Budget (or at least Somewhat Inexpensive) Lodging in Bologna
Dec 11th, 2013, 08:46 PM
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Budget (or at least Somewhat Inexpensive) Lodging in Bologna
I am beginning to look into a visit to Bologna (including of course Parma and Modena) sometime next year, maybe October 2014.
I have looked at endless hotels and B&B's and gotten some ideas of where I might be able to book for a decent price (read not more than 100 Euros per night) but would like feedback from Fodor's friends who can give an in depth review of places they have stayed.
Here are some of the hotels I have marked :
Residence Mirasole
Hotel Aemelia
La Magnolia
Albergo Atlantic
But I am open and happy to hear other suggestions.
I am well aware that Bologna, as Milano, has double, triple and quadruple price systems depdending on trade fair shows. We are very flexible in our dates and will work around that.
Looking forward to some replies and information.
Many thanks in advance!!
I have looked at endless hotels and B&B's and gotten some ideas of where I might be able to book for a decent price (read not more than 100 Euros per night) but would like feedback from Fodor's friends who can give an in depth review of places they have stayed.
Here are some of the hotels I have marked :
Residence Mirasole
Hotel Aemelia
La Magnolia
Albergo Atlantic
But I am open and happy to hear other suggestions.
I am well aware that Bologna, as Milano, has double, triple and quadruple price systems depdending on trade fair shows. We are very flexible in our dates and will work around that.
Looking forward to some replies and information.
Many thanks in advance!!
Dec 11th, 2013, 11:30 PM
#2
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You might consider the Paradise. Nice people, nice rooms, nice breakfast. Convenient location: An easy walk to the center and restaurants nearby. It’s a 15 or 20 minute walk to the train station. I got a large double for single use for 80€ a couple years ago, but it’s probably higher now. The singles are smaller and cheaper, but still quite nice. Fodorite friends Barb and GaryCA liked it as well.
Here’s a shot of my room and a few of Bologna as well.
http://www.hotelparadisebologna.it/en/
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/image/146970794
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/bologna&page=1
Here’s a shot of my room and a few of Bologna as well.
http://www.hotelparadisebologna.it/en/
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/image/146970794
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/bologna&page=1
Dec 12th, 2013, 12:53 AM
#3
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I've also stayed at the Hotel Paradise and highly recommend it. A friend and I stayed in one of the mini-apartments they manage across the street from the hotel. We were able to use all the services of the hotel, including the breakfast. It's within easy walking distance from the Piazza Maggiore and also from the train station. The airport bus has a stop just a stone's throw from the hotel.
Dec 12th, 2013, 05:48 AM
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The Hotel Centrale is a block away from Pza. Maggiore, and is rated a 2-star when it's more like a 3-star. I stayed there a few years ago, and will probably stay there on my next trip.
http://www.albergocentralebologna.it/
http://www.albergocentralebologna.it/
Dec 12th, 2013, 01:19 PM
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Look at www.housetrip.com - lots of properties in the price range you listed - apartments where you live "like at home".
Dec 12th, 2013, 05:58 PM
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While just outside of Parma, we loved this place - and very budget friendly!
http://www.cancabaia.it/index_en.php
http://www.cancabaia.it/index_en.php
Dec 12th, 2013, 08:25 PM
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jujubean - I just checked out your recommendation and indeed it looks wonderful and the price is great. Did you base there and day trip to Modena and Bologna? What else can you tell me about your stay there?
Thanks much !!
Thanks much !!
Dec 12th, 2013, 08:48 PM
#11
<I believe I had contacted the Paradise as well and they were above my budget.>
that does not seem right. I checked prices for various dates in Oct and they are nowhere neat 100 Euro, although availability is spotty in that month.
We stayed there and ditto the comments made about the hotel.
that does not seem right. I checked prices for various dates in Oct and they are nowhere neat 100 Euro, although availability is spotty in that month.
We stayed there and ditto the comments made about the hotel.
Dec 13th, 2013, 04:19 AM
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I stayed at the Albergo Atlantic a couple years ago and thought it was fine. Here is the review I wrote about it.
