Grand Hotel Italia

The staff were very helpful and called restaurants to make reservations for us, which is a good idea since they can fill up easily. Breakfast was great, with lots to choose from: eggs, cold cuts, breads, sweet rolls, yogurt, fruit and cereal. There’s also a small bar in the lobby. The hotel is in a great location, and the room was very spacious, with an entryway and separate doors to the bedroom and bathroom. The entry had coat hooks and space for one suitcase, with shoe storage underneath. In the bedroom there was a chair and loveseat, a wardrobe with a safe, and a desk area. USB ports were beside both sides of the bed. The bed was very firm. In our room, the shower was raised about a foot off the floor, with little to hold onto while getting in and out, and the tile floor was slippery when wet. The hairdryer’s air tube had cracks, so it was very weak.

I liked the very Italian feel of the foyer, and the hotel is well placed for exploring Orvieto, even though it’s a little farther into town from the cable car. It’s near the clock bell tower. The cable car wasn’t running when I arrived, so I took the bus up the hill for just under €2, then walked an easy-to-find route of almost 1 km, turning right after the tower. My room was spacious, with a lovely balcony, and there’s a nice terrace for guests too. The bed was comfortable and the staff were friendly. I could have used a light blanket, but that was a small thing. There are 4-5 steps at the entrance to reception and another 5-6 steps before the lift. Breakfast was typical Italian fare, with ham and other meats, cheese, cakes, eggs and coffee. They make the coffee for you, which I liked.

Everything was close by, and the location made getting around easy. I was there with my study abroad group and really liked the hotel’s beauty. Our room was nice, with a tiny, sweet balcony. Breakfast was lovely, and there was a cozy sitting area with a fireplace, plus a more romantic dining room at the front and a study or meeting room. There’s also a bar inside for coffee and drinks.

The staff were friendly and accommodating, and they were happy to keep our bags if the room wasn’t ready yet. It’s so close to everything, and the room’s adorable little balcony and great breakfast made this a perfect place to stay in Orvieto.