Best hotels in Palermo & the Conca d'Oro

Discover history, majesty and serenity at Villa Igiea: a turn-of-the-century palazzo at the perimeter of vivid Palermo, the foot of Mount Pellegrino and the Gulf of Palermo. A long-loved seaside-meets-city sanctuary for royalty, dignitaries and Hollywood luminaries, trace their paths through tiered villa gardens that sweep down to the port and out to the Tyrrhenian Sea; on excursions to Palermo’s bustling markets, Baroque palaces and ancient sites, or yacht trips along its picturesque coast; and through Villa Igiea’s Italian restaurants, atmospheric bars and palatial Art Nouveau interior, revitalised as a Rocco Forte hotel.

You’re at Susafa, an old farmhouse, now a countryside retreat. Staying here will make you feel connected to Sicily’s soul, made up of invigorating colours and fragrances, centuries-old traditions and customs. Here, nature is celebrated: quiet spaces to relax, seasonal ingredients served at the table every day, homemade bread paired with Susafa Olive Oil, the natural blue of the swimming pool set in a green Mediterranean oasis, walks through fields of grain, and the authentic sounds of nature.

With its Arab-Norman cathedrals and raucous street markets, Palermo has an infectious, sun-soaked energy. And right in the middle of it all, on the beautiful Via Roma, stands the Grand Hotel et Des Palmes, a palazzo with a past to rival the city. Built in 1874 as the private residence of the Ingham-Whitaker family — English Marsala merchants who all but ran Sicily — it was transformed into a hotel in 1907 by Art Nouveau architect Ernesto Basile. Wagner stayed to finish Parsifal, Poet Raymond Roussel checked in and never left, and the mirrors, marble and sweeping staircases have seen it all.

In the heart of Baroque Palermo, near the city's Quattro Canti, the Quintocanto Hotel & SPA loves to welcome its guests and guide them towards a dimension of discovery and relaxation.

An elegant design hotel decorated in a minimalist style, thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and central location, the Quintocanto is the ideal place for both business travelers and those wishing to explore the city's major tourist attractions. The exclusive spa, with its wellness program featuring a sauna, Turkish bath, and whirlpool, offers indulgent treatments combined with the flavors of the excellent cuisine at the "Locanda del Gusto" restaurant, ensuring an unforgettable experience in Palermo.

Palazzo Brunaccini is a 17-room boutique hotel with a restaurant, an interior courtyard and a meeting room. The maison is located in the heart of the historic center of Palermo. It was belonged to Princess Lucrezia Brunaccini and thanks to a careful work of recovery, today is a modern structure where the charm of history and the elegance of design find a perfect and wise harmony. The hospitality and professionalism of the staff, the strategic location behind the market of Ballarò and a short walk distance from the main UNESCO sites of Palermo, make this hotel the ideal choice for those who want to visit the city on foot, discovering the most vital and cosmopolitan part. Comfort, modernity and small luxuries: the chic and romantic details, the Deluxe rooms with Jacuzzi and the creative traditional cuisine make Palazzo Brunaccini the perfect hotel also for a romantic getaway or for honeymooners.

A luxurious perch on one of Sicily's most captivating coastlines where two worlds - and two star ratings - collide in spectacular fashion. Nestled in the Caldura bay just a stone's throw from Cefalù's UNESCO-protected historic centre, this boutique resort has been beguiling visitors for over half a century. The Mediterranean architecture follows the natural contours of the coastline, with whitewashed buildings that tumble down the rocky slopes towards the crystalline waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Step back to 1765 as you cross the threshold of this splendid boutique hotel, once the stately residence of a Bourbon-era judge who later became a Marquis. Built during Palermo's renaissance when the city was flourishing with new energy and ambition, the palazzo has retained its aristocratic bones while embracing contemporary luxury. Here, velvets and cushions mingle with shaved cotton linens in a masterful display of refined elegance. The intimate scale belies the grandeur of the building's heritage, creating a hideaway that feels both exclusive and welcoming. You're perfectly positioned in the bustling heart of the city, with its vibrant markets, Norman architecture and Arab influences just waiting to be explored.