Bologna

[sproutsandparsnips]

Does anyone have any recommendations for where to stay in Bologna? Preferably fairly central. Budget up to £250/night.

@sproutsandparsnips
Budget might be a problem, depending on dates, weekends etc.
Just got back from there, & stayed at Hotel Porta San Mamolo.
Nothing wrong with the hotel; very clean, recent re-furb, but not quite right for us.

Take a look - full run-down if you're interested.

http://www.anticacasazucchini.it/engl/

We stayed here two years ago. It is a luxurious b&b rather than a hotel, very central and with a very helpful and friendly host. Its history is really interesting too.

Thank you both for taking the time to reply. @georgyporky the hotel looks nice but dates we want are not available.
@Topazpearlagain I think we would want more of a hotel rather than B&B though it looks lovely.
Did you both enjoy your trip to Bologna? I'm nervous about booking a trip just like that, I'm normally a very safe person but really fancy going and it's my 50th!

We stayed here al-cappello-rosso-hotel-bologna.at-hotels.com/en/ just off the main square. A bit eclectic but clean and quirky decor.

@LIZS thank you. It's very pricey! Do you think it's worth it?

Not sure , we went pre pandemic and I wonder if it has changed management. I don't remember it as pricey but rates might have increased since, as much of Italy has, Centrally located though.

I've just put in some different dates and it's still expensive but not so much. I think we may have picked a significant date as a few hotels are fully booked for the dates we want.

@LIZS Thats the hotel I booked for DD for a few nights while she sorted out her student accommodation in Bologna! One semester at uni in Bologna. I recognised the hotel. Wasn’t that expensive back then.

We stayed at a B&B - Santo Stefano - when we visited. Well designed with classy Italian designer furniture. Small bathroom I recall but great location. I believe many hotels in Italy are leased. Fairly short term arrangement with the owner. Or so DDs Italian teacher said. Her sister had a hotel but didn’t own it. Paying a bit more to be central or near the university is worth it.

It's one of our favourite cities. Stunning scenery and amazing food. It's a big university city and holds a lot of conferences etc so hotels can be in demand. If you can flex on your dates you might have more options.

There are hotels near the conference centre. They are usually cheaper but not a great location for tourists in my view. The uni is huge - 88,000 students but most live at home other than exchange students.

Thanks all.

I stayed here https://en.art-hotel-commercianti.com/?_gl=1zg7iz2_upMQ.._gaNDI3ODI1OTAwLjE3MTEwOTc1MDM._ga_EMVV185H6Z*MTcxMTA5NzUwMi4xLjAuMTcxMTA5NzUwMi4wLjAuNzMwNzA1MTU0

Amazing location right on the square although the rooms are on the small side.

I stayed here https://www.aemiliahotel.it/?pk_vid=ed04584ef4d002751681157182e82d91 it’s 10-15min walk to the centre. Was lovely.

Truthfully, we much preferred Florence to Bologna, it’s not far on the train.

In Florence we stayed here which was amazing

https://www.25hours-hotels.com/hotels/florenz/piazza-san-paolino

We liked Bologna as a hub for transport to other cities (Ravenna, Padua, Rimini, Ferrara etc) but weren't really fans of the city itself. It's very arty (lots of galleries) and we're not into art.

Food was lovely though!

We stayed in an apartment ten minutes from the train station rather than a hotel though.

I was in Bologna recently and we stayed here. Very central and reasonably priced for our trip. https://www.cavour-hotel.com/en/index.html
Loved the city.

I actually think most Italian cities are about art and architecture as well as food. The great thing about Bologna is that you can explore the other towns by train very easily. Ravenna is unmissable. Ferrari museum is fairly close. 3 days just in Ravenna is not what you do. The uni area is quite close to the station and not far from the centre. Florence is more self contained.

Bologna is much less busy with tourists than Florence and laid back in comparison. The porticoes, towers and choice of dining give it an identity with a great energy from the student population.

@LIZS I agree. Far fewer global citizens there.

Ooh thank you all again. Looking forward to our trip.