After having spent 16 days at the 'Pretty House' I feel qualified to write few words about the place. I always read revues before booking anything but contribute very seldom, unless the place and the host(s) are exceptional. And, this place and the hosts are exceptional. Silvana (the hostess)and her husband are highly educated professionals in their respective field who are serious about providing you with the best experience they could.
They keep the place well organized and spotless. She bent over backwards for me on a few occasions, which was way beyond what is normally expected from the landlord, which was very appreciated. And yes, her cake is delicious.
As a “foodie” who values quality cooking I appreciated her well equipped kitchen. I always liked cooking and may family and friends say that I am good at it. At the 'Pretty House' you can cook anything you want. I make elaborate breakfasts and with high quality food available in Palermo I had even more reason to cook many meals for myself.
But this is your vacation time and so if you don't want to cook there is a coffee/bar right downstairs where you can have your basic breakfast or lunch. Just across the street you will find a convenience/vegetable store. If you want better quality and more food choice there are many supermarkets within walking distance ('Familia', 'Todis', 'Conad', 'Madalena' - the last one with good choice of wines and hard liquor), all of them are named and marked on the tourist maps which I left behind for you to use.
If you want to experience good authentic Sicilian food at reasonable price don't forget to visit '170 via Dante' restaurant located nearby. It is very popular with the locals so on Sundays you may not be able to get in.
I set aside my first week on discovering Palermo itself. I thank Silvana for suggesting I use the train station nearby called 'Lolli', which is your best way to get to 'Pretty House' from and to the airport. It is just few short minutes away from the apartment. I used this subway station often to get in and out of the Centro Historico and in my second week to go to Palermo Centrale train and bus station to travel to other parts of Sicily.
I would start my trips to other parts of Sicily in the early morning and come back late night to the apartment. Tired from the sightseeing I welcomed good and very quiet rest at home. Surprisingly normally busy via Dante was very quiet at night. I am very alert person and any noise would wake me up but I don't remember this ever happening. Well rested at night I would have more strength to do more travelling next day. I have been to all other parts of Italy apparently left the best part for last.
As a foreign tourist I got lost many times but the Sicilians proved to be very patient and understanding.
In all, this was a very good trip and time well spent and enjoyed. In part because the apartment is well located to do discovering of Palermo on foot. Not once that I had a need to take #106 bus. It takes only around 20 minutes to walk to even the furthermost touristy places. This is how much, at a time, you will spend waiting for the bus. The location of the 'Pretty House' is such that it is free of the tourists and touristy high prices, but close enough to everything to allow simply walking to all the touristy attractions.
I am very happy to have (finally) set enough time to discover Sicily and to have found this oasis of tranquility, which 'Pretty Hose' clearly is. I highly recommend the apartment and the hosts to those who appreciate quality and comfort of having your own home away from home.
Buono viaggio :)