Palazzo Arone dei Baroni di Valentino
Living house-museum. Baroque aristocratic grandeur meets genuine family warmth. The 'Valentino' red dominates much of the decor; cobalt blue shows up in the breakfast room and Suite Donna Marianna. Think Visconti's The Leopard — not as a theme, but because the comparison keeps coming up for good reason.
Ask to be invited to one of Baroness Simona's fortnightly aperitifs — they're not always publicized and happen roughly every two weeks.
Why It Matters
Still tended by the original owning family, the Baroni di Valentino, who lead guided tours of the historic rooms and host fortnightly aperitifs for guests and friends — enlivened by grand piano and crystal glasses. Illustrious past guests include Giacomo Puccini, who attended a reception here on the occasion of his opera premiere at the Teatro Massimo. The building dates to 1555 and was enriched in the 18th century by the Princes of Castelnuovo with frescoes and stuccoes by the era's leading Sicilian painters.
A 16th-century aristocratic palazzo in the dead center of Palermo, still lived in and run by the Arone di Valentino family — the same family that has owned it since 1874. That's the whole point. This isn't a converted-noble-residence hotel; the nobles are still here. Bernardo and Simona Arone di Valentino, along with their children, receive guests amid frescoed ceilings, hand-painted majolica floors, Caucasian tapestries, and antique silverware that has never been packed up for storage. Rooms from €200 with breakfast, for six rooms and two apartments across a three-floor baroque building with no elevator.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Ambassador's Suite
The largest and most prestigious room, located on the noble floor. Has an intimate sitting area with a working fireplace — actually useful on cooler Sicilian evenings. A Caucasian tapestry dominates one wall, a nod to an era of distant travels and collected friendships. Hand-painted majolica tiles add color underfoot. Modern walk-in shower bathroom.
King · 42 sqmClassic
The smallest room in the house at 15 sqm — be aware of that before booking. What it lacks in size it makes up for in character: antique furnishings, rich fabrics, and the evocative feel of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Fine for a short Palermo stay if you plan to spend most of your time out exploring the city.
Queen · 15 sqm
Deluxe
The room to book if you're visiting during the Feast of Santa Rosalia. It has a large private balcony directly over Via Vittorio Emanuele — Palermo's historic promenade — with views of the city parade. Warm golden tones, intricately carved wooden ceilings, and opulent headboards. Good natural light.
Queen · 27 sqmSuite Donna Marianna
Named after Donna Marianna Lanza Filangeri, the remarkable 19th-century chatelaine who shaped the palazzo's cultural identity. Deep Mediterranean blue tones throughout. Exposed wooden beams, original hand-painted majolica floor tiles, and a marble-clad bathroom. Smaller than the Ambassador's Suite but deeply atmospheric.
King · 24 sqm
Superior
The canopy bed draped in soft fabrics is the centerpiece. Exposed wooden beams and warm lighting give it the feel of a Sicilian noble bedroom. Can sleep up to three. Marble-accented bathroom with clean lines. A good balance between atmospheric character and comfort.
Queen · 26 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Fortnightly aperitifs hosted by Baroness Simona Arone di Valentino, open to hotel guests and family friends. Grand piano music (Verdi waltzes and the like), crystal glasses, and the atmosphere of a 19th-century Sicilian salon. Timing not guaranteed — ask upon arrival.
Hands-on Sicilian cooking classes with the hotel's chef. Participants work with flour, learn sauce techniques, and discover the spice and technique traditions of Sicilian cuisine. Can be arranged for guests.
The entire palazzo can be reserved exclusively for a single party — guests, families, or private events. Frescoed walls, frescoed ceilings, and a place where time really does feel paused.
The Arone di Valentino family leads guests through the private historic rooms of the palazzo — spaces filled with porcelain collections, original 18th-century furnishings, Donna Marianna's catalogued letters, French fashion magazines, and portraits. Anecdotes include illustrious past guests such as Giacomo Puccini. Organized after breakfast.
A guided tour of Ballarò, Palermo's historic street market, led by the hotel's chef. Guests select ingredients at the stalls and then cook them into authentic dishes. A genuinely local experience.
Boat excursions arranged at sunset from Palermo's coast. Destinations include Isola delle Femmine, Capo Zafferano, and the sea stacks of Tonnara di Scopello. Wine included. Organized through the hotel concierge.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The building has multiple floors accessed via steep stairs and no elevator. Not suitable for guests with mobility challenges.
Dedicated concierge service crafting custom Palermo itineraries and exclusive experiences for guests.
A dedicated butler available throughout the stay — anticipating needs, arranging tea, personalizing the experience. Described as discreet but always present.
There is no swimming pool on-site.
Private transfer service available on request from Palermo airport or train station.
Valet parking service available; private parking lot nearby. No on-site garage.
BUILD YOUR PALAZZO ARONE DEI BARONI DI VALENTINO PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning