Hotel Internazionale

The room looked nice, with attractive furniture, and the bed itself was quiet. It was dated, but still pleasant to look at. The sleep was another story. I asked for a room at the back because of the construction outside, and they gave us one, but the hallway door let in a lot of noise. I woke several times to guests and staff dragging luggage over the ridges outside our room and shutting doors. We could also hear toilets flushing and chairs scraping across the floor above. Given how high the ceiling is, it seems there might be room for some sound insulation. There was no extra outlet by the bed, and the sheets were loose rather than a duvet cover.

Inside, the hotel was really beautiful, and our room was clean and very nice. The decor is dated, but it was well maintained. The construction made the outside location less appealing. I don't understand the bad reviews, and I'd give the hotel at least four stars, maybe 4.5 if that were an option. Breakfast could be a bit better. The cappuccino from the machine was nice, though the meat choices were pretty limited.

What I liked most was seeing a young person with disabilities working in the breakfast room. Their warm interaction with coworkers was lovely to see. The hotel itself felt worn and tired, and the central heating made the room uncomfortably warm with no way to adjust the temperature there. The street was exceptionally noisy. Staff were friendly, though not especially engaged. I wouldn't book here again.

The scent is what I'll remember most, and not in a good way. A very strong, cheap-smelling perfume is pumped through the lobby and first floor, enough that I could feel it at the back of my throat. The detergent on the linens was also much too strongly scented, and even the soap smelled cheap. I've stayed in hotels over 100 nights a year, and this was by far the strongest-smelling one I've been in. It's a three-star hotel. The room was clean, but the place looked tired, the bathrooms need updating, and the beds are very firm. I'll stay somewhere else next time I'm in Bologna.