Embarking on our trip to Bologna, we had a clear vision in mind: a remarkable stay within the city…read morewalls, steeped in history, and offering great value without compromising on quality. We sought an experience that would immerse us in the essence of the destination while providing easy access to the local attractions and food that make Bologna so captivating. Our choice of accommodation was a delightful junior suite, nestled in room 119, complete with its own charming balcony. As we had seen in the YouTube videos, each room was unique in its design and character, adding an element of surprise and intrigue. The bathroom was perfectly sized, providing a comfortable and convenient space for our needs. While I personally found the bed slightly firmer than my preference, it still offered a good night's sleep. My wife, although noting that it might be a tad too firm for her liking, considered it a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things. The balcony was a true highlight, adorned with a reclining chair, a pair of cozy chairs, and a lovely table. We were delighted to discover a retractable awning, which, although we figured out how to use it on our last day, served as a wonderful shield against both rain and the playful local birdlife. The thoughtful addition of the awning enhanced our enjoyment of the balcony, providing a comfortable space to relax and soak in the surroundings.Other features, Plenty storage, TV, with various channels, to include some English, and very high ceilings. From the moment we stepped into the hotel, we were instantly captivated by its stunning location nestled within a picturesque setting. It surpassed all our expectations, even those set by the enticing YouTube videos we had watched beforehand. The friendly staff members and available pamphlets, greeted us in the lobby and eagerly provided a wealth of information on nearby destinations and must-visit tourist sites. As we ventured through the hotel, we found ourselves immersed in a treasure trove of art, discovering intricate pieces adorning every corner and floor of the hotel. We marveled at the meticulously preserved portions of the property, especially the wooden beams, protected throughout. Each floor and room with its own historical significance, and took our time absorbing the stories they whispered by hopeful name, plates, and historical plaques, describing each item, an article. Our exploration of the hotel was nothing short of enchanting, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the thought and care that went into its design and preservation. The hotels efforts and preserving it's history is remarkable. The hotel's breakfast buffet was truly exceptional! The diverse array of fresh meats, teas, cheeses, and other Italian culinary delights must have made it a memorable dining experience. It's fantastic that the hotel's thoughtful design and attention to detail is impressive. Our enthusiasm and anticipation for our next visit is a testament to the hotel's quality and service. I look forward to a future stay.

This place was great. The breakfast especially was amazing!!read more

Lovely hotel perfectly situated if you are arriving or departing Bologna by train! The Bologna…read moreCentral train station is located directly across the street, and the Plaza Maggiore/Old City is only a 20 minute walk away. After a long travel day, the room was very comfortable and the staff was helpful. The room and bathroom were spacious and clean. Amenities included comfortable linens, small toiletries, and plush robes. The only downside we noticed in the room was a lack of USB outlets. This made plugging in our devices a bit tricker, so make sure you don't forget your adapters if traveling from the UK or US. The breakfast can be added to your room for €15 per person, which we found worth it for the variety of items provided! Breakfast includes a selection of breads and pastries, yogurt, potatoes, eggs, sausage, and charcuterie.

The best part of this hotel is that it is located literally across the street from the very busy…read moretrain station. Upon arriving in Bologna, we exited the train station (miraculously at the correct door) and could see our hotel as soon as we arrived, (Ironically, it took us about 15 minutes to find our way out of the train station, since we were at least five floors, two elevators, and one escalator from the ground floor!). We were happy that we could check into our room early, and the front desk people were efficient. I know that my rating is mid-range, but that's because we found this hotel to be rather sterile and lacking personality. Coming from our hotel in Florence (see separate review of the Palazzo Castri), this was a very different experience. The staff was efficient, but they lacked any personal sincerity. I felt the same way about the hotel itself. It seemed sterile in the same way you would find a higher end hotel in the US. The lobby, as well as the room, had all the right elements, but also was lacking in personality. All of this might have earned this hotel a higher rating except that it was quite expensive and didn't really seem to offer anything unique. My experience at their restaurant (Avorio) was also lackluster (see separate review). I suspect that Bologna has other places to stay that offer more personality at a considerably lower cost.

This was a perfect spot for out quick night in Bologna. Close to restaurants, shops & sights. Plus…read morethey have parking which was extremely helpful. Big, clean rooms. Friendly staff. Reasonably priced. Adequate breakfast. Would stay here again upon return.

From the moment we walked in we were welcomed warmly. The staff were extremely helpful and made…read morewonderful recommendations. The bar was beautiful and the service was great. It was a short one night stay but will absolutely return.

