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Review 1293: Owner, Piazza Don Bosco 14 (#37649)

www.vrbo.com

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Review by hammerj from US

2bed/2bath apartment in Palermo, Sicily

When

Jan 5 - 13, 2005, 8 nights

Location

Location is the problem. If you are in Palermo to go to the beach at Mondello, this is perfect; it is at the edge of the city closest to the beach and the local bus stops outside the door, literally. If you are in Palermo to see the sights in the centro, then it is poorly located, a 20 minute bus ride (almost 2 kilometers) to the center. The location itself is OK, a residential but busy piazza in the new part of the city.

Nearby Amenities

Several bars, a small supermarket, greengrocers, panicifera within 1 block. We found that in order to find a good restaurant, a bus trip to downtown was required.

The House/Apartment

I'm guessing the building is 1950's, with a lift, well maintained, secure. The apartment comes equipped with clothes-washer and dishwasher. Has two small terraces (standing room only) overlooking the piazza.

Garden

None.

Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

The apartment is nice; it could use some new furniture (broken dining room chairs), a bit more kitchen stuff (bowls, cooking spoons, strainer), but no serious deficiencies; depends on how much you want to cook in/eat out.

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

Two bedrooms/two bathrooms. Beds/mattrasses were lumpy, although after a bottle of wine we had no trouble sleeping! Bathrooms are nice, one is quite large with marble, very grand. Shower drain in one was clogged.

Kitchen

Nice size eat-in kitchen (bigger than some I have used in NYC!). Could use a few suppies. Full-size 4 burner stove, freezer/refrigerator, lots of dishes.

Problems or Bonuses

Could use a bit more attention to maintenance; there was a water problem in the building (not the owners fault) that was just being repaired. Bonus: The owner's agent, Danilo; what a nice guy; very helpful reliable, friendly, speaks good English. He arranged a cell phone rental and our airport transportation for us.

Agency and Representatives (and price)

Did not deal with an agency; VBRO is a "by owner" listings website. Did communicate with the owners (who live in France), they were responsive and helpful.

Cost Euro 720 for 8 nights; a Euro 300 deposit, all of which was returned without asking.

Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

See "location" above; depends on why you are here, if you want to go to the beach it is great, otherwise the location is problematic.

We did write to the owners (they asked about problems/improvements) - we sent a list of things and they said they would take care of them.

In summary, a nice apartment in what might be an inconveninet location.

Things to do in this area

Not much right in the area except to go to the beach. Plenty to see in Palermo but that requires a bus ride. The bus system in Palermo is very nice! Better than the one in Rome.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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