Hotel Albergo Atlantic Via Galliera 46 Bologna € 55single
Tel. 051 24.84.88 www.albergoatlantic.net [email protected] Booking.com
Conveniently located about 10 min from the train station, towards the center of town, one block off of the main street, Via Indepenzia. Newly renovated, everything inside is modern and very clean. Lift, hairdryer, TV (no English stations), free internet in the room (not wi-fi but they give you a cable) plus there is a free internet point if you don’t have your own computer. Breakfast of juice, coffee, yogurt, croissants, cereal.
Hotel Albergo Atlantic Via Galliera 46 Bologna € 55single
Tel. 051 24.84.88 www.albergoatlantic.net [email protected] Booking.com
Conveniently located about 10 min from the train station, towards the center of town, one block off of the main street, Via Indepenzia. Newly renovated, everything inside is modern and very clean. Lift, hairdryer, TV (no English stations), free internet in the room (not wi-fi but they give you a cable) plus there is a free internet point if you don’t have your own computer. Breakfast of juice, coffee, yogurt, croissants, cereal.
Dec 13th, 2013, 05:41 AM
#14
I like this site for Italy because you can search an area by map and select B&B's that are where you want to be. It has direct contact for the B&B (their web link or e-mail if they don't have a web page).
It also has a feature where you can send a blanket request for a particular area you select (I've selected Bologna centro on my link) and it's sent to all the B&B's in that area. You select your dates and they send the blanket request so you hear back from most in the selected area with offers.
http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-ital...NA&idregione=5
It also has a feature where you can send a blanket request for a particular area you select (I've selected Bologna centro on my link) and it's sent to all the B&B's in that area. You select your dates and they send the blanket request so you hear back from most in the selected area with offers.
http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-ital...NA&idregione=5
Dec 13th, 2013, 10:22 AM
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About 2 years ago my husband and I had a pleasant stay at Albergo Drapperie. http://www.albergodrapperie.com/
Very convenient location in the pedestrian only zone. However, also not too far a walk from the bus stop when we took the bus from the airport.
Very convenient location in the pedestrian only zone. However, also not too far a walk from the bus stop when we took the bus from the airport.
Dec 14th, 2013, 01:30 AM
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I have contacted the Paradise and wait for their response. Meanwhile, Aemilia hotel, very high ranking on tripadvisor, gives me some amazing rates for selected dates in October, i.e. 69 Euros per night for 2 for bed and breakfast. Anyone stayed there?
Dec 14th, 2013, 06:11 AM
#17
Flame - here is the part of my Italy TR that is about Bologna. The second paragraph has a more complete description of the Paradise to help you if you are choosing between several hotels. I hope the info is helpful in planning your trip.
Our biggest mistake on this trip was Bologna. That is, only planning 2 nights in this wonderful city. It is a place where we need to return -there is so much more to see. It is a thriving, bustling place with a palpable feeling of life. The architecture is unique. Most streets are covered in Porticos, so walking around on a rainy day (although the weather was clear for our visit)would be easy. Lots of red brick and lots of history. The highlight of our stay were the University, the oldest in Europe, and its museums, particularly the old medical school located "off campus" near the Piazza Maggiore, the Piazza with its erotic fountain of Neptune.
We stayed at the Hotel Paradise, located a block off the main drag midway between the train station and the Piazza Maggiore - about a 10 minute walk from each. Some reviews have said the street is a bit scary, but we did not think so at all - the street is old and there is some graffiti and a sex shop but that is all. There are also other shops and several restaurants and 2 wine bars - one that is upscale attached to a specialty food shop. The Paradise is a small hotel and the rooms have differing decors. Our room was on the top floor and rather than windows, had skylights that could be opened if one wished to do so. The skylights also had a remote control shade to keep out the light at night. We preferred the shade opened so we could see the moon and stars from our bed. The Paradise also has several apartments in different nearby buildings for about 10% extra. We saw one bedroom around the corner in a nice building with a courtyard entrance. It was very tempting, but we passed on it. What the Paradise lacks in luxury it makes up for with a group of the most helpful and friendly staff you will ever want, lots of little touches in the rooms such as a plethora of easily reachable outlets, switches controlling everything from bedside, and toilet amenities that included a shaving kit and a travel toothbrush and toothpaste. The breakfast was fine with the usual selection of yogurt, breads and pastries, coffee, cereals etc. The is also free internet with a workstation set up in the lobby. (I neglected to mention in the Venice portion of this report that the Palazzo Guardi also had free internet and a lobby workstation).
