It’s no secret that Italy is great for a dramatic coastal escape. From Tuscany's sun-drenched shores to Sicily's cinematic cliffside retreats, some of the country's most memorable stays are found where land and sea collide.
Even better news is that there are stays with breathtaking views, thoughtful design and exceptional hospitality aplenty that won’t break the bank, and that include Versilia Lido | Una Esperienze and UNA Hotels Capotaormina.
© UNA Hotels CapotaorminaPart of the country’s largest Italian-owned hotel chain, UNA Italian Hospitality, these two coastal hotels are rewriting the rulebook of affordable luxury, offering an unmistakably Italian sense of place that is making them increasingly popular among discerning British holidaymakers.
The former is a wellness-focused retreat on Tuscany’s elegant Versilia coast, where beach clubs, cycling routes and spa days are always on the agenda. The latter clings to the cliffs of Taormina in Sicily, with views stretching across the Ionian Sea to Mount Etna.
© UNA Hotels CapotaorminaHere’s what makes them each so special…
Versilia Lido | UNA Esperienze
Part of the UNA Esperienze collection, a selection of luxury hotels, resorts and apartments in Italy which offer an authentic cultural experience, this hotel is positioned perfectly for exploring wide stretches of golden sand and northwestern Tuscany's most glamorous seaside towns.
© Versilia Lido | UNA EsperienzeIncreasingly, however, the hotel says it is attracting travellers embracing the idea of ‘Vitamin T’ – travel as a form of self-care. It's a destination where relaxation is always on the agenda, and where mornings are spent by the sea and evenings drift effortlessly into aperitivo hours. What more could you want?
Spacious rooms and apartments, many with private balconies, mean it is growing in appeal for families and longer stays. Plus, the dedicated children's areas, tennis courts and padel facilities ensure there is plenty to keep guests of all ages entertained beyond the beach. The hotel has also recently refreshed the Versilia Spa, home now to a heated pool, sauna, steam room, sensory showers and ice waterfall.
© Versilia Lido | UNA EsperienzeThere is one main showstopper, though: the hotel’s panoramic sea-view terrace. Overlooking Viareggio and stretching towards the Gulf of Poets, it provides front-row seats to Tuscany's most spectacular sunsets. As the sky turns shades of amber and rose, you can touch down for aperitivi before settling into an evening beneath the stars.
UNA Hotels Capotaormina
Perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Ionian Sea on the northeastern side of Sicily, UNA Hotels Capotaormina appears to suspend between sky and water, with the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Etna rising in the distance. Located in Taormina, which is often described as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, consider it one of Sicily's most iconic addresses that is increasingly attracting couples, honeymooners and travellers searching for romance.
© UNA Hotels CapotaorminaContemporary and design-led, the hotel's rooms have a soft and sophisticated aesthetic that maximises comfort, while honouring connection to the surrounding landscape. You can choose between views of the turquoise sea or the hotel's lush gardens, each offering its own sense of tranquillity.
Beyond the rooms, a spectacular saltwater swimming pool carved directly into the cliffside feels like a natural extension of the coastline itself. Reached through a tunnel cut into the rock, the secluded area is separated from the rest of the hotel, and surrounded by sun loungers, umbrellas and uninterrupted sea views – the sort of place where hours (very welcomely) slip away.
© UNA Hotels CapotaorminaEqually impressive is UNA Hotels Capotaormina’s private beach, tucked beneath the cliffs at the edge of the promontory. Accessible through another rock tunnel, it has the sparkling Mediterranean on one side and the rugged coastline on the other, fully capturing the sense of wanderlust that leans into UNA Italian Hospitality’s mission to redefine Italian luxury.
To learn more or book Versilia Lido | UNA Esperienze and UNA Hotels Capotaormina, visit www.unaitalianhospitality.com.
