The Hotel Paradise is nice -- its in the pedestrian zone, so the area is quiet. I've stayed there twice -- one room, for a family, had a kitchenette and fridge (it was a suite in a building across the way), but I don't think the other room did (a double on the top floor with a skylight). Bathrooms are en suite -- showers are small. Its about half-way between the train station and city center.

I've also stayed at the Hotel Porto San Momolo, south of the city center. It is also nice and in a quiet residential section -- the breakfast room is lovely and gardeny -- but possibly too expensive, and you'd want a taxi from the train station.

I also stayed at the Hotel Paradise and it was good: really helpful people working there, good breakfast, very convenient location. The price was reasonable.

Also stayed at Hotel Paradise in one of their apartments across from the hotel. We still had breakfast in the hotel included in apartment rate. Good rates, location and very friendly helpful staff.
www.hotelparadisebologna.com

look through the airbnb listings. we will be staying in one in may and will post on it later... it meets all your requirements but can't vouch for it yet, so won't list by name. gets great reviews, though. check reviews carefully and see how communication is... seems like there are lots of options for you there.

Another vote for the Hotel Paradise, we stayed in an apartment, also enjoyed breakfast at the hotel.

Great info so far. Will check the links.
Thanks

I'm trying to not make a big deal out of the place we stay as it will mostly be a place we sleep in. We're thinking of doing some day trips with maybe one day dedicated to Bologna. Eating, walking, maybe the Modern museum.
I looked into one of the food day trips but they were a bit limited on the days we were there.
Would love to hear about your favorite experiences or places that you found in Bologna.

Hi Cybor,

One of my favorite experiences in Bologna was a visit to the Santa Maria della Vita church on Via Clavature. It's home to a life-size terracotta pieta. You could feel the grief in the faces of the mourners.

Another highlight was wandering the food markets around Via Pescherie Vecchie and Via Drapperie, and ogling the beautiful displays of produce and pasta. The streets are lined with shops and in the evening, we found them full of life as the locals shop for ingredients for their evening meal. A real treat.

My trip was a few years ago, but I wrote about it if you are interested

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/trip-report-my-november-trip-to-rome-and-bologna-with-mom-and-sis.cfm

Hope you enjoy Bologna as much as we did

The best thing to see in Bologna is the food on your plate -- be sure to get some restaurant recommendations.

Ditto the food markets.

I enjoyed the archeological museum.

Wander around the area near Piazzo Santo Stefano where the really old churches are -- we wandered into a courtyard just in time to hear the daily Gregorian chants, and it was magical.

The university area has a nice studenty vibe at night, with music and shows.

Many thanks, again. I went ahead and booked 3n at Hotel Paradise.
I asked for a quiet room and was offered the 3rd floor (looks like sky lights only ? or a street facing room.
Can anyone in the know tell me if they've been in either and if they have a preference.
I can't figure out if the 3rd floor rooms have a top floor deck or if the ceilings are low from what I'm seeing and reading.

I stayed in a third floor room with a skylight, and I don't recall much of a street view. Maybe a little bit of skyline if you stand in the right place? As I recall, part of the ceiling was slanted, but for the most part the the ceiling was of normal height. I don't remember a roof deck -- but you could ask the hotel.

There is no street noise since it is a pedestrian area, so all the rooms are pretty quiet. Except maybe the ones next to the elevator.