Touring around our first day, we had to make the decision of whether or not to do a side trip to Ravenna. We decided against that since there was so much to see and do in Bologna. We will save Ravenna for another trip.
So, about the food. We asked the helpful friendly folk at the hotel for a recommendation and they recommended a nearby place called "Trattoria dal Biassanot." It is not a tourist restaurant and serves typical Bolognese dishes. We arrived at its opening time of 7:30 and it very quickly filled up. Our waiter spoke excellent English, denying me the chance to practice my menu Italian. As we were discussing what we should order, an older fellow, dining alone at the next table asked in perfect English if we are American and how did we find out about this restaurant. Turns out his English was perfect because he was an English Lit Professor at an American University, who after teaching a semester in Rome, decided to retire there and had been living in Rome these past ten years. He frequently visits Bologna and always eats at this restaurant. He congratulated us on the wisdom of our hotel in suggesting this restaurant and said that we must try the green lasagna. We ordered a vegetarian anti paste plate and the green lasagna. Simply stated, it was the best lasagna I have ever eaten. Ever!Light, with perfectly balanced flavors and very tasty green home made pasta. We asked the waiter to suggest a white wine and he suggested the house white that was a Prosecco Frizzante. Lord, was it delicious. We had never tried a Prosecco before and after that, I don't know if I want to drink anything else - it is a dry, fresh wine, fruity with a hint of pear, light, refreshing and with just a hint of very fine bubbles. Not at all like a champagne or Asti Spumonte. Service was excellent and after we were done, the owner chef, who has won awards, came out to ask if we enjoyed our meal - a nice touch. All of the cooking is done by she and her husband and all of the pasta is made in-house. This is a restaurant worth seeking out.
Bologna is a wonderful walking city. Most of the primary sights/sites are not far from the Piazza Maggiore. Getting off the main streets and exploring the small streets bring visual surprises and some really nice shops. We took a different route back towards our hotel from the University area - a section of Bologna well worth a visit not only for its museums but for the ambiance of the place - and found ourselves walking through the maze of streets that had been the Jewish Ghetto with streets having names like Via Inferno. We came upon a custom shoe shop called Max's. Through one window one could see the shoemaker's tools and leathers, and in the display window some beautifully crafted shoes. We would have gone in to look around but since it was Saturday, they were closed. They did open around dusk, and curious about their work, we returned. Two men were measuring a young lady's foot for custom boots. They were pleased to show us their work. If you want a pair of custom shoes and are willing to spend 6-800 Euro, it is the place to go.
But I digress, we earlier discovered in the Piazza Maggiore a building located to the right when entering the Piazza from Via dell' Independenza. It is directly opposite the fountain. Inside is sort of a mall with a library and some shops. Part of the floor is glass so one can see the excavations below. Entering the building, there is a small cafe on the right with pastries, panini and such at very reasonable prices - a good place to know. They serve some fountain drinks - a glass of sparkling water was 30 cents.
Since we would be leaving for Rome the following day, we decided to shop for a picnic to eat on the way in the stores of the market street that runs off of the Piazza Maggiori. As usual in Italy, fruits and veggies were arranged in attractive displays. Dates, dried figs, bread, cheese and a couple of those delicious pears that I have only seen in Italy made for what would be a most tasty picnic the next day.
Dinner was a difficult decision. Do we try a new restaurant, or further explore the menu of the Biassanot where we had such a perfect meal the night before. We opted for the latter. We started once again with the vegetarian ante pasta. I opted for the gnocchi while Mi Chica ordered the tortellini di zucca once again - she is a sort of vegetarian, although she will eat fish on occasion. Our meals were accompanyed again with that delightful Prosecco wine.
