Lido Caparena Hotel, Taormina

This hotel has a huge private beach and a large pool that is covered quickly if the weather is bad. The tropical gardens are well maintained and very attractive. The rooms are a bit 80's though. However, you need to be aware of the location. The very busy main coast road runs a few metres behind the hotel (so go for a sea view) and between the hotel and the beach runs the railway line. To get to the beach you have to go through an underpass. The rail line is fairly busy and some freight trains woke us in the night and early morning. Another drawback is the general location. To get to Taormina you must either take a taxi (�18) or book the courtesy coach. This was a problem because it was regularly overbooked and at night only runs at 7 and 9 up to town, and 9 and 11 coming back. So you may find yourself waiting for the driver to take one load then come back for you. The journey is about 15 minutes. There is absolutely nothing near the hotel so you will undoubtedly find yourself in town each night.