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Hotel Bologna
- Thread starter bugslewis
- Start date
Ian Sutton
1000+ Posts
Whilst they've been something of a mixed bag, I do think apartments are the way to go in Bologna, especially given the quality of both fresh and prepared foods. You can eat extremely well with no great effort - though perhaps my love of specialist Italian food shops clouds my judgement.
Added to this, Bologna hotel prices are strongly driven by event / conference demand, and always seemed on the high side even in quieter weeks. Location? I rather liked the Strada Maggiore / via Santo Stefano side of the city - not overly fancy or with any great edge to it. We also found the Southern side near via Solferino pretty decent as well (though the apartment down there was a bit of a cave). The only central area that felt a bit iffy was the usual suspect of 'near the train station'.
The one apartment I reckon we'd go back to doesn't seem to show on Google maps, it was near the ring road end of via Santo Stefano on the right hand side as heading out. A nice main bedroom, with IIRC a smaller spartan 2nd bedroom but with en-suite shower. The lounge / dining room was lovely and spacious. We did hear a heated argument between neighbours, but apart from that it was pretty quiet / peaceful for a setting where houses back onto other houses.
Added to this, Bologna hotel prices are strongly driven by event / conference demand, and always seemed on the high side even in quieter weeks. Location? I rather liked the Strada Maggiore / via Santo Stefano side of the city - not overly fancy or with any great edge to it. We also found the Southern side near via Solferino pretty decent as well (though the apartment down there was a bit of a cave). The only central area that felt a bit iffy was the usual suspect of 'near the train station'.
The one apartment I reckon we'd go back to doesn't seem to show on Google maps, it was near the ring road end of via Santo Stefano on the right hand side as heading out. A nice main bedroom, with IIRC a smaller spartan 2nd bedroom but with en-suite shower. The lounge / dining room was lovely and spacious. We did hear a heated argument between neighbours, but apart from that it was pretty quiet / peaceful for a setting where houses back onto other houses.
Sandrac
100+ Posts
I'd be concerned that it doesn't have air conditioning - Bologna gets really hot and humid, even in September. For a one-star hotel, it looks pricey as well. If you're staying for several nights (or 2 weeks), I would agree with Ian about finding a vacation rental apartment.
braindoc
100+ Posts
The local governments in Italy dictate the a/c and heating calendar. Many older hotels have HVAC systems that either cool or heat. (The 50-year-old medical office building in Providence where I have a suite operates the same way.)
IIRC, in Bologna the switch from a/c to heat takes place on October 15. We were there after the 15th a few years ago and it was very warm - and not just by American standards. The hotel said they switched from a/c to heat and could do nothing for us because that was the law. In 2022, due to unusually warm weather in October, the Bologna gov’t delayed the switch to heat until November 7.
If there are “hot sleepers” in your party this is not trivial. Hotel listings may say a/c available. They don’t write “when we are allowed to use it.” If this is a concern, you might want to look for lodging that says something along the lines of “in room” or “individually controlled“ a/c.
I hope no one here is offended by dealing with such a first world problem.
Enjoy your trips bugslewis and LizMurph! We will be back in Bologna in late October.
IIRC, in Bologna the switch from a/c to heat takes place on October 15. We were there after the 15th a few years ago and it was very warm - and not just by American standards. The hotel said they switched from a/c to heat and could do nothing for us because that was the law. In 2022, due to unusually warm weather in October, the Bologna gov’t delayed the switch to heat until November 7.
If there are “hot sleepers” in your party this is not trivial. Hotel listings may say a/c available. They don’t write “when we are allowed to use it.” If this is a concern, you might want to look for lodging that says something along the lines of “in room” or “individually controlled“ a/c.
I hope no one here is offended by dealing with such a first world problem.
Enjoy your trips bugslewis and LizMurph! We will be back in Bologna in late October.
Alpinista
100+ Posts
The thing that often compounded the a/c issue was that opening the screenless windows to cool the room often resulted in spending the night with mosquitoes buzzing around your head.
Lisa in Ottawa
500+ Posts
I stayed at Zan hotel on the main street. I forget the name of the street. Anyway the hotel was set back from the street and quiet. I was only there for 2 nights and had the smallest room. Nevertheless, i really liked the hotel. They served good breakfasts and great coffee.
Bologna was extremely busy in Oct and it was a challenge finding last minute accomodation. Zan was completely booked. I had never heard of this small chain. I think they are newish. They have several hotels in Bologna. I would stay again if I needed short term lodging. Otherwise an apartment definitely the way to go.
Bologna was extremely busy in Oct and it was a challenge finding last minute accomodation. Zan was completely booked. I had never heard of this small chain. I think they are newish. They have several hotels in Bologna. I would stay again if I needed short term lodging. Otherwise an apartment definitely the way to go.