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Located as it is at the foot of the Appenines, (near several other cities of artistic interest) Bologna enjoys a strategic position in Italy's road and rail network.

The city is an important centre for business and congresses; it has an extremely well-equipped exhibition district and a Palace of Culture which can hold up to a thousand visitors. After it was named European City of Culture, much restoration work took place and new buildings dedicated to the arts were designed and built. As a result, Bologna is able to benefit from an impressive tourist industry linked to business, exhibitons and conferences, i.e. cultural tourism.

Young people from all over Europe come to Bologna in order to attend the oldest university in the world. The city is therefore extremely lively, with an active non-stop night life; you will never feel alone in this city, even on at four o'clock in the morning on a weekday!

If you don't want to risk the possibility of spending a night sleeping in the car, on a makeshift bed or under the stars, make sure you find out about hotel availability well in advance, especially during the exhibition period (which runs virtually throughout the year). Once you know when you are going, check out the Bologna Fiere website for exhibition news.

City Centre

Bologna's hotels reflect its cosmopolitan nature. For those who wish to take in the monuments and the beauty of its historic city centre, there is a large choice of hotels available. The Grand Hotel Baglioni on Piazza Maggiore guarantees a luxurious stay, with all the facilities and amenities associated with a five star hotel. The four star Cappello Rosso is housed in a seventeenth century palace and also provides an excellent service, as does the Golden Royal Carlton Hotel which also has a beautiful garden to stroll in.

Three star hotels such as Hotel Astoria and Hotel Re Enzo offer stylish, modern surroundings.

There are other one or two star hotels such as San Vitale and Atlantic where you can enjoy a pleasant and inexpensive stay.

For those who do not wish to be too far from the historic Piazza Maggiore or the Basilica di San Petronio, hotels such as Hotel Dei Commercianti, which is full of Medieval charm, or the friendly Hotel Orologio (which stands beside the Palazzo Comunale) are highly recommended.

Exhibition District

If you are involved in any of the numerous events or exhibitions which take place throughout the year, you should choose a nearby three star hotel such as Il Guercino or City Hotel. If you are looking for something less traditional, try the Executive Residence in which all the rooms have a cooking hob which is ideal for those who wish to have a little independence or who are planning a more long-term visit. Alternatively, try Motel Marco Polo which is perfect for visitors with cars, as - being an authentic motel - it offers services for both drivers and their cars.

Remaining in the exhibition district, if you are looking for simplicity and economy, try either Ideale or Arcoveggio both of which offer basic services at affordable prices.

Near the Train Station

For those arriving in Bologna by train, there are several hotels located near the station, such as Milano Excelsior and Alexander which incidentally are soon to merge into one large, modern hotel, or Sofitel Hotel which is situated in front of the station.

Several yards away, on Piazza XX Settembre, you will find Jolly - a four star hotel which is often used as a conference centre. It is also equipped to accommodate your four-legged friends, particularly dogs of all shapes and sizes!

Near the Airport

Close to the airport are two major, modern hotels - Sheraton and Boscolo Hotel Tower.

Driving in the City

When deciding where to stay in Bologna, it is important to bear in mind that the historic city centre is closed to traffic between 7am and 8pm every day, including public holidays. However, hotel guests will receive a special pass given to them by the hotel. This pass entitles the holder to bring a private vehicle into the historic city cente between 8am and midnight (including at weekends and on public holidays), and into the Corono Semicentrale area between 8am and 6pm as well as free bus rides for twenty four hours (from the moment the ticket is first stamped). N.B in order to remain exempt from fines, it is important to register your number plate with the Municipal Police in advance.

If you are intending to drive around the rest of the city, be warned that sign posts and information boards often provide insufficient information and can be set out in an illogical order. For this reason, it is best to plan your route before you set off and not to be afraid of asking passers by (who in this city are generally very friendly and helpful) for assistance.

The Best Time to Visit

A final piece of advice: spring is far and away the best time of year to visit the city. Not only will you be able to enjoy the colours and fragrances of the flowering and regenerating fauna, you will also be able to cycle aound, take excellent photos, go shopping in the fine weather and generally enjoy the beautiful gardens and parks which the city has to offer.







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Arcoveggio


Hotel near the hippodrome
Via Lionello Spada 27
Bologna 40129
Italy
+39 51 35 5436
The Arcoveggio Hotel is located near the hippodrome, in a quiet area. It is well connected with the station and the city center. The prices are very reasonable. All the rooms are en-suite, and have a television and telephone.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Astoria


Hotel in historical building
Via Fratelli Rosselli 14
Bologna 40121
Italy
+39 51 52 1410
http://www.astoria.bo.it
The Astoria Hotel is just a few minutes away from the station and the city's most interesting sites. It is located inside a historical building, and is spread over three floors. It has an annexe which faces onto the garden. All the rooms have minibars, and pay TV. There is a fax service, a photocopying service, and an internal garage.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Boscolo Hotel Tower


Eighteen floors high
Viale Ilic Uljanov Lenin 43
Bologna, Emilia - Romagna 40138
Italy
+39 51 600 5555
The imposing Boscolo hotel, immersed in green and in a very favorable location which is only 15 minutes from the center of Bologna; is 10 minutes from the Palazzo dei Congressi and only a few kilometers from the airport. The building boasts 18 elegantly furnished and well looked after floors. The beautiful La Caveja restaurant within the hotel is worth mentioning, it offers traditional Bolognese cuisine and features a bar with a congenial atmosphere. There are also PlayStations available for use if you are looking to catch up on your gaming.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Cappello Rosso


