The inexplicably-named Hotel Orientale is located just a 2 minute walk from the central train and bus station at Palermo, and near to a lot of the main tourist attractions (churches etc) that Palermo has to offer. The hotel itself is situated in a magnificent courtyard, although once you get inside it is very basic. For some reason the room had a TV but no plug. There was air conditioning, but overall I would rate the room as a 2-star.
I would advise learning basic Italian because the staff don't speak much English. I arrived at 11pm and the night receptionist didn't speak a word of it, and also seemed more interested in watching the football on TV than serving me. Not the most welcoming start to my holiday.
If you want nightlife then I would suggest staying somewhere in the northern half of the city (Orientale is in the south) as I could find only one bar in an hour of wandering the streets.
This hotel is ideal for a tourist who is on a tight budget, confident with their Italian and wants to immerse themselves in culture. For the casual tourist who has a bit more money and perhaps wants some night life, I would strongly advise staying somewhere further north in the city.
- Orientale Hotel Palermo
