Grand Hotel Wagner

A charming, old-style hotel right in the city center. We didn't try the spa. The staff was polite, and the breakfast buffet was plentiful. The hotel is also conveniently located near a bus stop for the airport line, making it ideal.

Some rooms are noisy

This experience was so disappointing that I never want to stay at or book this hotel again.

The room is very beautiful, just like in the photos. The entire hotel has a very classic style, and even the porters wear the typical outfits you only see in movies, so you have to like that genre, otherwise go elsewhere. I found the room turning down service a bit imprecise, with objects and lights moved around as they pleased instead of the way I left them. They also say they provide a bottle of water per day (in case you waste it), but even that was missed one day. Another inaccuracy regarding the laundry: it says to leave the bag with the laundry on the bed by 10:00, but if the housekeeper comes to the room after 10:00, what should you do? Go get her or run after her with the bag of laundry? The breakfast is good, but not exceptional. The prices are still excessive for what they offer, especially since a treadmill and an elliptical trainer don't constitute a gym.

If you want to stay in a traditional 5 star hotel with olde world surroundings and want to enjoy the service and travel experience from a previous age, this is the place. Bell boys (men in fact) in red uniforms, suited reception, maids with caps and pinnafores, evening turn down service with bedside mats and change of towels; I was reminded of a bygone age. Best of all was how helpful and friendly everyone is. This is a credit to Gisella the Hotel Director who has obviously ensured that the hotel’s culture is reflected in the staff. Previous reviews have commented on the street noise. Yes it can be noisy but correct use of the wooden external shutters dampens this down. They need to be closed and the shutter slats closed. We noticed quite a difference when we did this. The hotel is very centrally located for everything (restaurants, shops and sights) and is very walkable. If you want a taxi, ask reception to book one which means it will be metered. Usual issues with having to negotiate otherwise. We also used the bus service in Via Roma. Hotel side of Via Roma if heading towards Central Station. Buy tickets from the tabac and endorse in the bus on machine near the driver. Many buses have inspectors who you can pay instead. Recommend taking the bus 101 for frequency. We waited a long time for the 124 to Capo market. There is also a free transit bus. Get map from the hotel. Buffet breakfast was enormous and a treat. There is even prosecco if you feel like it. Cooked breakfast, fresh fruit, continental breakfast and especially all the cakes and sweet treats. There is something for everyone. We can only thank the staff (too many to mention by name and we didn’t get everyone’s name) for everything they did for us during our 8 day stay and before we arrived. Special thanks go to Wim and Roberto on Reception for dealing with our multiple queries and booking restaurants, calling taxis, etc. Wim also booked our day in the Lido in Cefalu for us. Alessia in the breakfast dining room for remembering our drinks order in the morning which was appreciated. Alessio the bell boy who helped me out by pointing out that the easypark app had my car in the wrong location and helped me use the parking machine. We hired a car from Sicily by Car in Stabilo Marine and had an excellent experience. Use the app for a cheaper rate but make sure you get roadside cover too. There is parking around the hotel but it is challenging to get a car space as it is free after 8pm until 8am. It is also very tight parking. Also best to use the parking machines as easypark app can get your car location wrong and it is mainly apcoa (different operator not on the anpp) around the hotel. The machines can start the parking time from 8am the next day so no need to get up early. The hotel can arrange parking if you can’t find a space. Be aware there is a ZTL Palermo in operation which requires daily payment and registration if you enter the zone. The hotel is outside the ZTL but Wim can help you with this if necessary. Highly recommended to stay. You won’t be disappointed. We used SicilyTransfer to go to Palermo airport and the hotel can book this for you as they are on its central reservation system. Nice knowledgeable driver (Giacomo) in a Mercedes van.

I really enjoyed my stay at Grand Hotel Wagner. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The rooms are big and have everything you need. The staff in charge of cleaning the rooms does two rounds of clean and makes sure that everything is clean and tidy. At night they leave a mat next to the bed and a chocolate on the bedside table. The style of the hotel is classic/liberty. The position is ideal to be close to the centro storico ad you're less than 10 min walk from Teatro Massimo and via Maqueda. We were very satisfied with the variety and quality of the breakfast and the choice of wines in the bar is also good.

We had a fantastic stay at the Grand Hotel Wagner. Great location - close enough to the main attractions without being in the tourist corridor. Rooms are lovely, and the ac works great. Included breakfast was plentiful and the fresh fruit was delicious, other items of eggs, meats, yogurt, pastries, etc. The staff was so kind and helpful, especially Wim at the front desk who graciously let us practice our elementary level Italian and chat about languages and life in Palermo.