Il Convento dei Fiori di Seta

We had a smooth check-in, though we arrived before the room was ready. There was a comfortable place to sit out of the heat, and we could leave our bags while heading out for coffee or food nearby. A small supermarket on the same street was handy for cold drinks and other bits. They weren’t serving the breakfast buffet, but offered breakfast in the room instead, which was a lovely touch. There were several choices, and we picked Italian and English breakfasts. The room’s interior was lovely, with a very high ceiling, a window with adjustable blinds and curtains, and AC. Highly recommend!

It felt more like a family-run B&B than a full-service hotel, but it was a cute place with a lovely, spacious room and smart use of furniture. I liked having plugs and side tables by the bed, plus the heated towel rail and nice sink. The bathroom was roomy but had no bathtub, and the bedroom was a bit dark. There’s a small, old-fashioned lift that was a real help with my bags, since the “first floor” is one level up. The center is about a 15-minute walk away, to Piazza Maggiore. Breakfast is served each morning, though we were too full to try it. The doors are locked, so be sure to book a check-in time in advance. Some receptionists weren’t fluent in English, but we could generally communicate. Schools nearby made the area noisy around 7:30 on weekdays, which bothered me but not my husband. I was surprised there was no laundry service, gym, or pool.

The room was fine and the staff were polite, but the hallway and stairs had a strange atmosphere I couldn’t quite explain. Breakfast was included, though I would’ve liked more choice. For the price, the location also felt a little far out: it takes about 15-20 minutes to reach Bologna’s main street and 40 minutes to get to the train station.

The location was great, and the rooms are very spacious, but ours hadn’t been kept up well. We’d booked a suite and arrived to find it short on towels, toilet paper, and soap. Breakfast was the low point, below even my modest expectations. For the quality and service, it felt far too expensive, and based on our stay I wouldn’t return or recommend it at that price. Their response to my and my partner’s more detailed feedback also gave me little sense that the business wants to improve future guest experiences.