During our trip to Sicily, a last minute change of plans had us spending 24 hours in Palermo. There was little time to look for accommodation and we needed a hotel that was relatively inexpensive but comfortable. Since we were arriving by bus from Mazara del Vallo and there was a stop near Teatro Politeama, we were a little limited in our search criteria.
Hotel Cristal Palace is located at Via Roma, around the corner from the bus stop, making it a convenient spot only a short walk away with our heavy suitcases.
The hotel building is not difficult to find from the distance. With our booking pre-paid, we soon find ourselves in our room unpacking the bare essentials.
The room is spacious and basic with minimalist furniture. The king sized bed still leaves room to move around and is quite firm and very comfortable to sleep in.
There is a small desk near the window and a good sized wardrobe.
The view from the room offers glimpses of the nearby mountains and this cute building with shutters and little balconies.
The bathroom comes with modern fittings and by European standards it is considered to be of a decent size .
The shower screen is tiny in comparison and what you normally expect to find in Italy. It can be a challenge to move inside it if you are a very large person. However, the shower head with massager makes for a nice long shower.
Downstairs, the lobby has a modern look and while the staff are welcoming they can be a little reserved at times. The hotel seems more geared towards business travellers and those with short stays. Wifi is available at extra cost. Free internet can be accessed in the lobby though we had no time to use it.
Breakfast is included in the price of the room and is what you would expect from the standard continental type with pastries, jams, toasts and coffee.
We spent one day in Palermo and visited many of the sights easily by foot. A taxi rank around the corner from the hotel makes it convenient to get around if you need it. There is a good choice of restaurants around, including Taverna Siciliana where had a fabulous meal (review to come).
For a short stay in Palermo with basic accommodation in a handy location, Hotel Cristal Palace offers good value.
Cristal Palace Hotel
Via Roma 477/D
Palermo Sicily
Italy
http://www.hotelcristalpalace.net
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Looks like a good find for a budget level hotel if I make it as far down as Sicily.
If you have budget in mind for a short stay, it won’t disappoint.
It looks more functional than fashionable – although the bathrrom looks modern and fresh – can’t say I’ll be seeking it out although as you say, perfectly OK for one night
Functional is a good description. For a last minute find at the right price, we weren’t disappointed in our one night stay.
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