Hotel Athenaeum - Palermo

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2008

The staff at the Athenaeum couldn't be nicer or more helpful. The rooms are large and clean. Breakfast was substantial. The local bus to the center of Palermo is 200 meters away. A great sandwich shop "Johnnys" is about 400 meters away. Good sandwiches at good prices. One of the major bus hubs "Piazza Independance" is within walking distance. I highly recommend Athenaeum.

Guest name: WR, USA

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Oct 2007

This hotel is a very good value for the price. It is clean and located well for shopping - we walked everywhere we wanted to go. It has off-street, underground parking. It is not what I would call beautifully furnished, but it had everything we needed including a small refrigerator in the room. Our room had a very large balcony, but the view from it was nothing beautiful to see. The breakfasts were plentiful and good. The staff was friendly. The only complaint I would have is that our room was located next to the elevator and every time it went up or down, it was very noisy.

Guest name: PL, USA

Average rating:  6.5

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Aug 2007

chambre spartiate et austere, hotel difficile a trouver; parking appeciable quand on est en voiture, mais trop loin du centre pour faire l'aller retour facilement. tres bon petit dejeuner par rapport au reste. bruyant.

Guest name: BN, France

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2007

dubbelroom on 4 th floor

Guest name: DG, Sweden

Average rating:  5.7

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Feb 2007

This hotel wasn't bad but the location was terrible. 25 minute walk, on obstructed sidewalks, from the station. Too far from historic area. No nearby restaurants or shops. The hotel staff was friendly but not helpful.

Guest name: Nicole Long, Canada

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Jul 2006

Air conditoning effective and highly appreciated in July! Quiet, rather large room. Simple but correct regarding the price (65 Euros with breakfast) The only drawback is the poor surrounding in this area of Palermo

Guest name: BV, France

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Aug 2006

The hotel is in a nice modern building, convenient for the University and the Royal Palace (and Palazzo Real/Orleans train station). The poor residential area where the hotel is located initially seemed an unlikely location for a hotel, but actually is OK. The room was large and had two large working desks, bookshelves and a spare bed.

Guest name: Robert Tubbs, Italy

Average rating:  7.1

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Jul 2006

a little bit hard to find.good parking for the car.good welcoming.

Guest name: DC, France

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Apr 2006

Nice hotel, but don't get a room above the entrance to the undercroft parking! The gates opening and shutting were going at all hours and literally kept us awake all night!

Guest name: LJ, United Kingdom

Average rating:  6.4

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Mar 2006

Während unseres Aufenthalts wurde von einer im Hotel wohnenden italienischen Schulklasse unzu- mutbarer Lärm verursacht, so dass der durchaus positive Gesamteindruck des Hotels erheblich beeinträchtigt wurde... (leider !).

Guest name: Frank Dr. Ritter, Germany

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Nov 2005

Das Hotel liegt zwar ein wenig abseits des Zentrums, doch in 10 Min. ist man am Normannenpalast und somit am Eingang des Zentrums. Das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis im Vergleich zu unseren Hotels im übrigen Sizilien ist einmalig.

Guest name: Maria-Theresia Bürger, Germany

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Group

stayed in Oct 2005

The booked room was cancelled by the hotel Centro a day before journey in Palermo. This was very bad. We were very satisfied with the new reservation in the hotel athenaeum.

Guest name: MO, Germany

Average rating:  6.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Aug 2005

Las habitaciones están un poco anticuadas pero limpias

Guest name: Jose F. Martín Miranda, Spain

Average rating:  8.6

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Sep 2005

Good hotel for the money. Free parking which is a great benefit. Rooms are a little bit dingy but perfectly fine and clean. Breakfast was good. Staff helpful.

Guest name: JC, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Aug 2005

A nice hotel very near to the historic centre. Reasonable prices. - Un buen hotel muy cerca del centro histórico. Precios razonables.

Guest name: II, Spain

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Aug 2005

muy buena relacion calidad precio, la habitacion muy espaciosa, el baño todo nuevo y muy limpio,los empleados muy amables. Lo unico es que esta un poco lejos del centro, por lo demas todo perfecto.

Guest name: NS, Spain

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jul 2005

la zona è quella dell'università di palermo ,quindi non il massimo ma cmq l'albergo si difende bene,comodo con il parcheggio coperto e privato ,stanza più grande di quanto mi aspettassi ,pulita senza fronzoli.

Guest name: Samuel Basilico', Italy

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2005

Mancano alcuni cartelli per trovare la via per l'albergo. Accanto a questo tutto era ottimo. L'albergo si trova vicino al vecchio parte di Palermo, buono per scoprire la città.

