Via Nicolo' Gallo 2, Palermo, Italy
Central Palermo location
within walking distance of major landmarks
Antique and contemporary
design elements with authentic art deco furniture
Breakfast is free with
hot, cold, and made-to-order options
Lobby lounge and bar as
well as rooftop terrace (summer only)
Stylish, clean guest
rooms with individually controlled air-conditioning
Discounts available for
local attractions like golf and Turkish baths
24-hour front desk with
concierge services
Private airport transfers
and car rental services available
Laundry and ironing
services available
Business center and two
on-site meeting rooms
Wi-Fi is free throughout
Electrical outlets aren’t
convenient in guest rooms and can be glitchy
Some guest room furniture shows wear
Group tours can make
breakfast busy
No fitness center or pool
on-site
The 47-room, upper-middle-range Hotel Plaza Opera offers stylish rooms that blend antique and contemporary features to create a comfortable and convenient base in the center of Palermo. There are many landmarks within walking distance and the narrow lanes of the historic Castellammare district are just 15 minutes away on foot. The hotel serves a free breakfast with hot and cold options as well as Italian specialties, and amenities like free Wi-Fi and a rooftop terrace add extra value to a stay here. Guests looking for a room in the trendy Kalsa district should try the Hotel Porta Felice, which has a small pool, fitness center, and rates often at a slightly lower price point.
Scene
Classic and contemporary design features that draws group tours
At first glance, the hotel’s generic modern façade won’t inspire any soliloquies, especially given the charming classical buildings that surround it, but once inside the impression changes. The hotel’s design is simultaneously classic and contemporary, with vintage accents complementing modern design elements throughout. There is an eye-catching seating area to the right of the front desk, with antique art deco couches, marble tile, and a large dystopian landscape painting that at first seems like a risky aesthetic choice, but reflects the rich black, orange, and white motif throughout the lobby. A cozy cocktail area with gray walls, vintage hardwood furniture, and a fireplace is a perfect place to relax after a day touring the city, and in warmer months the hotel has a plant-lined rooftop terrace with views across Palermo. The hotel sees several large group tours, though couples, families, and business travelers are welcome here too.
Location
Central Palermo; guests can walk to the Castellammare neighborhood in 15 minutes
On a narrow street at the edge of Palermo’s Borgo Vecchio neighborhood, the hotel is within walking distance of many shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as several sights and landmarks. The neoclassic Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, home to the Palermo Symphony, is just around the corner, a two-minute walk from the hotel, while Castellammare’s narrow warren of lanes are a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The striking and once-scandalous fountain of Piazza Pretoria is less than 20 minutes from the hotel on foot as it the Palermo Cathedral. For families and guests looking for sea and sun in their journey, the Mondello Beach is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, while destinations like the bustling Ballaro Street Market and the Albergheria area but can be reached in about 15 minutes by taxi, or 25 minutes on foot. The city’s main airport is about 35 minutes away by taxi or car depending on traffic.
Rooms
Modern rooms with art deco influences
Guest rooms continue the juxtaposition of art deco and contemporary elements found in the hotel’s common areas. The combination of rich warm brown hues and white linens create a sophisticated feel. Rooms are filled with thoughtful details, like throw pillows and bed runners that match the botanical prints and antique lithographs on the walls. Vintage bedside tables pop against light wood laminate floors, though the in-room desk and TV stand looked worn when we visited. Beds are comfortable and have carved art deco style headboards, and all rooms have electric safes, flat-screen TVs, individually controlled air-conditioning, and telephones. There aren’t many power outlets in the rooms and plugs don’t always work. Superior Rooms and higher booking categories include electric kettles and free bottles of water as well as trouser presses. The Corallo and Agata Suites are both exuberant and stylish, and careful attention has been paid to balance wild design features, like raffia lamps in the Agata Suite, with sober color schemes and contemporary wall art. The Corallo Suite has a large terrace with views of Palermo and both suites include hot tubs. En-suite bathrooms are clean and bright across the board, but the tan marble vanities and dated fixtures aren’t the nicest we’ve seen, even if bathrooms do have heated towel racks, bathtub/shower combos, and local Ortigia toiletries.
Features
Free breakfast, lobby bar, and rooftop terrace
Free breakfast with continental options, Italian specialties, and eggs made to order is included with every booking, and the hotel also provides espresso-based coffees during breakfast service, which is a nice step up from the machine-made coffee at so many area hotels. A small bar in the lobby provides coffees, cocktails, local wines, and light snacks throughout the day for guests to enjoy in the adjacent lounge or on the rooftop terrace during warmer months. The hotel has deals with local retailers for exclusive discounts, including on the Turkish baths around the corner and the Villa Airoldi Golf Club, and there are two on-site meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 50 guests with audiovisual services and catering. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and the 24-hour front desk can help arrange rental cars, airport transfers, and provide concierge services, while laundry and ironing services are also available.