What can I say this Hotel is splendid.
I booked a weeks holiday for my wife in Mrach and I and I have to say this Hotel did not let us down. I paid extra for a balcony with a sea view and was given room 416.This has a fantastic view over the sea and a side view of Mount Etna albeit throughout our stay Etna was cover in mist.

The food in the restaurant was fantastic and the waiters were equally as good.

There was a free hotel bus to the beach or to Taormina town. We went up to Taormina a number of times.A fantastic place but very very expensive so shopping for small presents to take home was not possible.Very designer.

Beach was of lava sand and we could not swim on the day we went because of an influx of jelly fish.

In all though a fantastic holiday with only one small complaint:

Price of drinks in hotel...16 euros for a gin and tontic 7 euros for a half a beer...needless to say bought my own Gin and drank it before dinner on my balcony ( 14 euros for 70cl in Taormina )

Wine not too bad I settled for a Scilian wine 'MURGO' ETNA that was made near by. VG and at 22 euros a bottle a steal.

Have just returned from a two week stay at this hotel and what an absolutley fantastic place! It was for our wedding anniversay and we originally booked a standard room, but on arrival we were upgraded to a superior room looking out towards Mt Etna. Half way through our stay on return from the beach we were informed at the reception that there was a problem with our air conditioning so were given a room with a huge balcony overlooking the med and wow what a view!!
The staff a the hotel were always extreemly polite and nothing was too much trouble.
There are shuttle buses (mercedes people carriers!!) that take you to the beach and into town on regular intervals.
During our stay Liza Minelli was playing in concert at the ampitheatre in town and was staying in the hotel.
Overall the hotel isnt the cheapest you will find but it made our holiday on of the best we have had and would definitley return.

We chose this hotel to celebrate our Silver Wedding and were not disappointed. From the moment we made our booking the staff were fantastic. They arranged our transfer from the airport to the hotel, we had mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary and on arrival at the hotel we were congratulated and shown to our Suite. This was a beautiful room, simply but perfecty furnished and the bed was as comfortable as ours at home. It was a large airy room with plenty of storage space and a large settee and coffee table, small dining table and a very large balcony with a magnificent view of the sea. In the room on our arrival were a large bouquet of peach roses, an overful fruit bowl and champagne on ice!

We asked for extra hangers and these came in moments. the marble bathroom was large and well equipped. The towels were changed twice a day and the cleaning of both the bathroom and bedroom was exemplarary.

We decided to go exploring and asked at Reception how to get to town - we were given directions but it was suggested that we take the hotels shuttle bus as it was leaving in a few minutes. Far from having to book the shuttle in advance as previous reviewers have stated, you can book it when you require it. On one occasion, there were too many people waiting for the shuttle (some had booked and some had just turned up) so the driver simply did two runs, one after another. This certainly happened on more than one occasion while we were staying and the hotel were only too happy to accommodate guests requesting to take the shuttle bus.

We ate in the hotel on several occasions both in the "snack bar" and the restaurant. The "snack bar" was where lunch was served - this was silver service of the highest order, but the food was simple and light perfect for a snack in the middle of the day. The restaurant in the evening was almost magical - the setting was beautiful with soft lighting illuminating the plants and the only smell was that of the plantation - orange and lemon trees and of course the food. The food - where do I start - it was amazing. It was impossible to fault. It was imaginative and beautiful to look at and was absolutely delicious. Too delicious in fact! If there was something that was not on the menu, the staff were only too happy to get it for you - nothing it seemed was too much trouble. Breakfast was served in the same restaurant - a wonderful buffet overlooking the most breathtaking view of the med. Again the waiting staff took delight in making sure that the guests needs were met.

The swimming pool was large and there were plenty of sunbeds around the pool - in fact most days we did not make it down to the pool until about 11.00am and there was not one day that there was not a chair available. The moment the pool man saw anyone coming, he was there with towels in his hands ready to help guests settle at their chosen sunbeds which were very comfortable. There were more than enough umbrellas and coffee tables to go around and on one particularly hot day, it seemed as if everyone had their own personal umbrella to shelter under. During our stay the pool was tranquil and relexing, so much so that during a phone call home to my daughter, she doubted we could be around the pool as she could not hear anything!

The location of the hotel is half way up the mountain on the way into town. It is about a 15 minute walk to town, up some stairs and then along the road. Its not a difficult walk but I had problems as I did not have any flat shoes with me and you are not walking on a flat pavement. However we always took the hotel shuttle to town and a cab back to the hotel - 10 euros not cheap but we did not fancy walking back in the dark especially down the unlit steps but many guests did not find it a problem.

The general ambiance of the hotel was one of quiet refinement. We loved the elegance and the beautiful furniture and flowers all around the hotel. To give an example of the ethos of the hotel, on one occasion my husband asked when the hotel shop was open and Francesca on the desk, said that she was not sure of the exact time, but if my husband told her when he wanted to go, she would open it for him. This seems to typify the attitude of the staff here. We only found the staff to be helpful and friendly and this must be a reflection on the Management of the hotel.

We travel extensively, and own homes both in the UK and USA but it has been a long time since we have come to a hotel that is as beautiful as the San Pietro AND offers the service and amenities to go with such a hotel.

I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough.

This is a beautiful hotel in a fantastic surrounding. Reception staff are friendly enough but not attentive enough for the level it purports to be: many times I waited for staff to appear at the desk and sometimes their level of service was hit and miss. At best they were tolerant and at worst they were quite incompetent. Waiting staff are attentive, and the cleaning of the rooms was excellent however.
We booked a Junior Suite but the view was somewhat limited to the breakfast / dinner area below (it was on the 1st floor). Large balcony with tables and chairs though.
Breakfast was impeccable, but the earliest they opened was 7.30am, which was stretching it for an 7.45 departure. No flexibility. They even left us waiting at the door until it really was 7.30!
The location is further down via L. Pirandello than you would ideally want. The biggest challenge was the busy road (single file only!) leading up to the coach / bus station (10-15mins) though there is a set of steps which lead to Via Bagnoli Croce and into the centre (15-20mins).
I understand from previous reviews that the restaurant is excellent but the menu did not appeal and was over priced – along with the bar drinks. The pool area was satisfactory, but you would expect better quality and more comfortable sunloungers, along with a bar beside the pool. Unfortunately the pool attendant did not apprehend the children ‘bombing’ into the pool – again, this spoils the overall atmosphere.

A bus is available to transport guests to the centre (Porta Messina) and their sister hotel (Caparena) which runs a few times in the day. However, they only seat 8 people in one trip and you need to book at least a day in advance, so not only are you not guaranteed it, you need to know what your plans are for tomorrow!
Overall, this is a pleasant hotel located within reach of the centre, but it certainly did not exceed my expectations, compared to similar rated hotels I have staying in Italy. Some other reviews have highly rated the service and experience. It depends on what you are used to I suppose.
A rating of 4 stars and a reduction in room, food and bev prices would make it more realistic. Some of the established 5* hotels in the centre would be my preferred option.