Rooms are clean, the standard is good, reception speaks english. Breakfast buffet is big (beside cereals, breads, eggs and meats there are also sicilian specialties, gluten free bread, soy- and lactose-free milk).
The pool area is charming and has a good service. The pool restaurant offers small dishes during the day and more plates at restaurant times. waiters at pool restaurant were not the nicest. Spending the morning at the pool was a great way to start your Palermo day.
There is no beach for swimming around but a nice promenade for walking and watching yachts. For the beach you got to get a taxi, 15mins or two buses, 30mins to get to mondello beach. For a day trip take the train at stazione centrale for Cefalù, a beautiful village with a huge white sanded beach > 50mins by train.
The hotel is just next to Foro Italico, a nice avenue with three or four restaurants and gelaterias. One of them should be the oldest fish restaurant of the city. In the evenings you can eat fresh moules et frites.