Guest name: JB, Germany

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2005

The Athaneum is very easy to find when driving from the airport (this is important if you have never driven in Palermo!) The staff were very welcoming and helpful and spoke very good English. They were able to help with all of our queries, they gave good advice and very clear directions. Breakfast was very good (a buffet). The room was spacious, clean and quiet enough with facilities exactly as described. The bathroom was particularly clean and the shower was very good.

Guest name: Ian Woodcock, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2005

Die Lage des Hotels ist zwar etwas vom Zentrum entfernt; gleichwohl ist gute Erreichbarkeit gegeben (von Stazione Centrale mit Bus -Linie 234- bis auf 100 Meter ans Ziel). Guter, professioneller Empfang; an der Rezeption wird mindestens Englisch, teilweise auch deutsch gesprochen. Zimmer ordentlich; die zur Straße gelegenen laut (aber wo in Palermo ist es ruhig?). Frühstück mit ausreichendem Angebot an Nahrungsmitteln, aber lieblos - also ohne jede Deko - angeboten. Für einen "Erholungsurlaub" ungeeignet; als Basis für einen Erlebnisurlaub in Palermo und Umgebung jedoch gut geeignet. Wir würden wieder hier buchen.

Guest name: Manfred Hülsmeier, Germany

Average rating:  5.2

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Mar 2005

It's not in the 'train station area' as you say..it is far from the station.

Guest name: SM, Italy

Average rating:  6.3

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Mar 2005

Das Hotel ist im Hinblick auf das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis in Ordnung. Die Umgebung ist allerdings nicht besonders schön, was allerdings nahezu für ganz Palermo gilt. Das Frühstücksbuffet ist besser als in den anderen Hotels, bei den wir in Sizilien waren. Die Zimmer waren sauber und das Personal freundlich.

Guest name: KK, Germany

Average rating:  7.1

Guest type: Single corporate traveller

stayed in Mar 2005

internet connection is very very slow

Guest name: VINCENZO CONTE, Italy

Average rating:  5.4

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Feb 2005

This hotel was difficult to find but the location was actually OK for us since we had a car. They have free parking in a secure garage which is a big plus! However the hotel itself looked like a college dorm - very far from 'elegantly furnished' as they claim. Our room was very unattractive with overhead florescent lighting and tiny dorm-style beds, even the desks looked like they were from a boarding school. Other than the parking the only other plus was that we had a HUGE outdoor patio - ask for one of these few rooms on the 2nd floor with the patios. Not walking distance to most things, unless you are visiting the university which is very close by. Breakfast was standard but room was loud and unattractive.

Guest name: Gregory Paris, USA

Average rating:  7.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2004

We had big problems to find the hotel though signed from big street ...

Guest name: Frank Fuessl, Germany

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2004

good clean hotel. Friendly staff.

Guest name: MA, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2004

Hotel was ok, but from the website I got the impression that it will be much closer to the city centre. Of course, the location further away gave us more peaceful surroundings. Price was not so bad, maybe a little too high for such rather basic room.

Guest name: TT, Finland

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2004

Very good value hotel, decor of rooms a little basic perhaps but well equipped, clean and comfortable. Staff especially on reception exceptionally helpful. The are in which the hotel is located is not great but it is only a few minutes walk from major sights. The breakfast was only okay but the dinners available were very good. We would stay there again

Guest name: JB, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Aug 2004

The hotel was good value and the staff were very helpful.

Guest name: Elke Handberg, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Couple with children

stayed in Aug 2004

Ci siamo trovati molto bene, tanto da pernottare due sere e non una sola come prestabilito!

Guest name: Cristina Bonino, Italy

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Aug 2004

Hotel veramente buono... magari il prezzo un po' più basso sarebbe stato meglio!

Guest name: Giorgio Scollo Abeti, Italy

Average rating:  5.8

Guest type: Couple with children

stayed in Jul 2004

Breakfast was awful! The coffee was colder than the dismal cold buffet. Also, I would expect much nicer surroundings for the price of the hotel.

Guest name: RL, United Kingdom

Average rating:  5.8

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jul 2004

It is A decent hotel well placed in the city. It may be hard to find, but convenient for price, breakfeast, parking and location.

Guest name: Leo Lombardi, Canada

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Jul 2004

Conveniently located just outside of the city center. The local area lacks restaurants. The hotel has a medicore quality restaurant. None the less a good value.

