4 Best Hotels in Emilia–Romagna, Italy

In the early 18th century this lodging began life as a convent (later suppressed by Napoléon), but now it's a delightful city-center bed-and-breakfast, popular with performers at the city's Teatro Comunale. Filippo Orlandini is the resident proprietor—very hands-on and eager to make your stay as wonderful as possible. The living room, temporarily transformed with linen tablecloths, doubles as the breakfast room. Guest rooms have comfortable beds and flowers in the window boxes. When it's warmer, you can sit outside on a small terrace with a pergola. One self-catering apartment is also available.

Proprietor Antonio di Resta shows his impeccable sense of style and love of all things French in a lovely little bed-and-breakfast just a few steps from the Duomo. Both mansarded rooms have been eclectically and painstakingly decorated with treasures found in markets both in Italy and Provence (among other places). Floors are hardwood, and the sheets on the amazingly comfortable beds are linen. The small sitting room provides a perfect place to unwind, and the little kitchen up a flight of stairs provides city views. Breakfast is served just down the street at Mon Café, the café and bistro owned by the B&B. If two couples, or a family, are traveling, both rooms can be rented, and the public rooms become yours.

For a quiet and welcoming lodging on a residential street a stone's throw from the Basilica di San Vitale, look no further—it even has a delightful garden. Common rooms, like the sitting area, have cheery yellow walls, Oriental rugs, a bit of chintz, gleaming hardwood floors, and Arts and Crafts furniture. Breakfast is served in the garden when it's warm enough, and later on you can relax here with a drink from the honor bar. Rooms and bathrooms are surprisingly large by Italian standards. Several have private terraces overlooking the garden (two open right on to it), and two can connect, making it good for families.

A 17th-century palace has been refurbished with 21st-century amenities to provide a lovely place to rest one's head: the suites are under the same management as the Parizzi restaurant (it's a shared entrance), so you can just glide downstairs for a marvelous meal. (Alternatively, room service of the highest quality is available.) All suites—with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and well-supplied kitchens—offer simple elegance at reasonable prices. One is perfect for families; another will suit sybarites who might want to splash around in the Jacuzzi. Rates are lower for weeklong (and long-term) stays.