- Luxury resort group Belmond has announced Villa Timeo, an exclusive 21 room residence will re-open its doors in May 2026 following an extensive redesign.
- Located in the hilltop town of Taormina on the east coast of Sicily, the property is an off-shoot of the legendary Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, which featured as the key property in season two of the hit HBO series The White Lotus.
- The revamped Villa Timeo was designed by Paris-based interior expert Laura Gonzalez, who infused the property with a contemporary Sicilian design language.
- All of the 21 suites and rooms can be booked independently or by complete buyout when Villa Teimo officially opens to the public in May 2026.
Lately, I’ve found myself dreaming of a Sicilian summer. Perhaps it’s a case of humidity-inspired wanderlust or maybe my pasty white skin is yearning for a little adventure, but there is something about the lure of fresh sardines and sun-swept nights that strikes me as a little more enticing than my steamy Sydney terrace house. It would appear I am not alone.
Ever since season two of the hit HBO series The White Lotus concluded in 2023, travel interest in Sicily, particularly the hilltop region of Taormina on the east coast, has dramatically increased. The region is best-known for its spectacular ancient Greek architecture and picturesque views of the active Mount Etna volcano. However, for all of Taormina’s ancient delights, a modern landmark remains its crowning glory.
Grand Hotel Timeo, the extraordinary setting featured in The White Lotus, is among the world’s most prestigious luxury resorts. Carved into the rocky hills of Sicily’s East coast, the property was first opened in 1873 and has played host to celebrity, royalty, and a who’s who of Golden Era Hollywood elites such as Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. Described as the ultimate artist’s paradise, Grand Hotel Timeo is the kind of bucket list destination that everyone dreams of visiting, but few are able to indulge in.
That may soon change.
Belmond Villa Timeo
Belmond, the luxury resort company behind Grand Hotel Timeo has confirmed that Villa Timeo, an exclusive 21 room residence located just steps away from the legendary homestead, will re-open its doors in May 2026 following an extensive redesign.
Like its sibling, the small-scale property will offer exceptional views over the Mediterranean, Taormina and its ancient Greek amphitheatre with all 21 suites and rooms available to be booked independently or by complete buyout. Guests will be able to enjoy to a private infinity pool, opulent indoor bar, pool terrace bar and lounge. Bookings also unlock full access to the hotel’s amenities and experiences including the Michelin starred Otto Geleng restaurant, Timeo’s lush, terraced gardens and a brand-new Dior spa.
“Our treasured Villa Timeo is the place to discover the art of Sicilian living,” Massimiliano Puglisi, general manager of Grand Hotel Timeo said. “Perfectly poised between tradition and modernity, it offers an experience set apart: here guests can gather to celebrate, to relax or to renew in a space where no detail has been overlooked, from afternoon in-room aperitivo to personalised embroidered pillowcases, just to name a few that will make a stay unexpectedly memorable.”
Villa Timeo Redesign
The new design comes courtesy of Paris-based interior architect Laura Gonzalez, who approached the creative project from a profoundly local-first perspective. Gonzalez’s design draws inspiration from Sicily’s rich heritage, taking guests on a journey through the ancient archeological gems of Taormina to more modern aristocratic Sicilian past.
In the common hotel areas, you’ll find soft white stone, a nod to the ancient Greek theatre, alongside hand-decorated Sicilian maiolica, reminiscent of the grand terraces of Palermo’s noble villas. Importantly, each of the 21 rooms and suites follows a familiar, but not identical framework.
Traditional touches, such as southern Italian stone flooring, antique furniture and classic Italian marble fittings feature throughout, accentuated by striking mid-century classics. There are also fabrics from Pierre Frey, lighting from Vaughan and furniture pieces from Cox London that contrast the natural, traditional aesthetics and textures that so viscerally characterise Sicily as a region.
“I wanted to celebrate the beauty of Sicily through a storytelling approach,” Gonzalez explained. “Villa Timeo is a place of contemplation and culture: it conjures the air of a home that embodies the warmth, poetry and elegance of the island. My intention was to create a balance between heritage and modernity, nature and art, resulting in a design that reflects light, softness and the true soul of Sicily.”
As anyone who watched The White Lotus would know, interiors play only half the story. Just as the pool bars and daybeds served as poignant settings at Grand Hotel Timeo, so too do they shine at Villa Timeo. Lush sun-kissed terraces overlook Naxos Bay, while the newly renovated pool terrace, complete with shady pergola and sea-blue geometric tiles, provides unparalleled vistas of the Sicilian landscape.
An Artist’s Paradise
As a writer myself, I’m almost ashamed to admit my knowledge of Taormina is localised entirely to HBO, particularly when you consider the remarkable artistic heritage that this region boasts. The Grand Hotel Timeo’s Literary Terrace, for instance, is the very setting where, in 1920, DH Lawrence was inspired to write his masterpiece Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
With Villa Timeo, Belmond and Gonzalez have celebrated this unique connection to the arts in delightful fashion. Not only does each room feature tapestries designed by Taorminan artist Alessandro Florio, but guests can learn how to create a masterpiece of their own from the man himself.
Florio will host painting and art classes as part of Villa Timeo’s exclusive experience offering, giving unprecedented access to one of the region’s most revered local artists. This is matched by a mindfulness mixology experience at the new intimate Clementina bar, and poolside wellness moments including daily sunrise yoga sessions. Guests can also enjoy private guided visits to the nearby ancient Greek theatre, Ape Calessino tours of Taormina or sailing experiences to discover Isola Bella and the natural beauties of the Sicilian coast.
Belmond Villa Timeo Opening and Bookings
The reopening of Villa Timeo, while small and intimate, represents a defining moment in the Belmond portfolio. The heritage residence, which celebrates the diverse richness of a Sicilian history infused with Greek, Spanish, Roman and Byzantine influences, is a profound continuation of the group’s emphasis on slow luxury. To the discerning traveller, there is no substitute for quality time and no place as spectacular set up for tranquility than the hilltop commune of Taormina.
While there is no official launch date, Belmond has confirmed that Villa Timeo will open to the public in May 2026. All 21 suites and rooms will be available for booking, including the flagship Clementina suite. For more information or to request a booking, visit the Belmond Villa Timeo website.
