Rooms under £100: Palermo
Hotel stays are a steal during October when the crowds have thinned and long, balmy evenings prevail in the historic Sicilian capital.
01 Palazzo Brunaccini
In the rabbit warren of alleyways around the melting-pot Ballarò Market, Palazzo Brunaccini has updated a historic building with an almost Nordic design: crisp white walls, chic beamed ceilings and pale wooden furniture in the vast rooms. Don't miss the on-site Slow Food restaurant. Doubles from £54.
02 Ambasciatori Hotel
An old-school hotel rejuvenated with parquet flooring, pastel walls and the odd leather headboard. But you don't stay at the Ambasciatori for the charming decor; you stay for the rooftop terrace offering some of the best views of the city centre. Doubles from £53.
03 Casale del Principe
Up in the hills above the city, near the Norman Cathedral of Monreale, this upmarket agrirelais (hotel on a working farm) has breathtaking views of Palermo and the Conca d'Oro basin, beautifully rustic rooms, and even a spa. What could be better? The homegrown fruit, olive oil and wine, maybe. Doubles from £71.
04 Alma Hotel
Small but perfectly formed, the family-run Alma has the feel of a B&B (just seven rooms on the third floor of a block of flats). But the style's far from fusty, with feature walls showcasing Sicilian photography, scarlet beds and a bright breakfast room where your host, Antonella, cooks every morning. Doubles from £64.
Published in the October 2015 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)
