Porta di Castro Hotel & Spa

This hotel was very unclean and the photos on the website were very misleading. We couldn’t stay there.

Great location Hotel layout a bit disjointed

Staff was excellent. Front desk reception was very professional and friendly. Breakfast was included which was quite welcomed and good. Location was conducive to key areas of Palermo. Quirky hotel. Staff was excellent, professional and friendly. Our room was excessively small. No room to hang or lay out clothing. Space just barely fit the queen-sized bed. Bathroom equally small. Water for the shower was inconsistent at best. Several times we had no water in shower at all.

Nothing

The location was perfect for seeing all the sites we wanted to. The owner and staff were so warm and friendly. The went above and beyond expectations. The room was charming and comfortable. We loved the vibe of the whole place. With a balcony on the street it did have its moments of being loud. We woke up one night with what sounded like kids playing football in the street. But that wasn't the hotels fault.

Unique! Problems with air conditioning

Location was amazing. Breakfast was so tasty but quite a lot of food which could be off putting for some. Rooms were small but for the time we spent in the they were comfortable. We had an issue with our drains too but the maintenance were quick to sort out the issue.

When booking, I missed a lot of what this place had to offer. What a pleasant surprise at the end of a long trip to have such things as a massage and steam room. The breakfast was excellent. The room was very comfortable. The staff was super helpful and patient with information and recommendations. Palermo is all about walking and this is super well located. Highly recommend. The vibe was really enjoyable, which is important and hard to achieve. There is nothing to dislike about this stay. And Samba the dog in reception is a super selling point for tired travelers.

A very generous breakfast, but as is typical across much of Southern Europe, the selection is mostly sweet: pastries and fruit. There isn’t the usual European-style breakfast with salty hot dishes. But that’s more about the culture in Italy than the hotel itself. WiFi in the room is very poor.

We read the reviews and decided to come to this hotel based on what we have read, meaning that we were kind of prepared for a good stay. The truth is what we have been treated like surpassed all our already high expectations. Alessandro-the owner is truly the best! The personal approach he has to his guests is unbelievable. The whole team is truly working to make YOU happy and comfortable. Every room is different from each other and has its own character. Breakfast is truly super generous ( we stayed in 4 different hotels in this sicily trip) and is prepared daily by Alessandro and his dedicated staff. Romina at the register was on the top of the things: scheduling our spa and massages, car park and more. The hotel is situated right in the heart of historic Palermo where you can easily go to many important landmarks of Palermo. Palermo is beautiful but one of the biggest things that made our time in Palermo fantastic was the hotel. Thank you!

There is no bar so you can't get soft drinks or beer.

The housekeeper went above and beyond even folded our laundry and organized our toiletries. The front desk staff and owner went way above any expectations we could have ever had, we have stayed at 5 star resorts and not treated more like family. Nothing amazing experience

Breakfast was truly incredible - great coffee, lots of fresh sweet and savory pastries, cheeses, meats, and beautifully presented fresh fruits. The design of the hotel is wonderful - very eclectic and creative, and the room was very comfortable, with a balcony and street view in the old town. And the spa was gorgeous - a tranquil oasis hidden in a small, artsy, friendly boutique hotel. It would have been nice to have tea making facilities in the room, though I guess that is not part of Sicilian culture. And water bottles (preferably refillable glass) in the room, since there is no bar or cafe in the restaurant to get water or other drinks.

The location is very convenient to arrive with the train and to walk to the Palazzo Reale and Cathedral, as well as the Quattro Canti (and restaurants there). The staff was friendly and offered us a welcome snack and tea when we were hanging out in the breakfast zone (as there is no lounge or lobby area as such). The building is quirky and has a lot of potential, but it needs maintenance and better upkeep. We were very surprised to hear that the Spa that is in the title is not included in the price and it costs 50 EUR per person to use for 1.5 hours each time you want to use it. We have never used it. There is no lounge or lobby area to hang out, so you need to either sit at the breakfast tables or on the bed in your room as our room did not have a chair/sofa. The room we stayed in did not have any glasses or cups for water or tea. They gave us some teacups but never took away the dirty ones and for water they gave us plastic cups. Never in my life was I offered plastic cups after paying this much for a hotel. We found other people's socks on the floor under the bed first day, it took 3 reminders to help them find and remove them. On the last day I paid the Tourist/Visitor Tax in cash (they said it was the only way) and when I asked for a receipt I was accused of being "intolerant." I left with disappointment. They sent me the receipt later in e-mail.

Great location, close to the Norman Palace. Wonderful tilework in the bathroom. Excellent breakfast

The owner, Alessandro, was present on-site every day of our stay and was always walking around and checking in with guests. The hotel was clean, comfortable, and had really memorable touches. It feels homey while still indulgent, and is exceptional value for money. The decor is so complementary to the region, and is unique rather than the one-size-fits-all approach - there is clearly passion for creativity, and the character of the spaces really shines. The architecture of the 15th-century church is preserved, and we loved seeing the original features in our room and common areas. The pool is perfect for a dip and relaxing in, and is big enough for exercise. The breakfast provided was beyond our expectations! Fresh fruit, local pastries, and an assortment of cheeses and cured meats. The staff made us special coffees and were attentive to all of our needs. Extremely convenient location that is close walking proximity to the main strip while feeling a little off the beaten path.

The property has many great features! - Location (walk just a few minutes to the central historical centre) - a wonderful hotel based within the walls of a 500 year old church. Lots of ambiance and really cool decor! - room was very well appointed, clean and comfortable. Also had a mini fridge which was very handy. - Breakfast: simply fabulous with a wide variety of items served. The fresh fruit tray is awesome! More than plentiful!! - Pool: a great treat after a long and hot day of touring! Finally and most importantly is the staff! I can’t say more about how wonderful all the staff is. From Alessandro (the owner), to Rosanna (front desk) and all staff. Wonderfully helpful and accommodating. As an example - I asked for an extension to my checkout time. They let me stay until 4?pm. No issues and no extra charge. These are the small things that are BIG things. Thank you for making my stay and first time in Sicily so wonderful! Nothing! Everything was great!

Fantastic small tucked away hotel where every nook and cranny oozes with charm. Cannot have enough kind words for the owner (Alessandro) and the rest of the staff. If you like a beige boring hotel experience, this is not the hotel for you. If you are not dead inside, you will love this hotel. If you are driving to the hotel, it is quite difficult to get to, the hotel will provide you with exact instructions, follow them!

The neighborhood felt a little gritty, but it was a city. Outside/neighborhood noise was very noticeable in the room.

This hotel is AWESOME :-) The location is ideal, very close to all main walking and site seeing highlights. There are must-do local eateries along the side streets too, including the Palermo sandwich with sausage and potatoes. The staff were absolutely Wonderful! They communicated in advance to welcome me and coordinate my arrival time as well as early breakfast and airport transportation needs. Hotel concierge Dahliylay (Dalila, sp.?) was extraordinary professional, thoughtful (and beautiful) by helping to make sure my taxi was waiting, and I had breakfast available. I was upgraded to an enhanced suite via Booking.com the day before my arrival. When I arrived, I was invited to check in (early). My room had a very cute balcony and other lovely comfortable features that made my stay perfect. I would highly, highly, highly recommend Porta di Castro any time! Everything was truly fantastic! Maybe just a cleaning touch up for the outdoor pool furniture.