Double or Twin Room Private Bathroom
- 1 King-size bed
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Hotel · Palermo · Sicily
Hotel Cortese
A straightforward 2-star in Palermo's old quarter, a short walk from the markets and the city's main sights.
- Close to Ballarò Market and the old town
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Simple, clean rooms with air conditioning
7.9
Very good
1001 reviews
Booking.com 7.9 · 1001 reviews
About
Hotel Cortese
Hotel Cortese occupies a practical spot in Palermo's historic centre, roughly 1.4 km from the Oratory of Saint Lawrence. It's a 2-star property that keeps things simple: a lift, a snack and drink vending machine, and rooms that come with air conditioning, heating, and a flat-screen TV. The vibe is no-frills, but guests consistently mention cleanliness and a helpful team.
The surrounding streets are a maze of narrow alleys, and the daily markets sit just behind the hotel, turning into a lively bar and restaurant scene at night. It's not a hushed suburb — you'll hear the city — but for travellers who want to be in the middle of Palermo's energy, it's hard to beat.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- VIP check-in/ -out
- Concierge desk
- No pets allowed
- Security
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
4 reasons to book- Hard to beat for location — Guests repeatedly note the hotel is steps from Palermo's old town, the daily markets, and many tourist sights — a short walk from the train station.
- Staff go out of their way — Multiple reviews highlight a welcoming, helpful team that suggests restaurants, gives directions, and even arranges airport transport.
- Clean, simple rooms — The rooms are consistently described as clean and comfortable, with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and essential amenities.
- Good value for money — For a 2-star, guests find the quality surprisingly high relative to the price, especially given the central position.
–
Worth weighing
5 to weigh- The surroundings are loud and gritty — Guests note constant noise from the busy market and university crowd, and the narrow streets can feel unkempt. It's authentic, but not for light sleepers or those wanting a quiet retreat.
- Rooms can be small — Several guests mention compact rooms, which may feel tight for anyone wanting more space, though they're clean.
- No on-site parking — There's no parking provided, so you'll need to rely on public parking or arrive by other means — typical for the old town.
- Facilities are basic — The hotel's facilities score is the lowest category, and there's no restaurant on site, just a vending machine for snacks and drinks.
- Check-out is early — You'll need to be out by 10:00, which might be a stretch if you're planning a leisurely morning.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Triple Room Private Bathroom
- 1 King-size bed
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Single Room
- 1 Single bed
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Deluxe Single Room
- 1 Single bed
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Lift
- Vending machines
- Security
- Luggage storage
Services
- VIP check-in/ -out
- Concierge desk
- Housekeeping
- Fax/Photocopying
Room comfort
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Flat-screen TV
- Free toiletries
- Cots
Outdoor & leisure
- Terrace
- Sun terrace
- Leisure/ TV room
Safety
- Smoke detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Key card access
- Key access
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 7.9/10 from 1,001 reviews
Booking.com · 7.9 · 1001 reviews
7.9Verified guest“The staff were welcoming, everything was spotless, and you couldn't ask for a better spot, right in the tourist heart.”
7.9Verified guest“Rooms are compact but well-sized, and breakfast is a proper continental spread with tea, local dishes, and plenty of choice — the location is unbeatable for walking to downtown Palermo.”
7.9Verified guest“Great position, pleasant staff, and only 30 minutes from the airport, with a public market a stone's throw away.”
7.9Verified guest“Cosy rooms with enough space to spread out — a relief for someone who feels cramped easily. Yes, it's noisy outside, but the breakfast croissant almost made up for it.”
7.9Verified guest“In the thick of Palermo's old town — the narrow streets are a puzzle, but it's worth finding. The daily markets are right behind, turning into bars and restaurants for the university crowd at night. Not for everyone, but perfect for us. Staff go out of their way to make you feel at home, and we always felt safe despite the rough-and-ready streets.”
7.9Verified guest“The room was on the small side but very clean, and the hotel is central, close to all the key buildings.”
04 — Location
Getting around Palermo
The property sits in Palermo.
Palermo's old town: The hotel sits in the maze of narrow streets that make up the historic centre, with landmarks like the Oratory of Saint Lawrence about 1.4 km away.
Markets and nightlife: Just behind the hotel are the daily markets — Ballarò Market is close by — which at night morph into bars and restaurants frequented by the university crowd.
Getting around: Palermo's main train station is a short walk or taxi ride away, and the airport is about 30 minutes by car.
Via Scarparelli 16, Palermo, Sicily, 90134, Italy
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 12:00-23:59
- Check-out
- By 10:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 23 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 12:00 until 23:59, and check-out is by 10:00.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, guests mention a continental breakfast with tea, local dishes, and a good selection.
Are pets allowed at Hotel Cortese?
No, pets are not allowed on the property.
Is there parking available?
The hotel does not offer on-site parking — you'll need to use public parking in the area.
Does the hotel have air conditioning?
Yes, rooms come with air conditioning and heating.
How far is the hotel from the airport?
Palermo airport is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel, and you can arrange airport transport with the staff.
Are family rooms or cots available?
The hotel has triple rooms that can accommodate a family, and cots are available on request.
The bottom line
A clean, well-located budget option in Palermo's old town, best for travellers who value position and friendly service over quiet and space.
7.9Our take, based on guest feedback and hotel data
Ready to book Hotel Cortese?
Tap through and we’ll open our booking partner’s site, with live prices and availability for your exact dates.
No payment on this site — you complete the booking on our partner’s site.