A large outdoor pool, a covered pool in the spa, or both: hotels are often the best equipped for a warm swim. In Palermo, you swim in warm water on the rooftops of the centre or at the villas along the coast, as far as Cefalù. Here are the 2 hotels I've selected in Palermo, all rated at least 8/10; I particularly recommend Villa Dei Melograni Boutique Hotel and Bastione Spasimo Boutique Hotel.
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
2 places shown
The pool. Indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature. Guests mention the pool in general terms.
Guide's tip. Small, recently opened hotel with few reviews: get confirmation that the indoor pool is heated.
The pool. Outdoor pool, described as heated in the Hotels.com selection; hot tub.
The hot tub. Hot tub.
According to the Hotels.com review summary (around twenty reviews), the pool water is considered warm and clean. A few guests also mention the hot tub.
Guide's tip. One of the few pools in central Palermo: ask whether it's heated outside summer.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
The hot tub. Seasonal outdoor pool, with no heating advertised; spa with hammam and hot tub.
One traveller mentions the hot tub, another the pool and hammam at the spa. None mentions the temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the spa hot tub is included or costs extra.
The hot tub. Outdoor pool open from April to November, with no heating advertised. Two suites have a private indoor hot tub, and the Lotus cabana a private outdoor one.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The hot tub is reserved for three suite categories: specify it when booking.
The hot tub. Outdoor pool (9:00–19:00), with no heating advertised. One suite (Prestige Mulino) has its own hot tub.
Travellers enjoy the pool's setting. None mentions the water temperature.
Guide's tip. For warm water, book the suite with the hot tub.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Villa Dei Melograni Boutique Hotel (Boutique hotel), with 10/10 (22 reviews · Hotels.com). Next come Bastione Spasimo Boutique Hotel (9.8/10).
None of the places selected in Palermo clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Villa Dei Melograni Boutique Hotel has an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
None of the places selected in Palermo gives a precise temperature. Ask the property before booking, especially out of season.
Yes: Bastione Spasimo Boutique Hotel also has a hot tub in addition to the heated pool. No confirmed heated pool, but a hot tub: Villa del Gattopardo Suites & Spa, Hotel Alberi del Paradiso and Le Calette N°5.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel | Outdoor pool open in high season only, no mention of heating. | null | Heating not confirmed |
| NH Palermo | Pool open from 15 May to 30 September, no mention of heating. | null | Heating not confirmed |
| Hotel Santa Lucia Le Sabbie d'Oro | Indoor and outdoor pools in Cefalù. | 7,0/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
| Costa Verde (Cefalù) | Hot tub advertised. | 7,6/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
| Hotel Bellevue del Golfo | Hot tub advertised. | 7,2/10 | Rating below 8/10 (Hotels.com) |
Sources: Airbnb, Rocco Forte Hotels, TripExpert, Hotels.com, Hotels.com.
