15 Best Hotels in Palermo and Western Sicily, Sicily

Tufa quarries are a feature of Favignana's landscape, and this designer hotel to the southeast of town has been built within one that has been abandoned. Surrounded by the sheer walls of the quarry, the clean style and architecture of the building reflect its unique setting. The prevailing tone is fashionably minimalist—even Spartan—but creature comforts and the spirit of luxury have not been sacrificed. Tufa is used in the good-size bedrooms, too, keeping them cool and soothing. You can relax on decks or lawns in the grounds scattered with tall agave, colorful oleander, and pomegranate trees, and enjoy refreshing dips in the impressive, L-shape pool. If you want a break from the top-notch food in the restaurant, take the free shuttle to dine in town. From the hotel, it's a pleasant 15-minute walk to Cala Azzurra beach.

In a pedestrianized piazza in Marsala's old town, this former convent has been turned into a stylish and atmospheric lodging. Public rooms are of a stately size, including the extensive lounge bar area that boasts oriental carpets, brick walls, a large old fireplace, and lofty arches. Guest rooms come in varying sizes but are all clean and well-equipped. There's a pleasant cloister garden, and a wide-ranging spread is available in the frescoed breakfast room. Check-in early to bag one of the limited parking spaces right outside the hotel.

Cleverly converted from three historic buildings—a bank, a palazzo, and a monastery—this hotel with modern, unadorned rooms is ideally located just off the central axis of Via Vittorio Emanuele. It's an elegant complex, featuring vaulted ceilings and an expansive, airy courtyard lobby with a retractable roof awning that's open in warm weather, plus a beautifully designed restaurant. 

This attractive midrange hotel in the center of Favignana town is in an old palazzo but has modern furnishings and fittings. Most of the guest rooms are spacious; some even have balconies, but all are impeccably clean with comfortable beds, including those located in a nearby annex (which may be a better choice for those who prefer more privacy). There's a good restaurant in an internal courtyard garden, where breakfast is also served. Stays in summer must be for a minimum of four or five nights.

Spread along one side of the wide expanse of Largo Petrolo, this smart, two-story hotel has warm colors and a welcoming, intimate atmosphere. The reception area has polished parquet floors, modern art on the walls, and a solidly old-fashioned tone. Pay a little extra for one of the best rooms, which are spacious and have balconies overlooking the square. Buffet breakfasts are varied, and you can choose to sit at one of the tables on the piazza. It's an easy walk to restaurants (the harborfront is a 10-minute walk), and guests can make use of a free hotel buggy to a nearby beach.

On the edge of town, overlooking a small beach at the western end of the harbor, this small and chic hotel stands a little apart from the quayside activity, and is all the better for it. The harborfront bars and restaurants are seconds away, yet peace and quiet reign here. The three rooms with balconies at the front are the best choices as other rooms on the side have balconies and partial sea views but face hilly scenery frontwards. The waterfront terrace is a great spot for breakfast, for whiling away an afternoon, or for an evening aperitivo. In summer, a free shuttle service to a nearby beach is available.

Like the town of Erice itself, the Hotel Elimo is old-fashioned and yet full of charm; eccentric knickknacks and artwork fill the lobby, and the homey guest rooms are all different, many boasting terraces with views of either the cobblestone streets or the valleys below (when they're not shrouded by clouds). The hotel is ideally located on Erice's main street, convenient to shopping and restaurants, though you may very well opt to dine at the hotel's own eatery, which uses fresh local ingredients and offers superb views. The friendly staff can help recommend which local attractions are worth your while.

This boutique hotel might be in the center of Scopello, but once within its secluded grounds, you might believe you're in the open countryside. Facing away from the village, the huge and lushly planted garden is the hotel's best aspect, especially for its pool and stunning vistas over the coast, and Scopello's tonnara can be easily reached on foot from the back gate. The views can also be appreciated from the outdoor terraces of the hotel's bar and restaurant, where tasty local cuisine is served. Breakfasts, too, are memorable, and the service is always friendly. The guest rooms are comfortable and well-equipped, most with a secluded outdoor area, and there's a two- or five-night minimum stay depending on the season.

