Salita Belmonte 43, Palermo, Italy
Beautiful Art Nouveau style and decor throughout hotel
Spectacular location overlooking the bay
Free shuttle bus to Palermo city center
Fitness center and pool
Private beach and tennis court
Tranquil setting
Conference center for business travelers
Fee for Wi-Fi in rooms
Far from city center
Parking can be scarce
Thin walls; main building sometimes loud
Restaurant on the expensive side
The Grand Hotel Villa Igiea offers a magnificent and ornate example of Sicily's 19th-century architectural history. Visitors have noted that this is considered one of the best, if not the best, hotel in Palermo. While it is luxurious, there are some aspects of the property that could use updating, particularly the furnishings in individual rooms. The grounds, however, are spectacular. The outdoor pool was built to incorporate ancient stone ruins. Inside, there’s a romantic bar with vaulted stone ceilings and wall frescoes and a restaurant replete with glass chandeliers and 19th-century oil paintings.
Scene
Grand old hotel on the outskirts of Palermo that attracts history buffs and older sightseers
Both the interior and exterior architecture of the Grand Hotel Villa Igiea preserve the grandeur of this castle-like property, a splendid example of Sicilian Art Nouveau style built in the late 19th century. Because of its slight remove from the bustle of the city of Palermo, and also possibly because of its elevated tariffs, the hotel tends to draw a slightly older crowd to its 116 rooms. Villa Igiea is also a very popular wedding and convention destination, and thus can be quite busy and loud.
Location
Short drive to Palermo’s city center; 30 minutes by car to the airport
The property sits just outside Palermo and is about 30 minutes from the airport, with a view overlooking the bay that can’t be beat. Visitors who haven't rented a car have two main options for getting to the city: An hour-long walk, or the free shuttle to Palermo’s city center run by the hotel. Guests have remarked that the shuttle is infrequent and ends early, making dining in town a potential challenge.
Rooms
Elegant manor decor in large rooms; some furnishings are a bit dated
Villa Igiea has spaces ranging in size from standard Classic Rooms to Deluxe Rooms Plus, with the latter offering living areas and private balconies. Ochre and sage tones abound in rooms that are elegantly outfitted in heavy drapery and tapestry wallpaper. As is often the case in Italy, a king or queen bed may consist here of two mattresses put together. Walls can be thin, and hence a room away from the main building may be desirable for the purpose of reduced noise. Wi-Fi is available in all rooms for a fee.
Features
Outdoor terrace and bar overlooking the marina
Guests have noted that the pool is on the small side for a hotel of this size and caliber, but has views of the bay. Visitors have also remarked that the restaurant, while offering quality food and a good selection of wine, can be outrageously expensive. There's a business center and a small gym with a handful of exercise machines. The private beach is accessible via a cliff-side walkway.