Lido Villeggiatura, A Villa Sant' Andrea Beach Club, on the iconic Bay of Mazzaro, officially opened on 10 June 2024 as the first destination beach club of the Belmond portfolio. Launching at Villa Sant’ Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare, it is the ideal spot for families and friends, with dusk to dawn beachside programming embodying the ‘Villeggiatura’ concept – the celebration of an endless Italian summer vacation and lingering for longer. 

CONTEMPORARY MEDITERRANEAN DESIGN MEETS VILLA SANT’ANDREA’S ELEGANCE 

The Mediterranean design of Lido Villeggiatura reflects Villa Sant’Andrea’s journey from charming private summer residence in 1950s to renowned European holiday hideaway with moorish influences, antique tiles and ceramics highlighting Sicily’s craftmanship, but also the natural surroundings of Isola Bella Nature Reserve. 

Inspired by a mid-century aesthetic, the new beach club comes to life with stylish white-and-blue striped sun loungers and chic beach umbrellas evoking the azure shades of the sea. While, for those in search of more privacy, six pristine cabanas become personal sanctuaries with their plush sofas, private sun loungers and tented verandas where alfresco lunches can be directly served and planned with dedicated butler service. 

Enriched with colourful and playful cushions whose lace-inspired “merletto” is typical of the island, each detail is an ode to local traditions. Local straw fabrics embellish the beach bar counter together with bespoke blue lava stone tiles from nearby Mount Etna. 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. 

VILLEGGIATURA: FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 

Lido Villeggiatura has launched a host of activities for the summer season, from sunrise yoga to watersports; coastal boat trips onboard the new Apreamare Gozzo 35, with various journeys including a visit to the Nature Reserve of Isola Bella for snorkelling. In the evening, expect live DJ sets and cinema under the stars. The weekly timetable includes Wednesday morning wellness, with a beachside aromatherapy session centred around energy revival, while on Thursdays, guests are invited to complimentary sunrise yoga classes. Guests can also unwind by the water’s edge with a signature treatment at one of its six pristine cabanas.

Throughout the summer season, DJs seamlessly shift the atmosphere from day to night with aperitivos at sunset, curated by Bar Manager Fabio Rosella and expertly paired with canapes and seafood barbecue bites by Executive Chef Agostino D’Angelo. Whilst the annual Midsummer-night party on 14 August hosts live music and indulgent Mediterranean-style feasts. Finally, for the third year running, Villa Sant’Andrea’s cinema and champagne evening by the beach makes its return. Hosted in the cabanas, the story of an Italian summer romance ‘Call me by your name’ will unfold on screen while a local band plays the movie’s most popular tracks and dinner is paired with chilled champagne.

Guests and visitors are invited to savour in Villa San’t Andrea’s restaurants, all perched on their own exclusive shoreline, from a bespoke dinner at Brizza to immersive culinary experiences with Chef D’Angelo accompanied by rare Etna wine aged at sea, delicious seafood lunches at Ristorante Sant’Andrea, and Brace Grill at Bar Sant’Andrea, where pizza and grilled local fish are prepared on sight. Later in the season, special Michelin-starred dinners will be announced, hosting guest Chefs from around the world.   

ENDS 

Lido Villeggiatura is open daily for guests and visitors until the hotel closes on 3 November. 

Complimentary sunbeds and umbrellas are included in Villa Sant’Andrea’s room rate. 

Rates for visitors start from EUR 300.00 (including VAT) for private beach access, two sunbeds, a beach umbrella, towels, daily amenities, WiFi and digital publications.  

For guests and visitors, private cabanas start at EUR 1,000.00 for up to four guests. This includes a comfortable tented lounge area with a veranda, sun lounger, and sofa, as well as access to a minibar with complimentary soft drinks and a bottle of champagne, special hotel amenities, and cabana butler service.  

Personalised experiences can be organised at an additional cost from a private cabana picnic to an exclusive one-hour boat tour for two people in Taormina Mare.  

For more information and reservations, please contact Villa Sant’Andrea at +39 0942 6271 200 or rsv.vsa@belmond.com. 

NOTES FOR EDITORS 

Images of Lido Villeggiatura, A Villa Sant’Andrea Beach Club, can be downloaded via this link. 

Images of Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare, can be downloaded via this link.