Hotel Porta Felice & Spa

There was no light over the desk, so I had to move the floor lamp over. The room had two weak bedside lamps, a floor lamp in the corner and an overhead light by the door, but it needs better lighting. Apart from that, the rooms were big, clean and comfortable. Service and location were excellent, and breakfast was good. Whenever I needed help or an item, they sent it over very quickly.

A peaceful, clean hotel in a great location, with the main city sights easy to reach on foot. The staff were very friendly, especially the food and beverage team. Luca chatted with us every morning, was very helpful, and recommended lots of things to do. The cocktails were good too. I’d recommend it!

The rooftop breakfast room and bar are a real plus, with a lovely terrace overlooking the city. Breakfast was fine, mostly cakes and croissants, sweeter than an English-style breakfast, which I liked. Service there could vary, though: some days it was very friendly, other days staff seemed a little stressed and annoyed. My room was spacious, with a king-size bed, large TV, plenty of storage, a fully stocked minibar and a big bathroom. The shower had some mold on closer inspection and needs attention. The air conditioning worked perfectly, which was useful with night temperatures around 22 Gad. The hotel is in a quiet spot near the sea and harbor, diagonally opposite the fantastic Palazzo Butera. It isn’t right in the centre, but the old town and Via Vittorio Emanuele are a quick walk away, and the cathedral and Palazzo Reale take a little over 20 minutes. Concierge and reception were nice. I didn’t use the spa or parking service, so can’t comment on those.

Parking in Palermo is a nightmare, so the hotel’s €27-a-day parking service was a big help with our rental car. They took the car and brought it back when we asked, with an hour’s notice, and it worked perfectly throughout our stay. The rooftop bar has an amazing view, and breakfast was pretty good too. The location is perfect, close to the main downtown area and within easy walking distance of places like the bollero street market. Our room was fabulous, with good air conditioning and loads of closet space. The staff and hotel were good, and we couldn’t find anything to complain about. We really liked it and would definitely stay again next time we’re in polarama.