29 Venti Luxury

We had two horrible nights and ended up sick from not getting enough sleep. Noise was a constant problem: a coffee machine right outside the room was used early in the morning, other guests walked and talked nearby, and construction on the outside wall meant we couldn't open the windows. The room was also bright at night, with no way to cover the bathroom windows. At 3 am, the shower started leaking. The bathroom light switch was broken, so we had to use the electrical box to turn the lights off. The receptionist or housekeeper was very unfriendly. We asked for a refund or a free late checkout and got back an angry message. We would never recommend this hotel.

The location was very good, and the room was comfortable enough for the price, though I wouldn't call it luxury. The check-in arrangement caused problems: it was self check-in, but nobody told us in advance. When we called the number on the door, a woman said quickly that she'd send the instructions on WhatsApp, then hung up and rejected our later calls. We were lucky to have mobile internet and received the instructions, but they shouldn't assume tourists will have internet on arrival. The details should be sent beforehand, and the way she handled the calls felt very unprofessional. Breakfast was practically nonexistent. We got a voucher for a croissant, which had to be left at reception the day before to collect it next morning. Tea and coffee facilities were there, but we weren't allowed to use them ourselves. We had to ask the woman at reception to make us a drink, and she seemed to do it begrudgingly. We also had to pay for the bottles of water in the room, with no warning that they cost extra. Hospitality was poor, and I wouldn't book again or recommend it.

The biggest issue was the lack of heating. Even in Palermo, winter calls for heat, and the AC didn't provide any. During our two-night stay, nobody fixed the half-broken toilet roll holder or the TV remote that barely worked. The junior suite was cute, clean and nicely decorated, with a comfy queen-size bed, but it was tiny, really a one-person room, and had several little glitches. The built-in speakers in the room and bathroom were a nice touch, and I appreciated the balcony facing the street. Entry to the building and floor was by code. There was no free street parking, though parking was free about 700 metres away. The area is busy and close to the main pedestrian street, but it wasn't noisy at night. Breakfast ended early, at 9:15, and checkout was by 10, which seems standard in Sicily. The host spoke no English, unfortunately, but tried to be nice. 29 Venti Luxury is a nice place for a short stay and worth recommending for its location, though it isn't very luxurious.

Right in the centre of Palermo, this is one of the best spots to book for a stay in this great city.