We stayed at the Villa Carlotta during a break in Sicily in January this year (2009). It wasn't the easiest place to find, but some locals helped us get there. Parking is impossible outside, but there is an arrangement with a parking building nearby and the hotel staff will drop off your car and collect it again as you require. This is a boutique hotel in the truest sense of the word, with interior-designed decor, blending modern tones with a traditional approach to accessorising. Beautifully framed etchings of sea shells and the like line the walls and the rooms are very well appointed with stand alone armoires, balconies overlooking the swimming pool (albeit emptied for winter at the time we were there), views out to yonder sea and plenty of space for packing/ leaving suitcases. The beds were comfy, we couldn't hear our neighbours (thankfully) and the bathrooms were well-appointed with everything you could possibly need, from slippers and robes to hairdrier and bidet with a bath OR shower option and plenty of light. BUT the main shortfall of the Villa Carlotta was the front desk staff. They were singularly unhelpful. We were there for New Year's Eve and asked for help booking somewhere for dinner. The receptionist shrugged and told us everywhere was booked. I tried to elicit some sort of assistance out of him but all we got was the suggestion to fork out 150 Euros each for dinner at the Relais & Chateau hotel across the street. In the end, Monsieur and I took to the streets of Taormina, determined to find a table somewhere fun, and found one within 10 minutes. We had a great evening as a result, no thanks to the Villa Carlotta Computer-Says-NO-Receptionist. There were three more occasions where we got the feeling that they just couldn't be bothered, and once when we forgot to leave our key at reception, the guy on duty at the time told us off. Nice hotel, lovely interiors, comfortable rooms, rubbish receptionist. Only stay here if you have patience with lazy staff. read more