Gnocchi is a dish that I really like but hesitate to order because it is often so poorly done and heavy. The gnocchi, subtly flavored with gorganzola were, like the lasagna the previous night, the very best I have ever had. They were so light it seemed that they could float up onto the fork. For desert, we shared a poached pear in a sweetened wine sauce topped with homemade vanilla ice cream. Outstanding! During dinner, the gentleman that we met the previous night came in. He did not come to eat at that time but said that he was sure we would be back and guessed at the time - he wanted to invite us for lunch when we got to Rome and to show us his favorite lunchtime restaurant. We exchanged phone numbers, he left and we were on our way to making a fine new friend. Again, the owner chef came to our table to ask if we enjoyed our meal and told us that her husband makes the gnocchi.
After one last walk-around and a stroll down the interestingly named Via Malcontenti (it seems that was the place of executions, hence the name or so we were told) we headed back to the hotel to pack and say goodbye to Bologna.
Our biggest mistake on this trip was Bologna. That is, only planning 2 nights in this wonderful city. It is a place where we need to return -there is so much more to see. It is a thriving, bustling place with a palpable feeling of life. The architecture is unique. Most streets are covered in Porticos, so walking around on a rainy day (although the weather was clear for our visit)would be easy. Lots of red brick and lots of history. The highlight of our stay were the University, the oldest in Europe, and its museums, particularly the old medical school located "off campus" near the Piazza Maggiore, the Piazza with its erotic fountain of Neptune.
We stayed at the Hotel Paradise, located a block off the main drag midway between the train station and the Piazza Maggiore - about a 10 minute walk from each. Some reviews have said the street is a bit scary, but we did not think so at all - the street is old and there is some graffiti and a sex shop but that is all. There are also other shops and several restaurants and 2 wine bars - one that is upscale attached to a specialty food shop. The Paradise is a small hotel and the rooms have differing decors. Our room was on the top floor and rather than windows, had skylights that could be opened if one wished to do so. The skylights also had a remote control shade to keep out the light at night. We preferred the shade opened so we could see the moon and stars from our bed. The Paradise also has several apartments in different nearby buildings for about 10% extra. We saw one bedroom around the corner in a nice building with a courtyard entrance. It was very tempting, but we passed on it. What the Paradise lacks in luxury it makes up for with a group of the most helpful and friendly staff you will ever want, lots of little touches in the rooms such as a plethora of easily reachable outlets, switches controlling everything from bedside, and toilet amenities that included a shaving kit and a travel toothbrush and toothpaste. The breakfast was fine with the usual selection of yogurt, breads and pastries, coffee, cereals etc. The is also free internet with a workstation set up in the lobby. (I neglected to mention in the Venice portion of this report that the Palazzo Guardi also had free internet and a lobby workstation).
Touring around our first day, we had to make the decision of whether or not to do a side trip to Ravenna. We decided against that since there was so much to see and do in Bologna. We will save Ravenna for another trip.
So, about the food. We asked the helpful friendly folk at the hotel for a recommendation and they recommended a nearby place called "Trattoria dal Biassanot." It is not a tourist restaurant and serves typical Bolognese dishes. We arrived at its opening time of 7:30 and it very quickly filled up. Our waiter spoke excellent English, denying me the chance to practice my menu Italian. As we were discussing what we should order, an older fellow, dining alone at the next table asked in perfect English if we are American and how did we find out about this restaurant. Turns out his English was perfect because he was an English Lit Professor at an American University, who after teaching a semester in Rome, decided to retire there and had been living in Rome these past ten years. He frequently visits Bologna and always eats at this restaurant. He congratulated us on the wisdom of our hotel in suggesting this restaurant and said that we must try the green lasagna. We ordered a vegetarian anti paste plate and the green lasagna. Simply stated, it was the best lasagna I have ever eaten. Ever!Light, with perfectly balanced flavors and very tasty green home made pasta. We asked the waiter to suggest a white wine and he suggested the house white that was a Prosecco Frizzante. Lord, was it delicious. We had never tried a Prosecco before and after that, I don't know if I want to drink anything else - it is a dry, fresh wine, fruity with a hint of pear, light, refreshing and with just a hint of very fine bubbles. Not at all like a champagne or Asti Spumonte. Service was excellent and after we were done, the owner chef, who has won awards, came out to ask if we enjoyed our meal - a nice touch. All of the cooking is done by she and her husband and all of the pasta is made in-house. This is a restaurant worth seeking out.
