Artemisia Palace Hotel

From its historic palazzo façade to its elegant lobby, this hotel is classically Sicilian, yet modern, and draws couples, families, and small groups of tourists. Contemporary chairs and antique-style white leather couches make a statement against the gold-and-black marble tile floor, while columns tower into the recessed ceilings hung with bespoke, wood-cut chandeliers. Gauzy gray and white drapes bring a sober quality to the lobby, while the gilded crest behind the front desk adds a regal flair to the space and overall, the hotel feels classic and fresh at the same time. There are several places to sit in the small lobby, though it lacks street views and doesn’t seem appropriate for relaxing over an afternoon coffee. A quaint, bright breakfast area at the back of the lobby is open throughout the day, but isn’t really a place to linger either.

On one of the busy, siren-filled streets in central Palermo, many of the city’s major sights are within walking distance from the hotel, and a 10-minute walk leads to the historic port and lovely Mediterranean promenades along La Cala. The historic Castellammare neighborhood—a warren of small alleys and narrow lanes built around what was once a sprawling market—is a 10-minute walk from the hotel as well. The city’s impressive main opera house, Teatro Massimo, is also 10 minutes from the hotel on foot, while the buzzing Mercato il Capo is a 15-minute walk. The up-and-coming Kalsa area, which is rapidly filling with boutiques and trendy restaurants, and the Palermo Cathedral are both about 20 minutes away on foot, or less than 10 minutes by car or taxi. The Mondello Beach is a 20-minute car ride from the hotel and is great for families or tourists looking to soak up some Sicilian sun next to turquoise seas. Palermo Airport is the city’s closest and takes 30 minutes to reach by car or taxi, while Palermo’s main train station is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

Alternating dark and light gray shades give the room a modern, minimalist appeal, with light tile floors, gauzy drapes, and bursts of color in wall art that ranges from Gustav Klimt reproductions to bold graphic novel illustrations. Padded headboards add a soft touch to the rooms, while Ikea-style furniture in driftwood shades makes a contemporary, if neutral, statement. Beds aren’t the best and can be quite firm, with comforters and bright throw pillows, while all rooms have desks, small flat-screen TVs, electric kettles (though coffee and tea are not free), telephones, electric safes, and individually controlled air-conditioning. Sofa beds are available in some Double Rooms and many rooms also have French doors leading onto Juliet balconies, though this does translate into a lot of street noise, which can be a major issue. En-suite bathrooms are tiled in colors ranging from blue to gray and are reasonably spacious with generic fixtures, old hairdryers, and small walk-in showers or bathtub/shower combos depending on the room. We noticed some dirty grout when we visited and the bathrooms overall aren’t as stylish as the guest rooms. The hotel has one chic Suite with a separate sleeping area and upgraded, sleek furniture, while Triple Rooms are available on the hotel’s top floor, though low ceilings can make them feel cramped.

This hotel is slim on features beyond its breakfast buffet, which is good and includes plenty of hot and cold options as well as Italian specialties and cakes, though it is only included with certain bookings. Breakfast may also be taken in guest rooms and wine is available on site, though the hotel doesn’t have the dedicated cocktail lounge that it claims on its website. This is an elevator building and the hotel does have handicap-accessible guest rooms, though guests with small children should keep in mind that cribs are not free. Small pets, though, are allowed here for free with prior notice, and the hotel has a deal with a parking garage just a block away for a discounted rate. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and laundry and dry cleaning services can also be arranged, while the 24-hour front desk can provided concierge services.