Excelsior Palace

Historic hotels run the risk of looking dated, but many of Mercure Palermo Excelsior’s original aspects are still impressive and are flaunted with an appealing enthusiasm. Set in one of the many palazzos scattered about Palermo, a red-carpeted marble staircase becomes visible upon walking through the front door. Vintage red leather furniture combines with modernist mirrors and patterned marble floors to create a throwback vibe that’s a fitting welcome to Palermo. There are plenty of places to relax with a free newspaper throughout the lobby and the hotel’s restaurants. The breakfast rooms are a magnificent way to start the day amidst white-marble floors, damask walls, and glittering chandeliers. Exe Restaurant & Bar is outfitted with original furniture by Italian set designer Giorgio Pes and the Art Nouveau lines add a retro flair to a space that feels stuffy otherwise. This hotel primarily attracts couples and business travelers, though families stay here as well.

Situated on a quiet block next to a small garden, this hotel’s central Palermo address is within walking distance of restaurants and cafes as well as the luxury boutiques of Via della Liberta, just around the corner. Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, the Palermo Symphony’s Neoclassical home, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel and there are two lovely parks, Giradino Inglese and Villa Trabia, just six minutes from the hotel to the east or west. Walks to the historic Albergheria and Castellammare neighborhoods take longer (20 to 25 minutes) though a taxi can complete the same journeys in 15 minutes. The Comande Prestia bus to Palermo Airport is a 10-minute walk from the hotel at Politeama and takes about 40 minutes to reach the airport. The same trip by car or taxi will take about 30 minutes, and a taxi to Palermo Centrale Train Station will take 15 to 20 minutes.

Guest rooms are classic and elegant, with framed walls and soft tan-and-white striped wallpaper, while striped bed skirts and orange curtains provide bright pops of color. There are lovely classical elements throughout, like antique wood nightstands, black-and-white lithographs, and gilded frame mirrors, but some elements look less polished, like the abundance of exposed chords around the desks and the slightly worn orange carpets. All rooms are spacious, with Classic Rooms starting at 23 square meters, or 248 square feet, and every room includes an electronic safe, desk, mini-fridge with minibar, electric kettle, flat-screen TV, telephone, and individually controlled air-conditioning. Rooms feature at least one comfortable tan armchair and larger rooms, like Superior and Deluxe Rooms, have larger seating areas around small tables. Twin, double, and king beds are comfortable, with padded headboards, and several rooms have small balconies overlooking the street or the neighboring garden. Attic rooms have no windows, but do include skylights for natural light, and interior rooms may look out onto unattractive light wells. Good-size bathrooms are clean, with marble floors and walls as well as large marble vanities. Superior and Deluxe Rooms have separate walk-in showers and bathtubs, while Classic Rooms have bathtub/shower combos, and all rooms include high-end Peter Thomas Roth toiletries, hairdryers, and heated towel racks.

For guests looking to maintain a workout routine, the hotel has a small, 24-hour fitness center with several cardio options and a basic selection of free weights as well as towels and filtered water. Massage, sauna, and beauty services can be booked through the hotel at off-site locations. A great breakfast with hot and cold options is served daily in Liberty Hall, but is only included with certain bookings. Exe Restaurant & Bar offers modern takes on traditional Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine as well as straightforward items like hamburgers and cocktails, and room service is available until late, though the restaurant can be pricey compared to many of the more authentic, local eateries in the area. There are two elegant on-site conference rooms with space for up to 70 guests as well as a staffed business center, and while Wi-Fi is free in the hotel’s lobby there is a fee for Wi-Fi in guest rooms. The hotel’s front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and a concierge can arrange everything from private cars with drivers to boat rentals and tours. The hotel offers convenient valet parking, which can be expensive, for guests with cars, and the hotel allows small pets. Laundry services are available and babysitting service services can also be arranged upon request.