Silvia's place is incredible and exactly as in the photos. I loved the huge windows that streamed light into the place each day but could also covered over every evening by shutters, allowing a very peaceful sleep in a darkened room.
The place is incredibly clean, spacious and very secure. There's a huge, heavy door at the front of the entrance to the building but in the day time there's the added benefit of Vincenzo, the cheery concierge who provides an extra feeling of security as well as being on hand to assist with any queries.
The bedrooms are on the ground floor and do face the street so there is some noise filtering in from the street at night (mainly pedestrians and the odd moped or car) but we actually enjoyed hearing the sounds of the city filter through our windows.
Location is simply perfect: right in the middle of the historic centre. In less than a minute after leaving the flat, you find yourself on Via Maqueda with all of its shops and just a few steps from the famous Quattro Canti.
The most incredible thing about Silvia's place has to be Silvia herself though: the care she takes in preparing each stay and the extra lengths she is willing to go to for her guests. We arrived to find a tasty and fresh buffet lunch all laid out for us and the place was fully stocked with milk, water, yoghurts, tea, great coffee (definitely try the coffee machine), bread, biscuits and fresh fruit. It was almost worth staying in more for to enjoy more of it. We were even the beneficiaries of a whole selection of fresh, warm croissants one morning - if Silvia offers this to you definitely take it up!
Silvia took time to help us orient ourselves with the city and pointed out a great many places to visit, both in and outside of Palermo. As has already been pointed out by another reviewer, her restaurant recommendations should absolutely be taken up. I would also recommend visiting Mr Pino at his little cafe, Caffetteria del Corso on Via Vittorio Emanuele for some of the loveliest granita the city has to offer and the little Trattoria Familiare run by Michele and Yolanda on Via Cappuccini (near the Cathedral and Palazzo Reale).