Grand Hotel et Des Palmes
Palermo's Iconic Grand Hotel et des Palmes Celebrates 150 Years with Major Refurbishments and Cultural Events Programme
Grand Hotel et des Palmes, one of Sicily's most iconic hotels and part of Icona's Collection, the new luxury brand from Mangia's Hotels & Resorts, will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027 with a year-long programme of cultural events, starting in December 2026, and a new phase of investment in the historic property.
First opened in 1877, Grand Hotel et des Palmes has welcomed generations of artists, writers and musicians, including composer Richard Wagner, and remains one of Palermo's most celebrated landmarks. Alongside the anniversary celebrations, Grand Hotel et des Palmes will commence significant refurbishments inspired by Sicilian Liberty style and the legacy of architect Ernesto Basile.
The project will restore and enhance many of the property's defining features, including the Winter Garden, Hall of Mirrors and Lobby Bar, while introducing bespoke furnishings, restored antiques and contemporary design touches throughout the hotel. The historic Wagner Suite, where the composer stayed while working on Parsifal, will also be carefully refreshed, alongside upgrades to the restaurant, terrace and residential-style apartments.
The celebrations themselves will begin on 19th and 20th December 2026 with Le Stanze Fatate (The Enchanted Rooms), an immersive theatrical performance created exclusively for the hotel by acclaimed Sicilian director and playwright Emma Dante. Staged throughout the hotel's historic interiors, the production will transform its rooms and salons into a living fairy tale, launching a year-long programme of cultural events celebrating Palermo's art, culture and heritage. The celebrations will reinforce the hotel's longstanding role as one of the city's most important cultural meeting places, with further details on upcoming events to be unveiled in due course.
The milestone is just one highlight in a period of significant growth for Mangia's Hotels & Resorts. Following the opening of the five-star all-inclusive resort Mangia's Costa Ragusa Borgo and five-star luxury resort Icona's Costa Ragusa Resort, the Group continues to invest in exceptional properties that combine local character and contemporary luxury.
There will be four performances of Le Stanze Fatate: two on Saturday 19th and two on Sunday 20th December, at 5.00pm and 8.00pm. For information and to book, contact [email protected]