Ballarò Hotel

Location Easy check in Expensive

Great location, close to everything we wanted to see, friendly and helpful staff. The building looks historic. Very close to the train station. If you have mobility issues, there is not an elevator

Close to train station The building is very old, we were scarred to go in at first, the bathrooms are outside the rooms, not clean. The area is scratchy too!

On the other side of being at a great location, it is also very noisy since it is so cloae to the busy street.

Breakast was not so great, it was meant to end at 10am, but we could not find anthing one morning ater 9am. Grateul that Amelie went to buy something or us but I think the breakfast arrangement could be improved. Our bathroom would also flood after every shower.

Excellent location near train station (we traveled all of Sicily by inexpensive train) and easy short walk into nearby Ballaro street market and city center. The hotel is located in 18th century former palace of Prince Filangeri with interior court, so very private. The building would certainly improve from restoration work, but the hotel on 2nd and 3rd floor is well designed. Beds are good, shower works great, ample towels, and it is quiet at night. Breakfast is typical Italian basic, but good cappuccino and the room overlooking the main street reflects the grand style of the former palace.

Fantastic location, close to train station, Ballard Market and all important sites to see. We had the largest room and it was excellent. Nothing comes to mind.

Some places were missed on the cleaning side

Air conditioning is the only heating and it dries up the air in the room. You can't really open the windows, both because it was cold at night but also because of the intense smell of garlic and cooking coming from the restaurants underneath rooms. We would wake up to that smell right in the room every morning.

The moment we left this property was an incredible relief! Please see the comments below. The manager (Bartolo) was kind when we finally got hold of him but turned out to be lying and did not keep his promise to refund the money he owed us. The door to the property looks like it is 200 years old. There is a tiny name plate and a code system but we did not receive a code to enter the building. Our taxi driver helped us and it took 20 min for someone to open the door. A very unfiriendly person -who mentioned it was hislunchtime (3.55 PM)- finally came down. The room was old an dirty, the bed was bad quality and the bathroom ald an not clean. Window is so high it feels like being in a prison cell. Worst thing: WIFI is not working in the room while I required this for medical reasons and the property assured me it is perfect. Staff is not present at reception and does not pick up the phone. After one night we had to decide to move away. I requested refund for the 2 nights I prepaid and the manager who we ran into promised he would definitely take care off this. Untill today no refund and even Booking.com cannot reach the property (and does not pay the refund to me bcs they cannot reach the property themselves!)

The entry courtyard is beautiful, and the building is authentically antique and magnificent with vaulted 30' ceilings, marble floors, 12' wide staircases, it's awesome. It would have been good to let last-minute guests know how to enter from the street, and where the hotel is once inside (we had to explore up two flights of stairs to discover the reception). The shower could take a little care, but that's common for even the best hotels, and other than that, no concerns at all.

I cannot recommend strongly enough that folks avoid this property. The management is dishonest, and based on our experience, likely criminal. Our Experience: While we were out, the property management randomly entered our room without reason, notification, or permission. This is not legal and or safe. The property denied entering, until we showed them evidence. They then admitted to entering and provided 2 different excuses; neither was valid. At this point, they agreed in writing to refund our stay, as we had legitimate safety concerns. The property later declined the refund that they had agreed to in writing. Booking.com was likewise unable to get the property to honor the refund. Whether you are aware of it or not, if you have to stay at this property, the management may be entering your room while you are out without your knowledge or permission. Take all of your valuables with you, and single women…just DON’T STAY HERE. On a side note, it is a physically depressing place. I realize it’s hard to choose online, but be reassured, there are many better options. NOTE: I anticipate that the property management will dispute my accusations, based upon my interaction with them. However, I have WhatsApp and Booking chats documenting the entire conversation. Simply do not believe their rebuttal. They are profoundly dishonest. Please see above. We travel a lot and often stay in budget accommodations and have had almost universally good experiences. You can look at my many other Booking reviews to see that we are not malcontents. This was a creepy, strange, and frankly scary situation. For your own sake, please do not stay here. NOTE: I anticipate that the property management will dispute my accusations, based upon my interaction with them. However, I have WhatsApp and Booking chats documenting the entire conversation. Simply do not believe their rebuttal. They are profoundly dishonest.

I like the location and its proximity to the train station and generally close to main night area. Also the courtyard is very historic and unique. Getting into the property was a little rough. Staff was nice, but not available on site all the time.

a beautiful location with so much history okay type of hotel room friendly staff the view - impossible to see out!??! breakfast - well, it was ok, but still too much stuff in plastic

The room needed some area to put your clothes.

Great location for one quick night in the city. Close to the station and the main street where all the food is. Note there is no elevator and there are a lot of stairs. Confiable basic room

fairly quiet location air conditioning worked well breakfast was very good toilet didn’t always flush neighbourhood borderline sketchy

Easily accessible to the train station and the city center. Very clean and well maintained. A balcony, safe in the room, great AC, large flatscreen TV, comfortable bed, super clean sheets, lots of charm, great breakfast, an Illy self serve coffee machine for 1 euro, vending machine with snacks and beverages, refrigerator, and super awesome hosts who took excellent care of all guests! Street side is a bit noisy at times.

Beautiful building, I was blown away upon arrival. I came early to drop my bags off and was pleased when I was able to check in early. Security was great with a keypad to enter the door from the street and the door to the hotel's floor. Breakfast was lovely, fresh pastries and coffee, fruit and yogurt. Amazing price for a well located hotel really convenient to the bus station, mins walk to the centre and in a building that could be a museum. Vending machine with water bottles and snacks was a great bonus. Staff were lovely and friendly. I couldn't fault it for the price.

Good location, clean, friendly staff Staff only there part of the day.