Cavalieri's Grand

The apartment was clean and the appliances worked, which earned the two stars. Everything else about our one night stay was a struggle. My husband booked it for our last night in Bologna because we were arriving by train and flying back to the US the next morning. The listing called it a 10 minute walk from Bologna Centrale, but it took us well over an hour, perhaps closer to two, to reach it in the rain after a long day of travel, dragging heavy bags through construction areas. GPS got us within three minutes, but there was no obvious sign. After going around in circles, I asked at a restaurant. The locals hadn’t heard of Grand Hotel Cavaliery either, though they were just as puzzled that Google Maps showed it nearby. One staff member kindly searched with us while my soaked husband watched the luggage. He found it in an apartment building, with no clear identification beyond a name on the tenant buttons beside an ordinary door. Nicola, thank you so much. He called the property manager several times from his own phone because the numbers on Booking.com and the apartment door didn’t match. Eventually a man answered, said he’d send directions on WhatsApp, and told me the “hotel” was on the second floor. We were exhausted by then. The tiny elevator could barely take one person, let alone both of us with our rolling bags and carry-on, and my husband was so angry he wanted to find another hotel. I took the stairs, but the hallway was completely dark and I couldn’t find the “white door” the manager had mentioned. I called him again, and he stayed on the phone to guide me all the way to the apartment. By the time we got to bed, our last night in Italy was ruined and everything was closed. This is an apartment rental advertised as a “hotel” and a “grand hotel,” but it felt more like a hostel, or three adjoining bedrooms sharing one shower. The following morning, construction meant taxis couldn’t collect us at the apartment, so we had to walk to a spot where a car could reach us. Be wary of this “Grand NoHotel” unless you’re traveling light, and keep your expectations in check. Cento percento. Punto.