Palermo al Massimo

We stayed in the spacious, updated Rosalia suite, which looks over the square and sleeps four, with a king bed in the bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room. It had what our family needed, including a washing machine, which was handy given how difficult laundromats can be around Sicily. The blinds kept out the summer light and heat, and the air conditioning worked well, so the apartment was a cool retreat. Fede met us on time at check-in and showed us how things worked. He and the owner were quick to respond on Whatsapp, including helping us arrange an airport transfer. The apartment was clean on arrival, though there’s no daily cleaning, and I think you can request it for an extra charge. The square was noisy on Sunday night, but the singer stopped at 11pm and we slept fine after that. Great views and an easy location, too.

The apartment is a huge, well-kept modern space in an old building, with comfortable beds and a well-equipped kitchen. Just know that the bedroom and living area are one big room with no wall or other separation, so there’s no privacy. Giuseppe was helpful and recommended nearby places to visit. He also arranged our airport pickup. The location suited us perfectly, overlooking a lovely theatre in a lively area, with restaurants, attractions, shops, and a supermarket five or six blocks away. There’s a younger crowd around and loud music late into the night, so it’s not for anyone looking for quiet. We wanted to be in the middle of things, though, and it worked well for us.

The location is great, but I was disappointed by the apartment. Check the listing carefully: almost all the main photos show the 'Deluxe' apartment, especially the lovely terrace overlooking Teatro Massimo and Piazza Giuseppe Verdi. That terrace appears on the booking confirmation whichever apartment you choose. The 'standard' apartment is one large room with a single window and a small, cramped balcony facing a narrow street and the side wall of a theatre. Palermo is a wonderful city, but look closely at what you’re booking here.

Amazing view from the apartment balcony, right across from the theatre. We enjoyed a nightcap out there. Great location. Visit Palermo!