Grand Hotel et des Palmes
Grand Sicilian palace hotel. Art Nouveau architecture meets restored aristocratic interiors — high frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, parquet floors, original stained glass. The tone is old-world formal with a current that runs through it. This isn't a sleek boutique; it's a living monument.
Request a room away from Via Roma — street-facing rooms get more traffic noise
Why It Matters
Palermo's only 5-star hotel in the historic center. Ernesto Basile — Sicily's greatest Art Nouveau architect — redesigned it in 1907. Wagner completed Parsifal here in 1882, and his suite, including his actual grand piano, is preserved as the hotel's crown-jewel room. The Salone degli Specchi (Hall of Mirrors), once the Ingham family ballroom, is intact and operational as the restaurant.
Founded in 1874 and redesigned in 1907 by Art Nouveau master Ernesto Basile, this is Palermo's only 5-star hotel in the city center — and one of the most storied properties in all of southern Italy. The building started life as the private palazzo of the Ingham-Whitaker family, British wine merchants who bankrolled much of 19th-century Palermo society. Richard Wagner finished Parsifal here in 1882. The US Navy used it as WWII headquarters. French surrealist Raymond Roussel died here under circumstances mysterious enough to inspire a Sciascia investigation. Now managed by Mangia's Group after a major restoration, the hotel has held on to Basile's original Winter Garden, the frescoed lobby ceilings, and the famous Salone degli Specchi — the mirrored ballroom that is now the signature restaurant.
Where You'll Stay
7 room types available
Classic Double Room
The entry-level room, and at 18 sqm it's honestly compact for a 5-star. Grey and brown palette, parquet flooring, traditional furnishings, fine fabrics. Air conditioning, flat-screen TV with satellite, minibar, writing desk. Bathroom with bidet, shower, hairdryer, and bathrobes. The grand public spaces more than compensate for the room size.
King · 18 sqmDeluxe Room with Terrace
A city-facing room with its own private terrace — a genuine rarity in a historic urban palazzo. Large soundproof windows let in Sicilian light. Sumptuous king-size bed, elegant bathroom.
King
Junior Suite
Spacious by any standard. King-size bed in fine fabrics, a separate living area furnished with Italian velvet armchairs, and marble bathrooms with a choice of bath or large shower. Delicate tones, refined furnishings. A proper retreat — suites also have terraces overlooking the center of Palermo.
KingPrestige Room with Terrace
At 43 sqm, this is where things start to feel properly generous. King-size bed, a harmonious living area, and a striking freestanding bathtub as the centerpiece. The terrace opens onto rooftop Palermo views. Think of it as a junior suite with a theatrical bathroom.
King · 43 sqm
Richard Wagner Suite
The one room that justifies the hotel's entire mystique. Wagner stayed here with Cosima Liszt in 1881–82 and finished writing Parsifal in this very space. At 156 sqm, it is Palermo's most theatrically grand hotel room. Ceilings adorned with stucco reliefs and gold leaf. A crystal chandelier hangs above the king-size bed. At the center of the living room: Wagner's actual grand piano. The marble bathroom has a jacuzzi and emotional shower. It is absolutely worth a dinner at the hotel just to see the space, but if you can spring for the room, it's a singular experience.
King · 156 sqmSuite
Full suites with separate living area, marble bathroom with bath and shower, minibar, tea and coffee maker. Soundproof walls. Most include a terrace overlooking central Palermo. Sleek in their classic execution — the furniture references the palace era without tipping into kitsch.
KingSuperior Room
A step up from classic, with a dedicated sitting area. Parquet floors, refined fabrics, dark wood furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Modern in-room tech — air con, flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, WiFi. City-facing views from most rooms.
King or TwinThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Bicycles available for guests to explore central Palermo, including Via Vittorio Emanuele, the historic center, and the nearby markets.
The concierge team arranges bespoke itineraries through Palermo — from the Arab-Norman UNESCO sites to the food markets of Ballarò and Capo. Private guided tours, transfers, and restaurant reservations all bookable through the desk.
Group fitness classes available at an additional charge alongside the main Technogym-equipped fitness room.
The hotel packages two tickets to a performance at Teatro Massimo — one of the largest opera houses in Europe and an 8-minute walk from the hotel. Operas, ballets, and concerts. The concierge handles transfer to and from the theater. Available as a package (non-refundable) that also includes possible complimentary room upgrade and late checkout, subject to availability.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
On-site hair salon available for an additional charge.
Multiple meeting rooms with modern AV technology for corporate meetings, incentive trips, conferences, and events. The hotel's historic halls also host larger private events.
Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, in all rooms and public areas.
Continental breakfast served daily in the grand dining hall, with Sicilian specialties including almond pastries and granita in summer.
Full in-room dining service with a menu inspired by Sicilian tradition, available throughout the day.
Located on the 6th floor, 160 sqm, equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym machines covering all workout types.
24-hour concierge team handling private transfers, guided tours, restaurant reservations, shopping assistance, and bespoke city itineraries.
Dry cleaning and laundry services available (fee applies — some guests note pricing is on the high side).
In-house library available for guests.
Valet parking service available. Indoor private parking also available nearby at a fee.
The original Winter Garden designed by architect Ernesto Basile in 1907 — a light-filled Art Nouveau conservatory space that is one of the architectural highlights of the hotel.
BUILD YOUR GRAND HOTEL ET DES PALMES PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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