Intimate hotel for budget-conscious travelers in a great location
Within walking distance of restaurants, shopping, and historic sights
Bright well-equipped guest rooms that are quiet
Some rooms have small balconies
In-room AC, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges with freebies
Bathrooms with bidets, hairdryers, and toiletries
Free continental breakfast
24-hour reception and luggage storage
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Spare on-site facilities
Fee for self-parking
The small two-pearl Hotel Ariston offers budget-minded travelers solid accommodations in a prime location for an affordable rate. The property is in the center of Palermo, within walking distance to great markets and major tourist destinations. The hotel occupies only one floor of a downtown building and lacks the facilities of a larger property, but its seven guest rooms don't suffer much from the area's remarkably heavy traffic since they're up on the sixth floor. All units are equipped with AC, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges stocked with free snacks and drinks, and free Wi-Fi, and some have small balconies. A free continental breakfast is included. Travelers looking for a large property with a bar can compare rates with the Hotel Columbia Palermo.
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Scene
Small budget hotel tucked on a single floor of a downtown building for couples
The area around the Hotel Ariston it is remarkably busy, and particularly congested during the day, but the atmosphere on the sixth floor here remains relatively quiet. Access to the hotel is via an old and somewhat industrial cage elevator, or the stairs that encase it. Stone-tiled floors open to a small lobby that looks like it hasn't changed in decades. Room keys hang on decorative but functional wooden plaques behind a trim mid-century reception desk, opposite a small seating area with striped chairs and a dainty bench. There's also a cheery, colorful breakfast area, although guests -- who are mostly couples on vacation -- don't tend to linger here long after eating, and hurry out to see the city's sights.
Location
In a busy area, near top attractions plus tons of restaurants and shops
The hotel is centrally located on a traffic-ridden one-way street. Major nearby attractions include Palermo's Massimo Theater, the biggest opera house in Italy, and the Regional Archaeology Museum; both are less than a six-minute walk from the hotel. Visitors heading toward the harbor (a 15-minute walk) may want to make a slight detour to walk down elegant Via Principe di Belmonte to get there. Palermo Cathedral is about 12 minutes by bus, and the stop is a five-minute walk from the hotel. It's about a 15-minute bus ride to Ballaro street market, which dates to at least the 10th century, where vendors loudly hawk traditional foods, like chickpea fritters. Mercato Vucciria (a younger 700 years old) is 12 minutes on foot -- but get there early if you want the day's best produce.
Plenty of restaurants and shopping are nearby, and it's a two-minute stroll to Via della Liberta, Palermo's main shopping street. Palermo's central train station is a seven-minute direct bus trip away, and the airport is 40 minutes by taxi (though allow extra time for traffic).
Rooms
Bright rooms with flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers, plus mini-fridges with freebies
The hotel has just seven guest rooms, all with stone-tiled floors, simple but bright decor, and lots of natural light. Gauzy curtains cover tall windows and some rooms open to small balconies overlooking the street (other rooms face an interior courtyard with views of neighboring walls). Basic wood furniture includes bedside tables, wardrobes, and most rooms have small desks. Double beds are standard and there are triple rooms that add a twin bed. In-room amenities are generous, with AC, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges stocked with free drinks and snacks, and there's free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are tidy and have colorfully tiled floors, bidets, and come with stall showers, hairdryers, and toiletries.
Features
Free breakfast, luggage storage, and a 24-hour reception desk; fee for parking
Facilities are limited at this bare-bones property, but there's a free continental breakfast served in a cheery breakfast room with a communal table and a loveseat. The spread includes pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt, and cereal, along with coffee, tea, and juice. The small hotel runs a 24-hour reception desk and offers free luggage storage. Laundry service is available for a fee, as is nearby public parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
