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The hotel has kept the original structure and suggestive monastic
atmospheres of the ancient convent, with cloisters, frescoes and
rooms created from ancient cells. The challenge with this project
was precisely to give a new appearance to a place imbued with
austerity and sacredness, that was both luxury and future-proof.
The source of inspiration was the place itself, such as in the new
paving of the cloister porticoes, where octagonal slabs recall
those of the ancient sacristy. The materials follow the same line
of thought, with the introduction of Modica Stone and Port Laurent
marble from Morocco, in the spirit of the Sicilian architectural tra-
dition of reusing ancient materials and Arabic cultural influences.
The colours are pale and neutral, with the generous use of antiqued
and fumé mirrored glass creating scenographic three-dimensional
perspectives, which are elegant without being opulent.
111 rooms and suites, including 19 with a private pool, are located
between the ancient complex, where they have replaced the
ancient monastic cells, and the adjacent 19th-century building,
built when the convent was transformed into a hotel.
The interiors are welcoming and luxurious. Custom furnishings
were made exclusively by Poliform Contract, which also curated
other aspects of the interior design. As the ancient convent
dates back to the 14th-century, no two rooms are quite the same:
ad-hoc furniture was therefore designed and fitted into each room,
adapting perfectly to the environment. The materials used are
Canaletto walnut, Patagonia marble, bronze-brushed brass and
antiqued mirrored glass. The style is sober and elegant, expressing
a contemporary aesthetic that is respectful of the past and
enhances the specific character of each room, such as the por-
traits of saints above the doors, chosen by each monk to protect
their room. In keeping with the requirements of a luxury hotel,
from precious finishings to the latest technology, the standard is
extremely high.
The common areas are in the former convent. At its heart is the
ancient refectory, now the Museum room, where part of the im-
portant collection of paintings once belonging to the convent is
on display. Art consultant James Robertson curated the selection
of works, dating between the late 16th and the 19th centuries and
attributed to painters of the Sicilian or Southern schools. In the
majestic hall, the Taormina stone fireplace and the ancient bread
trough were both restored along with the original walnut boiserie. In
the centre of the room, sofas, armchairs and coffee tables create
intimate and comfortable sitting areas, where guests can indulge
in the artworks and the atmosphere.
Areas dedicated to conviviality include the Anciovi restaurant
with a panoramic terrace, the bar in the Chiostro Grande and the
Principe Cerami restaurant. In the cocktail bar next to the restau-
rant, the large curved bar is an element of rupture. A one-off piece
made in twice-curved fumé mirrored glass with a marble Port-
Laurent top, it was designed by Poliform Contract along with the
vertical mirrored bottle rack, which is completely lit.
The renovation was completed in one year and a half. A team effort
conducted at the highest levels, which rewrites the concept of
luxury and marks a new step in the story of the former convent
and the city of Taormina.