Hotel with a place in history
Via de' Fusari 9
Bologna, Emilia - Romagna 40123
Italy
+39 51 26 1891
The Rosso Cappello Hotel is right in the heart of the city centre. It boasts a long history which few other four star hotels can match. It already existed more than six hundred years ago in 1375. In that year it was requisitioned by Cardinal Albornoz to provide accommodation for the workers and architects involved with the construction of the Basilica for San Petronio.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Dei Commercianti


A view of St. Petronio's basilica
Via De Pignattari 11
Bologna 40124
Italy
+39 51 23 3052
Located in the historic center, next to the Basilica of San Petrionio, this hotel was the seat of the city council in the 12th Century. During recent renovations the original wooden structure had been restored to its former splendor, giving the building a captivating medieval air. Generous,buffet for breakfast with a wide choice of items. Laundry and message service.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Executive Residence


Self-catering rooms
Via Ferrarase 161
Bologna 40128
Italy
+39 51 37 2960
http://www.hotel-executive.net
This hotel is located near Bologna's exhibition center, and is surrounded by greenery. It is a modern structure spread over eight floors. It offers a residence service rather than a hotel service, meaning that all the rooms have a small cooking area. Cots are available for babies. It is possible to stay here for long periods. The rooms are large and welcoming. There are two garages and a video rental shop. Large animals are also permitted.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Golden Tulip Royal Carlton


Between Piazza dei Martiri and the station
Via Montebello 8
Bologna, Emilia - Romagna 40121
Italy
+39 51 24 9361
Five minutes from the station at the heart of Bologna, the Royal Carlton is a top class hotel. Surrounded by beautiful gardens it offers peace and tranquility even in the middle of the city.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Ideale


Only cash payments
Via Elisabetta Sirani 5
Bologna 40129
Italy
+39 51 35 8270
Behind the station, a pleasant and economical bed and breakfast, with nine rooms (each with a television) but shared bathroom (there are two). There is a pleasant terrace available for use in the summer and small pets are permitted. Only cash payments are accepted.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Il Guercino


Just behind the station
Via Luigi Serra 7
Bologna 40129
Italy
+39 51 36 9893
Il Gercino Hotel, recently renovated, has colonial decor and offers its clientèle an attentive and caring service. The rooms, all fitted with TV and telephone, have en-suite facilities. There is also a lovely solarium with gazebo, a 24-hour bar, parking and dry cleaning service.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Il Guercino photo by S. Kudamatsu
Photo: S. Kudamatsu
 

 
Jolly Hotel De La Gare


Not far from the station
Piazza Venti Settembre 2
Bologna, Emilia - Romagna 40121
Italy
+39 51 24 8921
Not far from the station and the gardens of Montagnola, Bologna's Jolly Hotel, is a modern and elegant four-story hotel that has recently been refurbished, offering all home comforts and first-class service. There are plenty of great features at this hotel, like a TV room, meeting room, bar and restaurant that offers classic Bolognese dishes, including meals for vegetarians, diabetics and those on a diet.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Jolly Hotel De La Gare photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Milano Excelsior


Four star hotel in front of the station
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51
Bologna, Emilia - Romagna 40121
Italy
+39 51 24 6178
The "Hotel Milano" is a four-star hotel in a modern building near the railway station, and ten minutes by foot from Piazza Maggiore. The furnishings are classic, but the hotel also includes all the most modern facilities.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Orologio


Elegant, simple style
Via 4 Novembre 10
Bologna 40123
Italy
+39 51 23 1253
Next door to the municipal palace which encompasses the clock tower from which the Hotel Orologio takes its name, this facility faces the Piazza Maggiore, a plaza that dates back to the Middle Ages. The hotel itself is characterized by warm hospitality and an elegant, simple style accentuated by the antiquity of its location. Centrally located in the city of Bologna, Orologio's guest rooms offer an exclusive view of the aforementioned Piazza Maggiore and of the nearby Basilica di San Petronio. Each room has bathroom, television, telephone, fridge bar, air conditioning. Breakfast is rich and inviting.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
S. Vitale


Simple but decorative
Via San Vitale 94
Bologna 40125
Italy
+39 51 22 5966
This hotel, located in one of Bologna's most characteristic streets, not far from the two towers, offers a simple but decorative atmosphere. There is no restaurant, garage or conference rooms. Payment by Bancomat also accepted.

Review © 2007, Wcities
S. Vitale photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Sheraton Hotel


Very modern and luxurious
Via dell'Aeroporto 34/36
Bologna, Emilia - Romagna 40132
Italy
+39 5140 0056
http://www.sheraton.com/bologna
The Sheraton Hotel is situated just a few minutes away from the airport and is surrounded by greenery. The hotel is very modern and offers many different comforts. It is spread over five floors. The furnishings are modern and very elegant. To reach the hotel take the Bologna Casalecchio motorway exit, or the fourth exit on the by-pass. The hotel is also a very modern and well-equipped conference center.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Sheraton Hotel photo by Alberto Grazi
Photo: Alberto Grazi
 

 
Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Bologna - Where to Stay"
Bologna
Bologna - Historical Background
Bologna - Neighborhood Guide
Bologna - Dining & Drinking
Bologna - Art & Entertainment

Other nearby cities:
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Trieste (231 miles)
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Rome (304 miles)
Nice (339 miles)
Cannes (359 miles)

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