself is very very basic with not a great range of offerings, anything more substantial from the à la carte incurs an extra charge - which is just bizarre! €16 for very basic avocado on toast is a rip off - not even with eggs or salmon, just plain avocado on two small pieces of bread. Speaking of cost - drinks and food are very overpriced. Dinner was delicious and I would say priced top end but for the quality, reasonable - we can’t fault the taste and options, it was excellent. However room service for snacks would cost a minimum of £100 for two people and carries a room service fee of €35 which is incredibly steep just to deliver food!!! The hotel are also very blunt and explicit that you cannot order from that menu at the bar or collect it yourself - nor can you bring food in to the property from outside - which a lot of hotels would turn a blind eye to, especially when options are limited on site. Whilst you cannot blame the hotel for this next point, worth being aware that the location seems to carry its own microclimate being located above sea level. The duration of our stay was cloudy and cold whilst Taormina was warm and sunny. Sadly there is not much to do at the hotel in the poor weather and there are limited shared spaces to relax, this definitely has an adverse effect - some staff are also very rude and unhelpful. For example when we inquired about a wine tour and accidentally found out it was a wine tasting but could not take part due to needing to drive, we were rudely told this was not refundable .. receptionist actually rolled her eyes ?! It was a simple misunderstanding which the very kind guest experience manager did resolve for us but didn’t

An absolute stunning, and, unique setting. You feel like you are living amidst the Vineyards and the rooms are scattered around the property. The main house with its pool and terraces is beautifully appointed. The staff could not have been nicer- specially, the dining service staff, including the chef. He remembered my favorite fruit, and made a dessert with it specifically for my last night! The only reason I’m giving it four stars, and not five is because, while the dining and pricing was five star (30 euro cocktails!) the room accommodations were not. The amenities in the room (Furniture, linens, towels) were not high end and it felt a bit more like a nice Airbnb than a high end room ( we stayed in a signature suite) There are a lot of rugged steps, and walking to be done, so be aware if your mobility is impaired. Typically, you’re picked up in a golf cart at your room and driven over very bumpy roads:) Hearing Mount Etna while reading overlooking the vineyards and ocean view in the distance is an experience I will always remember! Good idea to get an international license and rent a car. Taxi transfers for anything are quite expensive (140 euro Each way to Taormina, for example)

Monaci delle Terre Nere is absolutely stunning—an unforgettable property nestled in the hills near Mt. Etna. The grounds are spectacular, with gorgeous landscaping that blends effortlessly into the natural surroundings. It quickly became one of our favorite stays during our 14-day trip. The food was excellent throughout, and the setting of the main restaurant was truly special. Breakfast and dinner service were consistently very good, and we appreciated the creativity and quality of the cuisine. However, there were a few areas that didn’t quite meet the five-star standard. The bathrooms in our suite were more rustic than expected, and the overall service felt stretched. Check-in took nearly an hour—which, after 24 hours of travel, was frustrating—and the front desk and concierge team, while kind, seemed overwhelmed and understaffed for the size of the property. We also found the bar service at both the pool and Convivium bar lacking, with unfriendly bartenders and slow service. Despite these hiccups, we still really enjoyed our stay and the unique charm of the estate. With a bit more attention to staffing and guest experience, this could easily be one of the best hotels in Sicily.

While I gave it five stars I would prefer to give it 4.5 stars. The overall property is very nice with lots of different physical levels and the service is excellent and dedicated. There is definitely a lot of room for improvement as I would say this is Relais and Château Lite. The bathrooms need to be renovated and the rooms are a bit tired. The pool cushions are as hard as rocks and are literally painful to sit on after a while. The gym literally consists of three pieces of equipment. Not inspiring. The food is good, but the portions are generally expensive for dinner. Our fish consist of pieces that were about 2 1/2“ x 2 1/2”. The smallest fish entree I’ve ever had and it was still €35. Delicious but tiny. All the above deficiencies are fairly easy to fix so that it really can earn the Relais and Chateau designation.

Excellent hotel and countryside,pool chickens, Vineyard treehouse and beautiful rooms and restaurants in the hotel they’re cooking classes and golf carts that drive you for free all over and really really big and nice and fancy excellent hotel you should come

We came here for the food, the relaxing setting, and to experience Etna’s finest wines. We accomplished all three. The food at Licanda Nerello is what you expect from a high end restaurant. Chef Marco is an artist. Wines suggested by Julio were spot on pairings for our meals. We enjoyed a private wine tasting and tour of the incredible cellar. Again, Julio was a gracious wine expert happy to share his knowledge with us. Our room had a view of the sea as well as of Mount Etna. The Convivial Bar is an experience all in itself. Salvatore mixed some amazing drinks and really enjoyed talking about the fresh local ingredients in each of his cocktails. Highly recommended enjoying the extensive property. We will return one day.