This is, unequivocally, a six-star apartment. If you want an oasis of style and grace in a complex, beautiful, gritty city, there is no better choice in Palermo. Our experience was exceptional in every way. Grazie mille Claudia e Fulvio!
The images for the apartment don't do it justice. The tasteful decor and attention to detail throughout, with the absoutely stunning terrace, set it apart from the vast majority of Airbnb spaces. What's clear is that for the hosts, Fulvio and Claudia, it's not simply about making money but also about taking pride in the quality of the experience offered to guests fortunate enough to stay here. Their hosting was truly outstanding, from the speed of communication to the incredible array of food and drink provided as a welcome, to the amount of time Fulvio took to share his passion for Palermo with us. This is a family with deep roots in the city and in the building; the kind of people you want to encounter when you're new to a place.
The apartment is spotless and tasteful in every detail, with beautiful original tiling and period features, vast bedrooms with soaring ceilings (be patient it takes time for the air-con to cool them down) and nicely done bathrooms. The kitchen is compact but well kitted out and, as with everything else, has been carefully considered to achieve the best use of space. The terrace is the crowning glory though. It has comfortably-furnished dining and relaxing areas, with sweeping views across the city, in an almost 180 panorama. Wow factor? In spades.
The apartment is in the centre of Palermo and a short walk to all of the key sites. It's worth noting, though, that it's in the Kalsa area of Palermo. There is real poverty here alongside increasing gentrification. For us the location, so close to the heart of Palermo and the Quattro Canti, was a plus point but walk right instead of left out of the door and you're in a very different world. Because of its centrality there is street noise, and we had very loud music from a club but only on one night, but it stopped in the early hours of morning. It's inevitable in any central city location though.
What an apartment. What a town.