I am trying to distinguish what a Pensione is compared to a hotel or a hostel! Please, clear this up for me. Thanks!

In my experience they have been a cross between a hotel and a B&B. Usually rather small and often times family run. <BR> <BR>Cheers, the turnip

a hotel, but not a big one

I think of a pensione as a small, privately owned hotel. In my own experience, usually "family" owned... <BR>Been in some really great ones, and a scary one... or two. <BR>They're usually listed at the local Tourist Office as "decent, inexpensive lodging", depending on the local standards. <BR> <BR>A step and a half up from a nihostel

...make that "hostel" <BR> <BR> <BR>