Hotel Plaza Opera

At first glance, the hotel’s generic modern façade won’t inspire any soliloquies, especially given the charming classical buildings that surround it, but once inside the impression changes. The hotel’s design is simultaneously classic and contemporary, with vintage accents complementing modern design elements throughout. There is an eye-catching seating area to the right of the front desk, with antique art deco couches, marble tile, and a large dystopian landscape painting that at first seems like a risky aesthetic choice, but reflects the rich black, orange, and white motif throughout the lobby. A cozy cocktail area with gray walls, vintage hardwood furniture, and a fireplace is a perfect place to relax after a day touring the city, and in warmer months the hotel has a plant-lined rooftop terrace with views across Palermo. The hotel sees several large group tours, though couples, families, and business travelers are welcome here too.

On a narrow street at the edge of Palermo’s Borgo Vecchio neighborhood, the hotel is within walking distance of many shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as several sights and landmarks. The neoclassic Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, home to the Palermo Symphony, is just around the corner, a two-minute walk from the hotel, while Castellammare’s narrow warren of lanes are a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The striking and once-scandalous fountain of Piazza Pretoria is less than 20 minutes from the hotel on foot as it the Palermo Cathedral. For families and guests looking for sea and sun in their journey, the Mondello Beach is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, while destinations like the bustling Ballaro Street Market and the Albergheria area but can be reached in about 15 minutes by taxi, or 25 minutes on foot. The city’s main airport is about 35 minutes away by taxi or car depending on traffic.

Guest rooms continue the juxtaposition of art deco and contemporary elements found in the hotel’s common areas. The combination of rich warm brown hues and white linens create a sophisticated feel. Rooms are filled with thoughtful details, like throw pillows and bed runners that match the botanical prints and antique lithographs on the walls. Vintage bedside tables pop against light wood laminate floors, though the in-room desk and TV stand looked worn when we visited. Beds are comfortable and have carved art deco style headboards, and all rooms have electric safes, flat-screen TVs, individually controlled air-conditioning, and telephones. There aren’t many power outlets in the rooms and plugs don’t always work. Superior Rooms and higher booking categories include electric kettles and free bottles of water as well as trouser presses. The Corallo and Agata Suites are both exuberant and stylish, and careful attention has been paid to balance wild design features, like raffia lamps in the Agata Suite, with sober color schemes and contemporary wall art. The Corallo Suite has a large terrace with views of Palermo and both suites include hot tubs. En-suite bathrooms are clean and bright across the board, but the tan marble vanities and dated fixtures aren’t the nicest we’ve seen, even if bathrooms do have heated towel racks, bathtub/shower combos, and local Ortigia toiletries.

Free breakfast with continental options, Italian specialties, and eggs made to order is included with every booking, and the hotel also provides espresso-based coffees during breakfast service, which is a nice step up from the machine-made coffee at so many area hotels. A small bar in the lobby provides coffees, cocktails, local wines, and light snacks throughout the day for guests to enjoy in the adjacent lounge or on the rooftop terrace during warmer months. The hotel has deals with local retailers for exclusive discounts, including on the Turkish baths around the corner and the Villa Airoldi Golf Club, and there are two on-site meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 50 guests with audiovisual services and catering. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and the 24-hour front desk can help arrange rental cars, airport transfers, and provide concierge services, while laundry and ironing services are also available.