Quintocanto Hotel & Spa

Set within an historic 16th-century building, the Quintocanto is a slightly quirky, sometimes elegant, sometimes underwhelming hotel that’s best suited for tourists, especially couples and families, though business travelers occasionally stay here as well. Historical details like stone archways have been preserved in spots throughout the building, while retro decor and contemporary art fill the narrow lobby which has a generous amount of banquette seating, but feels a bit cramped. Some of the hallway lounges are filled with outdated leather furniture and slightly shabby rugs, but the hotel’s bar is quaint and drinks can be taken underneath a lone, towering palm tree in the lovely courtyard terrace, or be brought to the stone-lined reading room or solarium. On-site Locanda del Gusto Restaurant is a chic setting to enjoy seasonal, Sicilian fare with indoor and outdoor tables that draws a mixed tourist and local crowd from across the city.

On a major road right next to the baroque San Giuseppe dei Teatini church and Piazza Vigliena (better known as Quattro Canti), the spectacular history of Palermo is all within walking distance from this hotel. The Palermo Cathedral is a five-minute walk west while the vibrant Ballaro Street Market and winding lanes of the Albergheria are around the corner, seven minutes away on foot. The trendy bars and restaurants of the Kalsa district are a 10-minute walk from the hotel and by walking five minutes further, guests can reach Palermo’s historic port at La Cala. For an evening out, Palermo’s main opera house, Teatro Massimo, is also a 10-minute walk and for guests wanting a scenic day trip away from the city, the Mondello Beach is a 30-minute drive away. Prestia Comande buses to the Palermo Airport leave from Palermo Centrale Rail Station, a 13-minute walk from the hotel, and trips take about 50 minutes, a journey that can be completed by taxi or car in 30 minutes.

Guest rooms have a thoughtfully executed contemporary, rustic charm that gives them a warm, homelike quality. Modern details abound, including accent walls in flat, trendy colors like slate and sage, while faux stone floors look chic and edgy against the warm country-style interior created by white wenge furniture and whitewashed, exposed-beam ceilings (in certain rooms). Beds are comfortable, with duvets and headboards that match the furniture, while reclaimed and repurposed antique elements—like distressed, painted lintels that are mounted on walls in Classic Rooms—are a particularly nice touch. All rooms include vintage and leather chairs, telephones, desks or writing tables, electric safes, small flat-screen TVs, individually controlled air-conditioning, and mini-fridges with minibars. Bathrooms are modern and clean, but small, with granite stand-up showers, rainfall showerheads, toiletries, and heated towel racks. Petite Chambre rooms are small, but suitable for solo travelers, and this hotel offers a range of room sizes all the way to Studio, One-, and Two-Bedroom Apartments with kitchenettes. Apartments have chestnut laminate floors, sofas, and large bathrooms, and the extra space can accommodate small groups and families. Several guest rooms have terraces, some of which look onto the solarium and the San Giuseppe church dome, though street-facing rooms can be a bit noisy.

As the hotel’s name suggests, the on-site spa is a source of pride for the Quintocanto, and while it is nice after a day spent touring hectic Palermo, exposed ductwork somewhat diminishes the ambience and the windowless space can feel claustrophobic. The spa offers a small pool, sauna, massages, and Turkish style baths, and all hotel bookings are entitled to a free hour of spa usage by scheduling an appointment in advance. A good breakfast buffet with hot and cold options is also included with every booking while the on-site Locanda del Gusto Restaurant draws customers from around Palermo to its seasonal Sicilian menu and local wines. The hotel has a small reading and meeting room with glass tables and metal chairs set amidst artfully crumbling walls and a solarium with lounge chairs that looks up to the dome of San Giuseppe church, though the area could use a fresh coat of paint. The hotel’s bar is a cozy place to grab a drink or a glass of Sicilian wine, though when the weather’s nice the courtyard terrace is a nicer option for relaxing. Wi-Fi is free throughout and the hotel offers free fax services for business travelers. Valet parking and airport transfers are also available and the 24-hour front desk can provide concierge services including rental car bookings, while laundry and babysitting services are both also available.