Guest name: John Battista, USA

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Jul 2004

Sehr gutes Mittelklassehotel: Jeden Tag frische Bettwäsche, Handtücher und Raumsäuberung. Frühstücksbuffet ausreichend und frisch! Nähe zur öffentlichen Busstationen und damit ein paar Minuten ins Zentrum. Umgebung nicht super schön, aber auf jeden Fall angemessen und sicher.

Guest name: Gianpiero Schiro, Germany

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Jul 2004

Very good service & friendly employees

Guest name: Arthur Edward Lewis, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2004

I really liked the hotel. The surrounding of the hotel is not inviting, but thats frequent in Palermo. The distance to the main touristic places is not as bad as a previous reviewer wrote, especially the Norman Palace and Cathedral are not very far from the hotel. We were very friendly welcomed by a female receptionist, the other day the male receptionist was much less polite.

Guest name: Rudolf Posch, Austria

Average rating:  6.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2004

convenient location friendly English-speaking staff excellent meals

Guest name: PD, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2004

Hotel is very near to the centre, it is easy to reach all sights per leg. Room and bathroom was really OK, we also had a big terrace. If you are coming by car the easiest way to find the hotel is to follow the sign UNIVERSITY.

Guest name: Andreas Gerzsenyi, Austria

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2004

Hotel not so far from the old city, excellent welcoming, correct breakfast : interesting address to stay in Palermo

Guest name: Bernard LANOUE, France

Average rating:  8.4

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2004

We missed a smoker's corner in public areas of hotel.

Guest name: Elfriede WIDL, Austria

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2004

stairs, landings and corridors to rooms are dark and too plain. Friendly and helpful staff and a good breakfast (we were B&B). You should emphasise the proximity to the railway to Punta Raisi Airport, bus station, Cathedral and Regional Parliament. Add a mention of hairdryer provided to your description too.

Guest name: Peter Gorton, United Kingdom

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2004

Very nice new hotel with excellent value for the price in a city like Palermo...

Guest name: Jean-Luc Gregoire, Canada

Average rating:  8.4

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2004

It's a nice hotel at a good price. It isn't in a central zone of Palermo.

Guest name: Federica Pezzi, Italy

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2003

Very nice hotel. Easy to find, because well indicated coming from the highway. A little far from the centre of the city (about 25min walking) and not a lot of place to eat in the area. We have no tested the restaurant of the hotel. Ce n’est pas indiqué sur le site, mais le personnel à la réception parle bien français.

Guest name: Franc Benoit, Belgium

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2003

Our romm was in 7th floor under the mechanics of the elevator, which is very noisely. Nevertheles god hotel in its category

Guest name: BD, France

Average rating:  6.1

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Sep 2003

French and Canadian tourists, we stayed at this hotel in september 2003. This hotel seems to be the only one to advertise. From kilometers away, signs are installed and so it is easy to reach it. The location is very convenient : the most interesting part of the city starts within 15 minutes walk (no need to drive in the unbelievable traffic!); the closest avenue leads directly to Montreale and the highway is 3 minutes away. Part of the staff does speak english and/or french - can you believe it ? We had 2 rooms : one was correct, and the other just about. A remark on the 40 TV channels : 4 were not correctly tuned, 1 was in english (MTV music channel) and the 35 remaining were in italian including 22 shopping channels ! Very attractive for foreigners ! But anyway, it is a good hotel but of course a bit expensive as most of the hotels in Italy.

Guest name: PATRICK MESROUA, France

Average rating:  7.5

Guest type: Single corporate traveller

stayed in Sep 2003

Hotel small, but clean. Surrounding area is a bit grotty. Menu is limited and catering operations are run separately from the hotel. Limited restaurants in area, however city centre is 30 min walk / 10 min taxi.

Guest name: David Styring, United Kingdom

Average rating:  5.7

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Sep 2003

Excellent staff and very friendly and helpful to us, did their best to help us 'foreigners' out. was very disappointed with food in restaurant (granted we were late and they were rushing to get us out the door and they charged us less for it without us asking so can't complain too much, ideally they shouldn't have taken us in if it was closing time). Room was basic, had what was needed...bed, bathroom and tv, not luxury accomodation by any means but the staff made the stay much more pleasant. Room was very noisy though, could here people in the hall and next door tooooo clearly. Lovely staff!

Guest name: CG, Ireland

Average rating:  3.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2003

This hotel is too far from the centre of Palermo. The the area around it does not feel particularly welcoming. The hotel rooms have absolutely no atmosphere they feel more like a room in a hospital. The restuarant is pretty expensive as it has a set price per head it doesn't accept credit cards and can't be charged to the room.

Guest name: HM, United Kingdom