If you are a horror movie fan and you love the Shining then book this place. It was scary and the…read morestaff was creepy. Terrible

Quiet location in this neighborhood. Elevator to the third floor which a greatly appreciated at a…read morecertain age. Breakfast from 7-11am in the garden. Nice selection of hot and cold options including scrambled eggs and bacon as well as breads, cereals, and hot scrambled eggs. The owner, Roberto, has a vision for this property which has been realized. Look forward to staying here again on our next trip to Bologna.

Run Run Run away from this nightmare hotel. Smelled like fabreeze from the beginning. Rooms are…read more confusing and poorly appointed. Very misleading reviews. This place is more like a hostel but we felt more like hostages. This is not well represented in the advertising. Way way overpriced for a very substandard accommodation. Skip the included breakfast .

A Wow hotel. I love the rooms and in room amenities. There is a Bidet in All bathrooms. The…read morehotel smelled lovely. I didn't love their Michelin mention restaurant but the breakfast was on the top of my list. Beautiful hotel. Added note: we got the breakfast box to go instead of breakfast as we left early and it is not great. Juice, water, donut and really nothing at all. I should have done room Service.

The location of this baroque-era hotel is unmatched as it is right in the center of Bologna with…read moreeasy access to all of the major destinations. The rooms are beautifully decorated with rich, gilded furnishings and the hotel itself is resplendent with artwork and decor. The staff here are also great and go above to try to make your stay a great one. The bar and restaurant Cafe Marinetti is a fantastic laid back option for a meal as the seating is spacious and the fare quite solid. Be sure to try the tortellini en brodo, tagietelle with bolognese ragu, veal bolognese, and beef cheek. The beef cheek is perfectly tender, flavorful, and succulent in a rich jus that still feels light. The veal chop is juicy and coated in a crispy breading topped with a thin slice of prosciutto and cheese. The pastas are v wet h solid executions of classics. It's a fanatic option if you are doing a quick trip to Bologna as it puts you in the middle of it all.

Centrally located, clean/modern rooms, and friendly service…read more I mean, what else could you ask for? The place is pretty much right in the middle of the centro, which puts it in walking distance of pretty much everything there. The rooms are reasonably large, clean, and modern, with everything pretty much working the way you'd expect it to. And the service is excellent - especially around the (excellent!) breakfast spread in the mornings. Mind you, that's for if that want breakfast - if all you want is an espresso, you can get that too :-) The bottom line - I have no complaints, and will probably stay there again...

I am not sure why this hotel doesn't have a 5-star rating. It is in a perfect location, right down…read morethe street from the center of Bologna. The staff was professional, helpful, and friendly. It is clean and modern decor. Our room was big and had great lighting and air-conditioning, which was important as there was a heatwave happening in Italy. I would stay there again when in Bologna!

My husband and I had a room booked in this "4 star" hotel for over $500/night, and while I was…read morealready in Italy (Venice), my husband was not yet, and tested positive for Covid 3 days before arrival. We were to stay at the Hotel San Donato. We booked through American Express Travel and asked for their assistance in canceling the reservation as my husband would definitely not be traveling and I would be going home. American Express tried for 3 days to cancel the reservation for us with a refund and they absolutely refused. Amex Travel has a team to go in and get these things done for you and they usually have success. This hotel, in a time where we all need flexibility, and where literally EVERYONE ELSE if offering it, kept our over $2k and wouldn't even offer a voucher/future stay (which we wouldn't do now), a partial refund, NOTHING. They are greedy and disgusting. I do not recommend this business at all. From all of the other reviews, it sounds like the only thing going for them is location. I wouldn't trust them whatsoever. I will be posting in every possible blog about this awful hotel.

Never had the opportunity to stay because on arrival I was informed they would not honor my…read morereservation. I made the reservation two months in advance through the hotel website and received a confirmation email, complete with a confirmation number. Made no difference - the hotel had obviously given my room away or overbooked. They made arrangements for me to stay in the lesser 3 star sister Hotel and as a "present" offered to pay my garage fee. They thought I should jump for joy at this 90 euro offer. I offered them a 100 euros for my room. No room available. Do not use the Hotel website to book a room. Use a third party like TripAdvisor, Expedia or someone who can confirm and fight for you. The hotel will not honor its commitment with any ordinary individual. I will and would recommend everyone avoid this chain all together - seems they have grown bigger than they can handle and then feel vindicated by offering you their alternative and a small "present."