It's a revelation to find this smart boutique hotel, a former convent, buried within Trapani's rather neglected former Jewish neighborhood close to the port. Once within its doors, though, you'll find everything clean, calm, and orderly, with soothing colors, contemporary furnishings, and bathrooms with spacious walk-in showers. Breakfast, which is an optional extra, is served in the courtyard and includes fresh fruit and croissants with honey. The reception staff is quick to recommend and book a spot for your evening meal, and can arrange to have your vehicle parked in a secure garage and delivered when needed.

This delightful hotel has a creaky old feel to it, but that's part of the charm—the lobby area, scattered with books, magazines, and tchotchkes, calls to mind an elderly relative's living room; but the rooms themselves are simple, light, and comfortable. There's a lovely roof terrace with panoramic views—a great place to start the day with breakfast or relax in the evening with cocktails—and a well-known restaurant serving seafood pasta, couscous, and homemade desserts.

Although detached from the town's hubbub, this hotel is actually in a central location on Trapani's northern waterfront, with wonderful coastal views. The "studio" rooms are sleek and spacious and come with kitchenettes, and there's a garden, gym, and reading room. Best of all, generous breakfasts are served on a terrific roof terrace with panoramic views over town and the coast. It lies at one end of Via Torrearsa, so perfectly sited to participate in Trapani's boisterous evening passeggiata. There is secure parking, albeit 2 km (1 mile) away, linked to the residence by a free shuttle bus, or you can find your own parking space closer.

Just steps away from the beach, this small, family-run lodging has a warm, friendly character, with public areas and guest rooms enlivened by colorful, Middle Eastern--style ceramic tiles. The side-street location means it's not subject to the bustle that can overwhelm the seafront, yet the town center is still close. Rooms are spacious and well-equipped (air-conditioning and fridges are welcome comforts), and breakfasts include homemade jams and pastries from San Vito's best pasticceria. Guests have access to a private beach, but spaces there are limited, so it's worth reserving when you make your booking. The hotel's location in the traffic-restricted part of town means that drivers can only stop for unloading, then park in the nearby facility (valet parking is available). Like most of San Vito's lodgings, there are minimum-night stays.

A 19th-century palazzo opposite a public garden in central Trapani has been converted to a comfortable hotel that provides pampering accommodation in swish surroundings. The imposing arched entrance opens onto a peaceful courtyard where breakfast and other meals are served, while, inside the building, antiques, chandeliers, and decorated ceilings emphasize its historic character. Guest rooms vary in size, and are either modern or antique—or a tasteful blend of both—and there's a small rooftop pool, best for a cooling dip or just soaking up the sun. The location is convenient: in the new town but within an easy walk of the old quarter, close to the train station, and steps away from Via Garibaldi, one of Trapani's main passeggiata routes. There's no hotel parking, but a capacious and inexpensive public car park is adjacent.

Lying 5 km (3 miles) outside the hustle and bustle of San Vito in the Castelluzzo neighborhood, this hotel has gardens planted with olive trees and is surrounded by wonderful scenery. There's no pool, but it's within easy distance of some superb beaches. Guest rooms are large and tastefully furnished, and bikes are available for exploring the environs. There's a four- to five-night minimum stay in summer, and, unusually for this area, the hotel remains open in winter.

Some 2 km (1 mile) from downtown Marsala, this luxurious retreat with extensive semitropical gardens was built as a baglio, or wine estate, and it retains strong echoes of its 19th-century origins. Public areas are positively grandiose: the cool courtyard, tall white walls, and pointed arches evocative of a Moorish palace. The accommodations come in two forms: classic rooms and, scattered around the grounds, very basic igloo-shaped bungalows that are large enough for a family. The large swimming pool is also great for families. Quality meals and pizzas are served in the evenings, and the English-speaking staff are discreet and attentive.