Tripology Travel Experts Blog: Palermo

Palermo's Mercure Hotel--Smart, Affordable

by CelebrateTravelInc, 10/28/2009 14:10
Destination: Palermo
Category: Hotels

We arrived in Palermo after two days of traveling from California, exhausted, hungry, and worn. So, it was a relief to pull up to our centrally located Mercure Centro Hotel, a modest Accor property that is situated on a corner.

Our double room on the 4th floor overlooked a side street that was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday night. The décor was modern and functional and somewhat minimalist with regard to fancy adornments.

A large counter running the length of one wall held our supplies, and a valet propped against the wall held our suitcases. Ample closet space to store our clothes for our two- night stay.

The bathroom was large, and the lovely charcoal gray floor tiles were a dramatic contrast to the granite and white checkered ceramic walls. A single wash basin was large, and I was pleased to note the complimentary bath amenities were of nice quality with a fresh eucalyptus scent. The shower was unusually large for a hotel of this modest quality (which I later learned to be not the case for other rooms). The shower faucet delivered an invigorating, adjustable spray which helped to wash away the jetlag. Ample towels and a towel warmer (I love Europe’s towel warmers!) completed this well-equipped bathroom. Oh, an important note to the ladies: I was happy to discover sufficient lighting to apply make-up and not look like a clown.

The included breakfast buffet was hearty and robust. A huge array of meats, cheeses (including fresh mozzarella balls), breads, cereals, fruits, and delicious pastries were tempting. A medley of renowned Sicilian olives was delightful—albeit atypical of American breakfasts. But my feeling is that a delicacy is a delicacy any time of the day. I would have liked to linger over my deliciously strong Italian coffee (not that insipid, diluted Americanized version I’ve been served elsewhere), but I had a meeting to attend. And what really made me happy at breakfast was that the staff produced a glass of soymilk for my cereal. As a vegan, I don’t eat dairy, so I frequently pack my own carton of soymilk for travel. But this time I didn’t check luggage and only brought carry-on bags, so I had to depend on the vagaries of each hotel to supply my soymilk. So that was a real plus that I don’t even routinely get at 5* luxury properties.

The reception desk and lobby are bright and welcoming, and there is complimentary Internet access (when the Internet connection is cooperating). I found the Front Desk extremely helpful and courteous; they went out of their way to confirm my rail connections, ferry schedule, and price out taxis for various destinations. All with a smile and a ‘prego’.

The downsides I noted: no in-room safe and no individual room-climate control. Best to leave valuables at the Front Desk to lock in the hotel safe (or not travel with valuables at all!). We called down to Reception to lower our room’s temperature, but opening the window was more effective in reducing the room’s stuffiness.

When people generalize that Europe is too costly or the euro makes bargains hard to find, I remind my travel agency clients that it’s a matter of knowing where to go, where to stay, and what to see. Considered a 4* standard by Italy standards, we Americans would probably rate the Mercure Centro Hotel 3*. But it’s a decent, clean, functional, affordable, and centrally located property from which to base your sightseeing operations in 2700 yr old Palermo. Email or call me for more information on Mercure Centro Hotel or other hotels in Italy.

Filed under:  Hotels, Palermo, Italy
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