03 Apr Belmond Launches: Lido Villeggiatura, A Villa Sant’Andrea Beach Club
In May 2024 the Lido Villeggiatura, A Villa Sant’Andrea Beach Club will launch on the tranquil shores of the Bay of Mazzarò, in Taormina Mare. Inspired by the hotel’s timeless Mediterranean charm, famously a private villa until the 1950s, the new club will host beachside programming from dusk till dawn. The first of the portfolio, this is an ideal destination for families and friends to revel in each other’s company and enjoy an endless Italian summer, curated by Belmond.
LIDO VILLEGGIATURA, WHERE THE MEDITERRANEAN MEETS VILLA SANT’ANDREA’S ELEGANCE
At Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare, the Lido Villeggiatura promises to be an intimate and vibrant Italian escape where guests can admire the bay’s secluded shores and the ethereal Isola Bella Nature Reserve – a popular stop off for yachts and sailing boats, snorkelling and watersport activities.
The Mediterranean design of Lido Villeggiatura reflects the natural heritage of its surroundings. Using a mid-century aesthetic, the new beach club will come to life with stylish white-and-blue striped sun loungers and chic beach umbrellas. Six pristine cabanas with a tented veranda, plush sofas and private sun loungers become personal sanctuaries for those in search of more privacy, with a dedicated butler service and alfresco lunches served directly by the beach.
Enriched with colourful and playful cushions whose lace-inspired “merletto” is typical of the island, eachdetail will be an ode to local traditions. Local straw fabrics will embellish the beach bar counter together with bespoke lava stone tiles from nearby Mount Etna, reflecting the azure shades of the marine surroundings. Recalling the hotel’s historical gardens, Sicilian terracotta vases and subtropical plants enrich the space, with white sun sails and curtains swaying in the sea breeze, it’s the ideal backdrop for a carefree summer spent in Sicily.
FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
For a relaxed beachside summer by the Sicilian Sea, the programming at Lido Villeggiatura is designed to cater to every need and involve all senses. With an all-day dedicated beach conciergerie, guests can have their ‘pennichella’ (i.e. short nap) at their sunbed or cabana before joining watersport activities throughout the day. Wellness rituals include sunrise yoga by the water’s edge and signature wellness treatments in the private cabanas.
At the vibrant new beach bar, guests can unwind with coastal cocktails, zesty aperitivos and special Sicilian granitas served throughout the day. Celebrating the typical Sicilian sense of community, Sundays bring an invitation to join authentic ‘Villeggiatura’ game sessions, playing cards and board games with family and friends as Italians do, while DJs and live music will set the vibe in the evening for sundowners and seafood barbecues curated by Executive Chef Agostino D’Angelo and Bar Manager Fabio Rosella.
To celebrate the partnership of Villa Sant’Andrea with Taormina Film Festival, movie lovers are invited to open-air cinema nights at the cabanas between June and September presenting Italian film classics from the 1950s and 1960s alongside themed dinners under the stars. Tide-to-table gastronomy is served by the water’s edge at Brizza, where the Chef will curate an immersive culinary experience for eight tables only, exploring the finest Sicilian seafood delicacies paired with outstanding wines such as one of the rarest Sicilian labels aged beneath the sea. Next to the gentle waves on the beach, bespoke candlelit dinners for two can also be planned with a delectable four-course menu of local specialties.
A gateway for exploring the surrounding nature reserve and coastal Sicily, the beach club’s new private boat Apreamare Gozzo 35 is available from the hotel’s reopening on 28 March with a range of customizable activities. Constructed by the Aprea family, master boat builders from Sorrento, guests can tailor their onboard itinerary to visit charming destinations such as Isola Bella, Acitrezza and Siracusa, exploring every corner of the enchanting coast with ease. Champagne-paired picnics and snacks are served during the adventure but, for an even more intimate and signature experience, the Gozzo can also be reserved for sunset aperitivos with views of Mount Etna.