Hotel Principe Di Villafranca (The Charming Hotels of the World) (Palermo, Italy)

The aristocratic name is a reference to the former owner of the lovely Firriato gardens, on the site of which the hotel now stands. Strategically located in the city centre and just steps from the Teatro Massimo, the low-rise building is contemporary in design. Once you step inside, however, you will find yourself transported back into a more leisurely age. The hotel exudes the taste and warmth of a private home. The island's culture and traditions are lovingly preserved by the use of local materials, furnishings, embroideries and antiques. Attention to detail is shown in the fine linen sheets, in the elegant library corner and in the soft screens concealing the wardrobes in the guest rooms decorated with traditional Sicilian motifs. Marble floors, vaulted ceilings and Oriental carpets add an air of understated elegance. There is a garage, fitness centre and exclusive conference rooms for business meetings of all sizes. The Il Firriato restaurant masterfully reinterprets recipes from the Sicilian culinary tradition.