Palazzo Pagliaro, a historic palazzo with Sicilian ceramics
Palazzo Pagliaro is a hotel in a restored eighteenth-century palazzo on Via Manzoni in Santo Stefano di Camastra, Sicily. Rooms have a private bathroom, local ceramics decorate the building and parking is free. I would choose it for a base in the town centre, for a couple or a family, even with a pet.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Palazzo Pagliaro.
Where Palazzo Pagliaro is and how to get there
Palazzo Pagliaro is at Via Manzoni 14, in the centre of Santo Stefano di Camastra, on the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily. Its location is one of the things guests praise most: you are right in the town, but on a street described as quiet.
According to the listing, Villa Margi beach is about 800 metres away, and nearby sights include the Bastione Capo Marchiafava and Cefalù Cathedral, about 36 km away. The free car park on site is an advantage, although one guest says they struggled to find a space close to the building when it was full. If you come by car, it is worth arranging things with the owner in advance.
What the building and rooms are like
The palazzo is a restored eighteenth-century building, and it shows. Santo Stefano di Camastra is the town of ceramics, and here local majolica is everywhere, from the floors to the furnishings. For me that is the main reason to choose this place over an anonymous hotel room.
The rooms are non-smoking, each with a private bathroom, and some have a balcony with a view over the town. Guests describe them as spacious, clean, new and well furnished, with very comfortable bathrooms.
- Facilities. Free wifi throughout, a lift, a drinks machine and a shared lounge.
- Outdoor space. A panoramic terrace for when you want to be outside for a while.
- Pets. The property welcomes pets.
- Getting around. Bike hire and, on request, an airport shuttle and transfers.
How breakfast works
There is no breakfast room inside the building at Palazzo Pagliaro. One guest says breakfast is taken in a partner bar a few steps away, and another says it was not included in their rate. Check carefully what your booking includes.
On the landing, guests mention a pod coffee machine for everyone to use. It is a small gesture, but handy if you like coffee as soon as you wake. For dinner, one guest says there are places to eat nearby, a useful detail if you travel with family.
What guests say
The Google rating is 4.5 out of 5, from around fifty reviews. The common thread is the owner's welcome: many guests describe her as kind, helpful and attentive, including for a late arrival. People also talk about cleanliness, comfortable rooms, a restoration done with taste and a very central position.
The criticisms are few but worth knowing. Some mention the car park when the spaces nearby are taken, some the tight space and architectural barriers in one room, and some breakfast not being included. Those who wrote harsher reviews still acknowledge the beauty of the building and its position.
| What guests like | What to know |
|---|---|
| Historic palazzo with local ceramics | Breakfast not always included, taken in a partner bar |
| Kind and helpful owner | Nearby parking sometimes full |
| Clean, spacious and well kept rooms | Tight spaces and access barriers in one room |
| Central yet quiet position | No breakfast room inside the building |
What to know before booking
Palazzo Pagliaro is an excellent choice, but not for everyone. Here are a few points to check.
- Breakfast. Check whether it is included and where it is served, as it is not in the building.
- Parking. There is a free car park, but if it is full you will need to look nearby. Let them know when you are arriving.
- Access. Even with the lift, one guest found the room narrow and not very accessible. If you have difficulty walking, ask first.
- Arrival time. If you are arriving late, contact the owner, who according to guests has been flexible.
Who it suits and what to do nearby
I would choose it for a couple who love places with character, for a family who want to stay in the centre, and for anyone travelling with a pet. If you want resort-style services or breakfast on site, it is not your place. If you want to sleep in a historic palazzo, among ceramics and an authentic atmosphere, it is a very convincing choice.
From Santo Stefano di Camastra you can head to the coast and to Cefalù. If you are planning a trip around Sicily, there are other options on the blog, such as the Eolian Port B&B in Milazzo, the B&B Fossanoce in Belpasso or the B&B Mannala' in Agrigento.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
