Hotel Isabella

Hotel Isabella is one of the more affordable ways to sleep in Taormina's historic centre. It is located in the pedestrian heart of the town, close to Corso Umberto, so the Greek Theatre, the Duomo and the restaurants and shops are on your doorstep. The rooms are simple and the facilities modest, and the main appeal is the location and the price, which is welcome in a town where seafront hotels can be very expensive. It is a practical base for independent travellers who plan to spend their days out exploring and use the hotel to sleep.

Location and getting around: staying in the old town means you can walk to the Greek Theatre in minutes, wander the Corso and the side lanes at any hour and reach the Villa Comunale gardens easily. The cable car and buses to Mazzarò beach and Isola Bella leave from nearby, and the town's bus stop serves trips to the station and Catania. Expect crowds on the Corso in the evening during summer, and some noise from restaurants and visitors.

The rooms and the experience: rooms are straightforward and clean, with the basics you would expect from a budget-to-mid hotel, and some have balconies or views of the town. Breakfast, where offered, is simple. Do not expect resort amenities, but do expect a convenient base and friendly staff. Because the old town is largely pedestrian, ask the hotel about luggage access and taxi drop-off points before arrival, as the final stretch may be on foot.

Who it suits and what to know: budget-conscious travellers, solo visitors and couples who prefer to spend money on tours and meals rather than on a room. It is a smart base for a Mount Etna excursion or a day trip to Syracuse. Light sleepers should request a quiet room. Book early for spring, summer and autumn weekends, since cheaper rooms in the centre sell out first, and confirm what is included in the rate.