Rocco Forte Villa Igiea

This is an absolutely beautiful hotel with the so many gorgeous details (the chandeliers!!). We had a lovely sea view from our room and enjoyed the view every morning at breakfast. The breakfast had plenty to offer, with both a continental buffet and options for cooked food. The cleaning staff were absolutely top notch. They took care of every detail, even giving us bookmarks or microfiber clothes when we left out our book or glasses. Our stay was altogether restful and luxurious. There are few downsides, but a few are perhaps worth noting. The first is the pillows are horribly flat and uncomfortable, which took away from our enjoyment of the room. We were also surprised to be charged for drinking coffees in the room. €3 for a nespresso pod seemed a bit silly, especially when most every other hotel we’ve ever been to offers tea and coffee without charge. The hotel is not close to the city center and most things required a taxi to get to, which does require some planning ahead (no nipping back to the hotel!). We didn’t mind, though, given how lovely our stay was. There are also some nice street food places around for quick lunches.

We’ve been lucky enough to stay in lots of nice hotels in the US and Europe. This is not the best hotel in Palermo (it’s our only one so far), it just may be the best hotel in the world. Staff universally excellent, helpful, friendly and positive. Room outstanding. Views to die for. A small story: after our second night I left on the shelf over the bathroom sinks (yes, there is actually a large shelf to hold your toiletries) a very nearly dead, squeezed out tube of toothpaste. On returning to our room that afternoon, housekeeping had placed on the shelf a new, fresh tube of toothpaste. I’ve never seen anything like that anywhere. We chose the hotel because we are fans of the Balmoral in Edinburgh, and thought another Rocco Forte hotel would be a safe choice. We have been absolutely delighted with every aspect of our stay and send our thanks to the entire staff.

We have travWe travel the world and stay in some fabulous hotels. But this hotel, Villa Igiea, is no doubt the best hotel in which we have ever stayed. For every reason that counts, it is over the top perfect. The ambiance of the hotel is just what you are looking for with all the attention to detail. The front desk staff – the consignors – the doormen – housekeeping – everyone went above and beyond with little effort because this is what they do. They understand the true meaning of customer service. The restaurant and bar staff also had one goal in mind – customer service. The food and beverages were second to none. The bar tenders all have a great sense of humor 😊. No doubt we look forward to our next stay at Villa Igiea. elWe would give this hotel a 5 Star +.

The Villa is stunningly beautiful, a true luxurious retreat. Every detail well thought out, nothing was too much trouble for the staff. The rooms are comfortable and super clean with every amenity. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Breakfast every day on the terrace gets you off to a wonderful start to your day. Highly recommend this place, would definitely come back.

The staff at the Ville Igiea in Palermo, Sicily were more than outstanding! Every person was excellent, but especially the Restaurant staff headed by Anello Girolamo. The food was outstanding and the room staff was also great. I really can’t say one bad thing. The Concierge staff was great, Phillips, Francisco, and the front desk staff were great. The room had a beautiful balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, perfect for a morning coffee or afternoon wine. I would go back there anytime.

I am delighted to let others know about our wonderful stay at Villa Igiea. This was our first stop when my wife and I recently visited Sicily for the first time. We felt so warmly welcomed and well treated at this gorgeous hotel. The staff is very professional and attentive, and the accommodations could not have been more comfortable. The patio/garden area is everything one hopes for in an outdoor Italian space, and we enjoyed a wonderful and very relaxed dinner one evening by the pool. The hotel bar deserves special mention, as it is one of the most beautiful and inviting hotel bars I have ever seen, anywhere. I would not hesitate to stay at this hotel again and will recommend it enthusiastically to anyone I know who is planning a trip to Palermo.

Fantastic views, wonderful accommodations, superb service and great, yummy food! This is the place to stay in Palermo! It is outside the hustle and bustle of Palermo, but it’s easy to get to the main center with their free shuttle. After visiting many sites and shops within the city for a few days, it was so nice to come back to the quiet beautiful grounds of Villa Igiea. Our friends stayed within the town and said it was noisy. We had a wonderful stay. The concierge staff even helped us find the little street where my grandfather lived as a boy. We ate at bother there restaurants and tried their cocktail bar…The restaurants Florio and Alicetta were the BEST meals we had on our entire trip!And their breakfast was wonderful as well. And the bar is in a spectacular setting with great cocktails! We were so blown away by the entire perfect package this hotel has to offer. Salute to the entire staff from the doormen to the front desk to the housekeepers. Loved, loved this place!

Had an overall lovely stay at this hotel a week ago- just not a 5 star stay. Upon arrival the couple that we were traveling with did not have their room ready. They were then told they would be given an “upgrade” for this inconvenience. Turns out that the upgrade was a tiny room the size of a cell w/ a sliver of a sea view. Our friends would have much preferred the room they booked. That said, the rooms are very well appointed, the hotel overall is gorgeous and the grounds are breathtaking. The food is excellent but I found the breakfast service to be spotty. One morning no one came to our table to so much as offer coffee, juice etc. Disappointing. The pool area is nice but a bit worn for the wear however you cannot beat the views and the comfy loungers. Perhaps it was due to the heat, but most pool staff seemed like they were in a bad mood anytime I tried to order a drink. Made for an awkward experience. Finally, on my last day I went down to the concierge and inquired about purchasing the beach tote they leave in the room. Upon check in they made it clear this is an option and I could have just a taken the one I used during the stay but I noticed many other prettier colors/ patterns bags and for $75 thought perhaps I could pick one of those. The concierge barely let me explain myself before cutting me off and telling me to just take the one from my room. I then went on to explain that IF it was possible I’d like to purchase a different one as I have seen nicer styles. I was then interrupted again by this gentleman who literally scoffed and sneered in my face and asked “how would I possibly know as the bags are inside of peoples rooms” ….. I actually made the mistake of lowering myself and explaining that I’ve seen all different ones at the pool being used by guests - which is why they are there !! How would I not know that there were other options. I then told him to never mind, I didn’t need to see any others and headed for the elevator. The gentleman, who said his name was Francisco I believe, followed me to the elevator yelling and badgering me because he knew how out of order he was and likely expected me to just take his poor behavior on the chin. In fact, earlier that morning I saw Francisco in a tussle with a guest that he has clearly treated poorly. Funnily enough I felt sympathy for him at first until I had my own run in later that day. Anyway, all that to say overall the experience is not 5 stars and I have traveled extensively and stayed in true 5 star hotels. However, ending it on such a rude note with the concierge left me with a very negative memory of this hotel. A shame.