Eurostars Centrale Palace

Formerly known as the Palazzo Tarallo, this hotel looks lifted out of the 18th century, with wrought iron balconies, carved lintels, and an arcaded terrace leading to an ornate coral and white lobby with a vaulted atrium skylight. Antique furniture, gilded mirrors, Neoclassical paintings, decorative candelabra chandeliers, and plush chairs and settees are arranged around patterned marble floors, creating a distinctly classical atmosphere. The lobby bar is a fine place to relax amid intimate, elegant nooks. A meal in Restaurant 1892 feels like dining in a ballroom amidst yellow damask wallpaper, chandeliers, and decorative frescoes. Ai Tetti, the rooftop terrace restaurant and bar has sweeping views from Monte Pellegrino to nearby church domes and is a scenic spot to dine or drink. It’s an airy, modern venue that’s ideal to visit at sunset. The hotel’s atmosphere is ideal for tourist couples looking for a slice of a bygone Sicily, though business travelers and families are also welcome.

Situated just off of Piazza Vigliena, this hotel is two minutes from Palermo’s photogenic Quattro Canti and a quick walk from many other historic landmarks. The exuberant and once-scandalous Fontana Pretoria is two minutes away on foot as is the Baroque San Giuseppe dei Teatini church, while the Palermo Cathedral is seven minutes in the opposite direction. Narrow lanes snake in almost every direction from the hotel and are lined with cafes and restaurants, while the Albergheria area, which is home to the Ballaro Street Market, starts just across the road from the hotel with the market five minutes away on foot. The narrow lanes of Castellammare is a six-minute walk from the hotel and the trendy Kalsa neighborhood is 10 minutes away on foot. A taxi to Palermo Airport should take 30 minutes. Alternatively, Prestia Comande buses to the airport leave from Palermo Centrale Station, making the same trip in about 50 minutes. 

The exuberant classical details of the hotel’s public areas don’t translate to many of the guest rooms, which can feel austere by comparison. Classic Rooms are furnished with a mix of heavy, antique pieces as well as cheap-looking knock-offs, most of which show some wear-and-tear. The quirky wall art, ranging from classic caricatures to bright religious iconography, adds some life to Classic Rooms, which have red and gray granite tiled floors, stark white walls, and off-white curtains. Superior Rooms are far nicer, with parquet floors and a blend of antique and contemporary furniture that’s in better shape than Classic Rooms. Beds are comfortable, though duvets and throw pillows would have been a nice touch, they're simply made up with white linens. Gilded lamps and mirrors gesture at the hotel’s historic provenance. All rooms include desks, individually controlled air-conditioning, small flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges with minibars, and electronic safes. We saw some dirty grout in bathrooms, which are in need of upgrades across all room categories, with unattractive salmon-colored granite vanities, small walk-in showers or bathtub/shower combos with outdated fixtures, and generic toiletries. Many rooms have terraces and the hotel offers family rooms and suites that can accommodate larger groups of travelers. Cribs can be arranged for guests with small children

Ai Tetti, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of Palermo, is a member of Sicily’s Slow Food Foundation and serves artisanal Sicilian specialties, though the quality of the food gets mixed reviews. For a more casual experience, the rooftop bar is an alternative and has identically attractive views. Finger sandwiches and light snacks are served, as well as local wine and specialty cocktails. Breakfast, which is served in Restaurant 1892, is only included with some bookings and features hot and cold options as well as local fare. There is a bright and spacious on-site fitness center with wood laminate floors and a decent selection of cardio machines and weights, and the hotel has a sauna and Turkish bath on site while massage and spa services are also available. The hotel prides itself on it’s private concierge service, called The Wonderland, and representatives can arrange trips from shopping excursions to reservations in off-the-beaten-path restaurants and quirky tours. Six on-site meeting rooms embody the same elegant, ballroom vibe as the hotel’s lobby and common areas, and have a maximum capacity of 120 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Babysitting and laundry services are both available. The hotel has a guarded parking garage and valet services, both of which include fees.