Arriving at the hotel at 9.30pm after a complicated,tiring tour of the roads around Catania Airport we were given the warmest of welcomes by the Hotel Villa Carlotta Taormina reception staff.Within a few minutes we were sitting on the roof terrace at Villa Carlotta overlooking the sea with a glass of cold Mount Etna wine.A few minutes later a table is laid and we are eating a delicious seafood spaghetti.This is a hotel who really understands travel and travellers.The delightful staff cannot do enough for you-booking lovely little restaurants or sorting out your day's itinerary. The location is great,tucked away from pretty Taormina's hustle and bustle and 10 minutes walk down steps to the sea.The rooms are well appointed and relaxing,although we were lucky enough to be upgraded and the gardens are lovely. Even breakfast ,a soulless buffet in so many places,reflected the huge care and effort this hotel makes.Plates brimming full of stuffed peppers and aubergines;dishes of omelettes or fruit and platters of very fattening but delicious looking sweet pastries.The range of options in this bufffet was huge-and all served with a smile. We had one evening dinner in the Grand Hotel Timeo.The food was good,although not quite as tasty as a couple of the smaller restaurants,but the welcome from some of the staff paid to greet you would have frozen a polar ice cap. We were so pleased that we had opted for the warmth and helpfulness of Villa Carlotta,and significantly cheaper too.Highly recommended.