B&B Federico Secondo in Palermo

False Advertising, Aggressive Management – Very Poor Experience:

I booked this hotel through eDreams, expecting a twin room with a courtyard view, as clearly stated at the time of booking. What I received was a small standard room with one bed and sealed, non-transparent windows — absolutely no view and not what was advertised.

When I arrived, I was met by the manager’s brother, who had limited English. He understandably struggled to understand the issue and told me to contact the manager directly by phone. When I called, the manager shouted at me over the phone, refusing to listen.

The next day, after returning from shopping with all my bags, I was asked to come into his office. There, I was met with more shouting. He told me, “We don’t do twin rooms here” — even though I have proof (including a screenshot) that twin rooms were listed as an option at the time of booking. When I asked about the missing courtyard view, he claimed I hadn’t booked one — again, I absolutely had.

Instead of offering any help, he simply told me to “go talk to eDreams.”

Overall, this was a deeply unpleasant experience — misleading listing, unacceptable customer service, and aggressive behaviour from the hotel management. I would strongly caution anyone from staying here or booking through eDreams.

If you are planning to stay in this hotel in Palermo, DON'T DO THIS.

Despite rooms themselves are good and the location is amazing, the owner of the hotel and employees are not bothered at all with your needs and any kind of help.

We've been in unusual situation when power has been shut down because of city emergency caused by high temperature on July 24, 2023. We absolutely realized that it was not the hotel's fault, but it was impossible to use our room as there were no power and water, so it was impossible to use the washrooms. When we came back to our hotel at 11 PM after the celebration of my husband's birthday, everything was locked and there was no any hotel representative on duty. We called to the owner, or the person who called himself an owner and asked what to do. He said that we could do whatever we want, he doesn't care and it is not his fault. We asked how we can use washrooms, because there is no water in the rooms, he said that he doesn't care. We called him three times and he came finally, but only to repeat the same. We asked him where is closest hotel where we can stay, he said, that we can go wherever we want. We asked if he would pay back to us if we stay in another hotel for this night, and the answer was he will see if it is not a 5 star hotel. Also, he said that other guests are good people that they just left, but we are very bad hat we are bothering him.

We were lucky that we all 4 adults without kids and that one of us had Wi-Fi in Sicily, otherwise I have no idea how we could find an another hotel.

We spend one night in another hotel where the staff was very nice and welcoming and came back to Federico Secondo next day. Everything was back to normal, power was on and we spent the rest or our vacation in this hotel. It is very notable that the owner even did not ask us where we spent the night, not interested at all. I understand that we are not his relatives, but hospitality is definitely not this person's strong side, which is strange for hotel business. All his behavior will show you that he doesn't give a s.... what problem do you have in his hotel. It would be the best if you just transferred money and not come at all.

It is absolutely not that he spoiled our impression about beautiful Sicilian people. When we were running near the hotel and called to him that night, people who just lived near his hotel, just locals, offered us to stay in their home, just to help us. Staff in the hotel where we spent that night gave us a discount, just because it was late and they saw that we've been very upset.

Just don't give money to the owner who doesn't care about his guests, book your room in any other facility there are a lot of hotels in old city.

Also, couple words about breakfast. It is included in price and the food itself is good. But until the end of our stay it was not clear how to order or pick up the food. Some cakes were on the counter as well as juices and couple pieces of ham and cheese. But they are asking you: do you want a toast, for example. If you say yes, they will bring it to you, and after you finished with your toast, they ask you: do you want mozzarella. Very confusing, how to do this right. If I knew that they had mozzarella, in advance I would not order toast. It was feeling that you are not welcome and you are eating their food for free, which is absolutely not correct.

In conclusion, I would like to say, that we are travelling a lot, and we are not picky at all. We are not milliners, but I just did not ask the owner to pay me back for the night that we spent in another hotel, just could not force myself to speak with this person again.

Great location
Smell of cigarette in the room
Room dirty
Manager tried to cancel the reservation on Booking so I could not post a review
Manager is rude