Zanhotel Europa

The hotel is old, though it is maintained. My room got uncomfortably hot in winter, and I couldn't sleep well. Since the AC doesn't work in winter, opening the noisy window was the only way to cool it down. The front desk person was rude when I first asked for help, and only sent someone to check after I insisted. We eventually managed to switch off the room heater, which helped a little, but the bathroom heater stayed on. The beds are very hard and the furniture could use updating. Breakfast was okay. At night, the neighborhood didn't feel suited to solo female travelers.

The breakfast tasted good, though there isn't much variety. If you're staying a week, I'd have it at the hotel for just a day or two and try one of the many nearby places on the other mornings. There are lots of good cafes and places to eat right around the corner, and a Pam grocery store nearby. The hotel is next to the train station, with the historic sights and downtown within walking distance. Our room was clean, comfortable, and quiet, the staff were very helpful, and the air conditioning worked well. That's a real plus in Italy, where I've found it often doesn't work well, especially in summer.

Good spot if you don't mind walking to the city center. The hotel feels old-fashioned, and a four-star place had very few supplies in the room.

I've stayed here twice for courses, once in June 2025 and again in February 2025. It's a welcoming hotel with grand decor, and the staff have always been friendly and helpful. It's busy with conferences throughout the year, but never felt overwhelming. Bologna's center is a 15-20 minute walk away. The walls are quite thin, though, so noise from other rooms can be distracting. Bring earplugs.