Excelsior Palace Palermo ★★★★

It was about time I had another grand affair with the Renaissance beauty of Italy. I yearned to sip cappuccinos in quiet piazzas flanked with grand palaces; I longed to search through the elegant boutique stores for elegant Italian goods; I craved delectable pastas, hams, and cheeses; I hankered for culture, sun, and history in equal measure. Yes, I was overdue an affair with Italy, and I planned to do it in style.

Cue the Excelsior Palace Palermo **** in the centre of classy, cultural Palermo on the beautiful, sun-drenched island of Sicily. Nowhere could have accommodated my Italian affair better. The high-ceilinged halls, golden archways, and dark wooden furniture spurred on my fantasy, and the deliciously filling breakfasts of pastries and juicy, fresh fruit were to die for. Yes the Excelsior Palace Palermo **** was ideal.

Standing proudly in the centre of charming Palermo in Vialedella Liberta, a prestigious area renowned for its selection of high-end boutique stores and luxury eateries, the hotel is in the middle of all the action. I was spoilt for choice with leafy, bustling piazzas where I spent many an hour sipping lusciously smooth Italian coffee and daydreaming, I browsed through luxurious stores filled with displays made from the finest materials, I dined on superb pasta dishes and ate fresh, local hams and cheeses, and I soaked up the history of the city, which is imbued in the grand, intricate architecture, and in the collection of museums and galleries dotted around – all just moments away from my lavish, comfortable room at the Excelsior Palace.

It’s safe to say that the elegantly rustic facades of the buildings, paired with the winding, cobbled streets of the charming old town provided the perfect romantic setting for my trip, and I discovered something new and exciting around every twist and turn – a gorgeous, fine piece of stonework here, or a charming patisserie there. Palermo is a typical Sicilian city, full of lavish history stemming back far beyond the Middle Ages, and draped with a classy sophistication that can only be found in Italy. All of this together serves to inspire an insatiable desire for adventure!

Each day was spent living the Italian dream and making the most of my affair with this beautiful country, which was enhanced by the majestic surroundings of the hotel – soft red carpet trailing up the wide staircases, the opulent, marble floors, and the stunning Murano chandeliers, which gave the impression of a palatial interior. In actual fact, the hotel was once the location of the National Exhibition of Palermo, a pivotal building in the history of the city. Today, it has been renovated to perfection, but its stylish, Art Nouveau roots have remained. Nestled somewhat in the past thanks to its important role in Palermo’s history, the hotel also boasts modern facilities and comforts – and here I’m talking about the Wi-Fi, the flat-screen TVs, and the exquisitely soft bedding.

And, when it comes to food, the Excelsior Palace Palermo **** has it spot on. There are two restaurants: the Liberty, a beautiful, art-nouveau inspired space serving up traditional Mediterranean cuisine with a twist, and the Exe, which has a mouth-watering menu of light dishes set inside a quirky 1960s-style room designed by Giorgio Pes.

I had gone in search of a renaissance affair with Italy, and I had found the luxurious details for which I hankered in the beautifully old city of Palermo, imbued with a fascinating cultural heritage, and an old but classy ambiance. But, even more so, I had discovered the Excelsior Palace Palermo **** a palace from which to live out my Italian dream. From the lavish red carpets, to the grand chandeliers and marble floors, I had found the perfect place to conduct my affair with Italy.