Baglio Reale Apartments

The apartment is tucked into the residents’ inner courtyard, and it stayed quiet even though it’s right by the ZTL boundary. It’s been renovated and works well for two people, with a well-stocked selection of pots and dishes and a large shower. One thing to plan for: when you leave, a key-operated switch cuts power to everything except the fridge, so bring more than one charger if you need to charge several batteries. The Norman Palace and Cathedral are just a five-minute walk away, and Palermo is easy to explore on foot, with everything within about 30 minutes. Bus 389 from nearby Piazza Indipendenza takes 20 minutes to Monreale. I wouldn’t recommend driving, given the traffic and parking.

Gaia was warm and always available, and the apartment was quiet, tastefully furnished, and very well cared for, with a lovely outdoor area. Since it’s right in the center, we could see the sights and nearby surroundings without a car. There are also nice restaurants and Sicilian treats close by.

I spent four nights here. The location is excellent, just steps from one of the main streets, and Gaia was kind and quick to respond. The shower was broken for my first two days, but the owner paid attention and dealt with the issue promptly. I also appreciated the cold bottle of water in the fridge after a long trip. A couple of things were frustrating: the tourist tax had to be paid in cash on arrival, so I had to arrange to withdraw money the next day. The hood doesn’t work, and using the oven creates quite a lot of smoke, so the apartment needs airing out. Trains make the apartment shake, though the air conditioning masks some of the noise.

It felt like a little oasis, very close to the historic center. The apartment was clean and really comfortable.