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Orient-Express has signed a binding agreement to
purchase the Grand Hotel Timeo and the Villa Sant’Andrea in
Taormina, Sicily, for a combined price of €81million (US$117
million). After a series of renovations to bring them up to
Orient-Express standard, both hotels will reopen in time for the
summer season 2010.
The 83-key Grand Hotel Timeo is
one of the most luxurious hotels in Taormina and
the 78-key Villa Sant’Andrea has a private beach on
the Bay of Mazzarò in Taormina Mare.
Orient-Express Hotels will close both hotels, as it does its
existing Italian properties over winter, and upgrade key
facilities, such as bathrooms and the spa.
Built in 1873,
the Grand Hotel Timeo occupies an excellent position in the
historical centre of the city. From the hotel's panoramic terrace,
guests can admire spectacular views of Mount Etna and the bay of
Naxos. Since the 19th century and the era of the Grand Tour, the
hotel has been popular with an elite group of international
travellers, who enjoy the hotel’s unique location, swimming pool,
wellness centre and the parkland which surrounds it. Each guest
room has its own terrace and the hotel's ‘Il Dito e la Luna’
restaurant specialises in regional Sicilian cuisine.
Villa
Sant'Andrea is located on the Bay of Mazzarò, the heart of
Taormina's seaside district. The atmosphere is that of a private
villa, enriched by paintings and antiques and set in lush gardens
just steps away from a private beach. Several of the hotel's
suites open onto a private terrace. The ‘Oliviero’ restaurant, on
a panoramic terrace overlooking the Calabrian coast, is known for
its fish and seafood specialities.
The Grand Hotel Timeo
nestles adjacent to one of the city’s most famous attractions, the
legendary Greek Theatre, dating back to the 2nd century AD. Below,
looking out across the blue waters of the Ionian sea, Villa
Sant’Andrea, built in 1830, is right on the beach. The two
properties are located approximately five kilometers apart and are
linked by a private shuttle.
Sicily, the largest
Mediterranean island, has been growing in popularity as a tourist
destination due to its excellent climate, magnificent scenery and
splendid architectural legacy. The island attracts a mix
of tourists from around the world and its history ranges from
Greek colony to Roman province and from Arab Emirate to Norman
Kingdom.
Perched on a 200 metre high rocky spur called
Monte Tauro on Sicily’s East coast, Taormina overlooks majestic,
sweeping bays and to the South, Mount Etna, often capped with snow
despite the mild climate of the region. The city has good
transport links and is located 40 minutes from Catania
International Airport, which has direct flights to all major
European cities and good connections to those serving the USA.
Commenting on the transaction, Paul White, President
and Chief Executive of Orient-Express Hotels said, “Iconic
properties such as the Grand Hotel Timeo rarely become available.
Both of these hotels typify Orient-Express Hotels’ core business -
established properties with history and personality.”
The transaction brings the number of Orient-Express properties
in Italy to eight. These include Hotel Cipriani and Palazzo
Vendramin in Venice, Villa San Michele in Florence, Hotel
Splendido and Splendido Mare in Portofino and Hotel Caruso in
Ravello.
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