Grand Hotel Elite

For what you pay, the value is great compared with nearby hotels. The hotel is old fashioned, but it’s looked after, and that style gives it charm. I didn’t try breakfast; the choice looked limited, though it was cheap. The AC was the weak point: very noisy, and it wouldn’t cool below 25 degrees. Some of the other reviews seem pretty harsh.

Most of the staff were friendly, apart from the gentleman working during the day, and the rest of the hotel was normal enough. The Grand Hotel Elite still has an aristocratic kind of elegance, like an aunt whose heyday was the 80s, but it feels like it never moved on. The place has plenty of character, some of it less charming. They even tried to charge city tax for children, which felt like creative accounting, and our welcome came from someone who looked like a former gang member or a retired Fight Club extra. The room’s cleanliness was a mystery, especially the toilet, with what looked like old brown stains. After a long day walking, you might want to unplug the fridge unless you like a small aircraft taking off as background noise. The poor sound insulation also means the city starts providing its own soundtrack at 4:30am. Then around 6am, the smell of toasted croissants drifts into the room, presumably through the kitchen ventilation. It’s a very immersive setup. Breakfast carried on the same theme: croissants and bread that seemed a day or two old, crunchy relics with a full life behind them. This hotel is a time capsule with personality, and you’ll have stories to tell afterward.

I paid about 64 euros for bed and breakfast for one night, which seemed like good value. I was there to see Bologna play Juventus, and the location suited me, not too far from Renato Dall’Ara Stadium or Bologna Airport. The staff were helpful and well organised, and breakfast had an impressive range of options. I also liked the old fashioned feel, especially since it’s well maintained. Some Google reviews are too harsh about that, in my opinion. My room had a decent view, which is unusual in hotels. The lift is a bit small, and one couch in the dining room had a slight tear. I’d happily return to Grand Hotel Elite.

The location is the one bright spot, since it’s close to downtown. Inside, though, the hotel feels dark and poorly lit, with outdated decor and conditions that brought the 1980s to mind. Even if the price looks tempting, the quality made the stay feel depressing instead of comfortable, and it didn’t meet basic expectations. The hotel’s actual state doesn’t match the impression its name creates, so don’t be fooled. The owner should consider a full renovation.