Al Giardino dell'Alloro

We stayed here in February when Palermo has few tourists. Our hosts were very welcoming and friendly and made sure we were warm and comfortable and had everything we needed. They also recommended good local restaurants and organised transport to the airport, Our family room(s) were spacious and the shower room was good. We had a Nespresso coffee machine and a kettle and could have cooked in the room had we wanted to - several small family food shops and a decent baker were close by. We can see why a good friend recommended this place to us - we would certainly return.

We spent three nights in Al Giardino, while we explored the delights of Palermo. The b&b is very stylish and comfortable, with spacious accommodation. It is located in a quiet part of the old town, within easy reach of all the key sights. A free bus that regularly circulates the city stops in the lane just outside - so convenient! We would like to thank Donnatella and her very friendly assistant for their warm welcome and helpful suggestions about where to eat etc. Altogether a highly recommended place to stay. |Ps forgot to mention the substantial breakfast, which we took in the attractive inner courtyard. A very pleasant way to start the day!

Al Giardino is in the perfect place to stay in Palermo. From this little hide-away, you can easily walk to almost any point in the center of the old city. Even better, within 50 m of the door is a free shuttle that can spare you the energy of walking to central Palermo sites, so you can walk around at your destination. The B&B is also quite attractive, functional, clean and has a staff willing to help in any way. They even saved us from being fined for driving in a center city toll zone. Comfortable accommodations and a friendly cat make you feel right at home. There are several good restaurants within a 10 minute walk.

Lots to like - a great location in La Kalsa just off Via Alloro, easy walking distance from the train station, two friendly cats, a degree of character in the room including works from local artists and, above all, excellent service from Murali, the Sri Lankan born concierge. Cleaning was also carried out very quickly and efficiently (Palermo is a tricky city to remain fragrant in) and the fruit at breakfast was enjoyable. Downsides are few although we might have wished for fresh bread at breakfast and prices are perhaps on the high side.

I found the room on the ground floor with view over the courtyard not very private and with only one window. Other rooms on upper floors would be better. Rooms are spacious. Breakfast is fine but the coffee could use an update. The reception is not always open so consider prearranging your arrival and departure. The rooms are a little dated to be honest.

Stayed here for two nights. Had a large double room, was very clean. Staff were super friendly and helpful. A/C worked perfectly ||||Located a short walk, 5 or so mins, from the centre of Palermo and the train station.||||I would definitely consider staying here again.

We were a group of 3 couples, having booked 9 months previously. Arrived at 9 pm from the airport to be told they didn’t have the 3 double rooms as they were decorating. We were given 2 apartments - one for two a walk away and another for 4 nearer but it was a family room with a very uncomfortable sofa bed in the sitting room. Access to the bathroom was through the sitting room. Breakfast was very inadequate basically self catering, not in the ‘lovely courtyard’ No service. No warning of this was given.||||A discount was offered which did not compensate for the experience. Card machine broke down so only took cash. Too big a party to find somewhere else. Extremely disappointing. We can not recommend. I only give positive reviews usually but on this occasion I felt compelled to write this.

Having read a review in The Guardian for Al Giardino, we were so impressed we cancelled our original accommodation booked in Palermo and contacted Donatella directly and confirmed our booking on 20/3/19. When we arrived at Al Giardino on 6/7/19 and buzzed to be let in, she said she had her mother staying with her and had no record of our booking and cut me off on the intercom! Panic stricken, I got our iPad and pulled up the email trail as she would not answer the intercom again but I found a record of the phone number so called and was put through to an answerphone. I left a message advising her how unprofessional this was and quoted the dates of all our emails and that I would take this further. I continued to press the buzzer and she returned saying that she was arranging for someone to come to see if he could help us from another B&B. Luckily Giusseppe from Harmony B&B was amazing and sorted us an apartment out or this could have completely ruined our family holiday. I understand that Donatella may have had something crop up in her personal life but when you run a business, the least she should have done was to either email or phone us to advise before we actually arrived on her doorstep. Wouldn't risk staying with someone so unprofessional.