Hotel Il Guercino

Breakfast was a bright spot: lots of hot and cold choices, and the coffee machine was good. Check-in went smoothly, too. But our problem with the hot water wasn’t taken seriously. We were basically told there was hot water, even though neither of us managed to get a hot shower during our stay. The room was tiny, with barely enough space for both our suitcases. Its little window looked onto a brick wall and didn’t open properly, and the bed was ridiculously hard. The hotel is only five minutes from the train station, but the neighborhood felt dodgy. Getting into the heart of town, where there were lots of good places to eat, took over 20 minutes on foot. After sightseeing all day, neither of us wanted that walk, so we were stuck with limited nearby food options. Two nice restaurants close to the hotel were fully booked the whole time. I felt especially ripped off because enjoying Bologna’s food was a big reason I wanted to visit. We were tired when we arrived and just lay down, so we didn’t ask to switch rooms or move somewhere else. Looking back, we probably would have if we hadn’t been so exhausted. It’s advertised as a four-star hotel. When I reminded my husband we’d wanted to stay in boutique hotels, he joked that one star would have been enough.

For what was available in Bologna, this ended up being the best deal I could find while prices elsewhere were astronomical, so I can’t really complain in comparison. Still, at 200 Euros a night, the room seemed a little expensive for what you get, especially since it’s rather small. The shower also had low water pressure, which was annoying. It’s about a 25-minute walk to the central part of the city, and the area near the hotel feels a bit dodgy at night. The staff were very polite, though.

Bright, colorful, and full of life, with a comfortable artsy boutique feel. The train and attractions are both within walking distance. It won't disappoint.

We had a small issue during the stay, but it was sorted out and we were happy again. Everyone we met on staff was friendly and willing to help. Breakfast had lots of tasty choices, too. The main station is around 10 minutes away on foot, and the city center about 15. We’d come back when we’re in Bologna.