Via Dei Cartari 18, Palermo, Italy | (937) 315-4602
Charming renovated hotel in a former convent and bank
Central location, conveniently set back from the main road
Beautiful central courtyard with retractable ceiling
Large rooms with stylish decor; some with balconies
Modern spa with whirlpool
Free buffet breakfast
Seasonal roof garden with shaded tables and chairs
Wi-Fi not available in the rooms
Rooms facing the courtyard can be dark
The area right around the hotel can feel deserted during the week
The 127-room Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa is located in a restored former bank building -- and a convent before that -- in the heart of the old city. The property opened in 2010 after a five-year renovation and it retains many original architectural details, including the vault with the security door, but has been stylishly updated. A beautiful courtyard off the lobby, surrounded by columns, has a retractible roof. Wi-Fi can only be used in the lobby and isn't available in the large, stylish rooms. A central location puts the hotel within walking distance of the city’s attractions, and overall it is a good choice for tourists or business travelers.
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Scene
Historic hotel with modern touches
Many classic details are on display in the Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, including arched columns in the unique central courtyard and the spectacular Kemonia restaurant that shows off the Art Nouveau architecture of Ernesto Basile in all its glory. The cavernous breakfast room is paneled in wood, with a massive arched window. Updates make the property chic and stylish, and older features are juxtaposed with brightly-colored contemporary furniture and gleaming hardwood floors. The bar in the center has a beautiful bas relief of contemporary art that is the plan of Palermo’s historic center.
Location
Off the Via Vittorio Emanuele and close to many eateries
The hotel entrance is located in an alleyway on the side of the building, which can be a little off-putting at night. Otherwise, the location is very central, off the Via Vittorio Emanuele, the strip with most of the city’s main attractions, including the Norman Palace, which is a 15-minute walk. The neighborhood around the hotel is full of restaurants, pizzerias, bars, and other eateries, including the famous Focacceria St. Francis, though the narrow streets of the old town can feel a little deserted on weeknights.
Rooms
Large rooms with chic, modern decor
The 127 air-conditioned rooms are large and mirror the hotel’s more contemporary spaces. Light gray and cream fabrics accent gleaming herringbone wood floors. Artsy, unframed black and white photographs decorate the walls. Some of the rooms have small balconies, but the rooms that face the courtyard can be a bit dark, even on a sunny day. Thick walls prevent the Wi-Fi signal from making it to most rooms, but free wired internet access is available. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, bathrobes, and hairdryers. Large bathrooms have big shower/tub combos with glass doors, while the Costanza d'Aragona Suite has a large soaking tub.
Features
Restaurant, free buffet breakfast, spa, and meeting rooms
In addition to the excellent Kemonia restaurant and the cozy bar, the hotel serves a free buffet breakfast. The fitness center and spa are spacious, modern, and chic, with a sauna and a small hot tub surrounded by a wood deck and an area with wooden loungers. The hotel has several meeting rooms, and they are a mix of classic and contemporary styles. One has a striking stained-glass roof. There’s also a separate Smoking Room with bright lime-green walls. Free newspapers are available in the lobby and the hotel offers valet parking and dry cleaning/laundry service for an extra fee.
