This is a WONDERFUL base for exploring Palermo. It’s in the very heart of the old city, and although the area is run down, we never felt unsafe. It’s extremely lively, full of restaurants and bars. Silvia was a very warm and engaging hostess, and she has decorated the apartment with a deft hand. The lighting and bathrooms were great, and overall it feels extremely spacious. One warning for folks who don’t like stairs: you must climb up about 27 of them to reach the elevator that takes you higher. But we were warned about that in advance. We cannot recommend it highly enough!