As you can see from my previous posts, we are traveling to Central and then northern Italy for two weeks in May. I've done really well thanks to all your suggestions and am ready to book a few nights in Bologna and Bellagio.
Does anyone have a small hotel recommendation , b and b or even an apartment?
I am looking to be conservative on costs. thank you

We stayed here http://www.miramonte-bologna.it/ a few years ago and liked it.

We have stayed here twice and highly recommend

http://www.anticaresidenzadazeglio.it

We liked the Paradise Hotel in Bologna. It's an easy walk to the train station and also to the Piazza Maggiore, the main square in Bologna. In addition to the hotel, they manage a few apartments across the street, which I think were a bit cheaper, although I'm not certain. We stayed in one of the apartments, which entitled us to have breakfast at the hotel.

Hotel prices in Bologna vary widely depending on whether there's a trade show in town at the time.

I have traveled to Italy 24 times in the past 15 years. A month or so ago I spent a week in Bologna at the best apartment in all those trips. VRBO #1084188ha. 20 meters from the due torri, bright, modern, 1 apartment per floor with new elevator.

Because we trained to Ravenna from Bologna, we stayed at a Sofitel near the station and loved it. It was about 15 minute walk to the centro but literally across the street from the station. We had a room in back and it was very quiet. It may have changed names but if you google Sofitel Bologna, it'll come up.

Have a great trip!

We also stayed at the Paradise last year and liked the location and comfort level for the price. We were fortunate to be there without any conventions in Bologna. We took the airport bus to and from the train station and then it was a short walk to the hotel from the station. It rained so hard for two of our three days in Bologna I was so very grateful for the many covered arcades Wishing you sunny skies for your trip stoweflake. Deborah

Also stayed at Paradise in their apartments across from the hotel.

Thank you all for your good wishes and suggestions. I booked a small hotel called
Alberto central bologna.