Ghosts of the Belle poque

The Grand Hôtel et des Palmes is an icon of Palermo life. Its rooms and public spaces have witnessed the events that have shaped twentieth century Sicily: everything from the suicide of a poet to political intrigues and a clandestine mafia meeting.

This hotel has a long and venerable history. It started out as a private residence for the Ingham-Whitakers, the Anglo-Sicilian family of marsala wine ...