Bologna is a wonderful walking city. Most of the primary sights/sites are not far from the Piazza Maggiore. Getting off the main streets and exploring the small streets bring visual surprises and some really nice shops. We took a different route back towards our hotel from the University area - a section of Bologna well worth a visit not only for its museums but for the ambiance of the place - and found ourselves walking through the maze of streets that had been the Jewish Ghetto with streets having names like Via Inferno. We came upon a custom shoe shop called Max's. Through one window one could see the shoemaker's tools and leathers, and in the display window some beautifully crafted shoes. We would have gone in to look around but since it was Saturday, they were closed. They did open around dusk, and curious about their work, we returned. Two men were measuring a young lady's foot for custom boots. They were pleased to show us their work. If you want a pair of custom shoes and are willing to spend 6-800 Euro, it is the place to go.
But I digress, we earlier discovered in the Piazza Maggiore a building located to the right when entering the Piazza from Via dell' Independenza. It is directly opposite the fountain. Inside is sort of a mall with a library and some shops. Part of the floor is glass so one can see the excavations below. Entering the building, there is a small cafe on the right with pastries, panini and such at very reasonable prices - a good place to know. They serve some fountain drinks - a glass of sparkling water was 30 cents.
Since we would be leaving for Rome the following day, we decided to shop for a picnic to eat on the way in the stores of the market street that runs off of the Piazza Maggiori. As usual in Italy, fruits and veggies were arranged in attractive displays. Dates, dried figs, bread, cheese and a couple of those delicious pears that I have only seen in Italy made for what would be a most tasty picnic the next day.
Dinner was a difficult decision. Do we try a new restaurant, or further explore the menu of the Biassanot where we had such a perfect meal the night before. We opted for the latter. We started once again with the vegetarian ante pasta. I opted for the gnocchi while Mi Chica ordered the tortellini di zucca once again - she is a sort of vegetarian, although she will eat fish on occasion. Our meals were accompanyed again with that delightful Prosecco wine.
Gnocchi is a dish that I really like but hesitate to order because it is often so poorly done and heavy. The gnocchi, subtly flavored with gorganzola were, like the lasagna the previous night, the very best I have ever had. They were so light it seemed that they could float up onto the fork. For desert, we shared a poached pear in a sweetened wine sauce topped with homemade vanilla ice cream. Outstanding! During dinner, the gentleman that we met the previous night came in. He did not come to eat at that time but said that he was sure we would be back and guessed at the time - he wanted to invite us for lunch when we got to Rome and to show us his favorite lunchtime restaurant. We exchanged phone numbers, he left and we were on our way to making a fine new friend. Again, the owner chef came to our table to ask if we enjoyed our meal and told us that her husband makes the gnocchi.
After one last walk-around and a stroll down the interestingly named Via Malcontenti (it seems that was the place of executions, hence the name or so we were told) we headed back to the hotel to pack and say goodbye to Bologna.
Dec 14th, 2013, 07:02 AM
#20
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Ooooohhhhhhh love the trip report portion you inserted into your reply basingstoke. Thanks!!
Meantime I have heard back from the Paradise and their CHEAPEST offer is 120 Euros so I would be pleased to see where you got your under 100 Euros offer when you checked out some October rates. It does sound tempting, but again a bit over my budget. I will definitely seek out that amazing sounding restaurant though !! Kudos indeed for the hotel to suggest a place like that to you rather than the usual touristy routes.
Meantime I have heard back from the Paradise and their CHEAPEST offer is 120 Euros so I would be pleased to see where you got your under 100 Euros offer when you checked out some October rates. It does sound tempting, but again a bit over my budget. I will definitely seek out that amazing sounding restaurant though !! Kudos indeed for the hotel to suggest a place like that to you rather than the usual touristy routes.
