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Accommodation

Hotels in Bologna are expensive and often full, so it is advisable to book in advance. High or low season is determined not by the time of year, but by the city's hectic trade fair calendar. Most hotels are geared to business travellers and provide a good range of facilities, but bedrooms - squeezed into medieval dimensions - are often dark and pokey. Single rooms are also in short supply and solo travellers can expect to pay a hefty supplement. It is worth bearing in mind, too, that most en-suite rooms in Italy will have a shower (doccia), rather than a bath (bagno). Hotel tax of 10% is usually included in the bill. Breakfast is generally included in the price of the room, but if not, it is better to make do with a coffee and a pastry (pasta) in a bar instead.

Grand Hotel Baglioni
Via Indipendenza 8, 40121 Bologna
Tel: (051) 225 445. Fax: (051) 234 840.
E-mail: ghb.bologna@baglioni-palacehotels.it
Web site: www.lhw.com/dd/hotel.html?id=64
Cost: L515,000-690,000.

Chosen as the headquarters for all delegations and visiting dignitaries to the city, the Grand Hotel Baglioni is the luxury choice in Bologna. Located in the centre of the city on one of the main shopping thoroughfares, all 118 rooms have en-suite facilities and terminals for e-mail and internet. Additional business facilities include meeting rooms for up to 120 people and limousine transfers to the airport on request. The Baglioni also boasts seven suites, a new health centre and facilities for golf, tennis, swimming and riding close by. The prestigious I Carracci restaurant offers excellent Bolognese cuisine in elegant surroundings.

Hotel Tower
Viale Lenin 48, 40138 Bologna
Tel: (051) 601 0909. Fax: (051) 601 0700.
E-mail: hoteltower@italyhotel.com
Cost: L340,000-440,000.

The Hotel Tower, belonging to the Boscolo Group, lies just off the ringroad (exit 11), ten kilometres (six miles) from the airport. While it certainly does not fall into the romantic Room with a View connotations of an Italian hotel, its 150 rooms are both smart and spacious. The La Caveja restaurant is a safe option for guests not wishing to make the trek into town, and the on-site congress centre can hold seminars for up to 400 people.

Jolly Hotel Bologna
Piazza XX Settembre 2, 40121 Bologna
Tel: (051) 248 921. Fax: (051) 249 764.
E-mail: bologna@jollyhotel.it
Web site: www.jollyhotels.it/bol_e.html
Cost: L320,000-460,000.

Belonging to a chain of reputable, if predictable, Italian hotels, the Jolly Hotel is clean, functional and convenient. Close to the train station, it attracts mainly tour groups and business clientele. Of the 155 rooms, those downstairs are on the small side, but the top rooms have been recently renovated and provide good spacious accommodation and excellent en-suite facilities. The restaurant, open to the public, serves traditional Italian food and is popular with the locals.

Hotel Corona D'Oro
Via Oberdan 12, 40126 Bologna
Tel: (051) 236 456. Fax: (051) 262 679.
E-mail: hotcoro@tin.it
Web site: www.cnc.it/bologna
Cost: L315,000-475,000.

Lying in the shadow of Bologna's famous towers, the Hotel Corona D'Oro has welcomed guests since 1890. Fortunately, the basic accommodation has been revamped since then, but this fine fifteenth-century palazzo still preserves a good deal of antique character. All 35 rooms have en-suite shower facilities. The hotel has a breakfast room, but no restaurant. However, the management provides guests with bicycles, so energetic visitors can freewheel to nearby Piazza Maggiore and search out supper in one of the many mouth-watering trattorias.

Hotel Savoia
Via San Donato 161, 40127 Bologna
Tel/Fax: (051) 633 2366.
E-mail: savoia@savoia.it
Web site: www.savoia.it
Cost: L300,000-480,000.

Situated close to Bologna's business district and just a short walk from the city centre, the 50-room Hotel Savoia - surrounded by lush greenery - is an elegant refuge from the hustle and bustle of trade fair life. Facilities include satellite TV and terminals for internet and e-mail. Answer machines and fax are also available on request. A separate business centre in the hotel grounds provides excellent facilities for large-scale presentations and private meetings. The adjoining restaurant offers good-quality Mediterranean food.

Hotel Commercianti
Via De'Pignattari 11, 40124 Bologna
Tel: (051) 233 052. Fax: (051) 224 733.
E-mail: commercianti@italyhotel.com
Cost: L270,000-470,000.

Lying just off Piazza Maggiore, the Hotel Commercianti is so close to the Basilica of San Petronio one can almost touch it. Back in the twelfth century, it was the town hall. Today, it houses 35 rooms carefully restored to preserve the original medieval wooden structure. Though its quirky shuttered rooms have been thoughtfully furnished to include basic business facilities, the hotel is more suited to leisure travellers. There is a bar and buffet breakfast, but no restaurant.

Hotel Palace
Via Montegrappa 9/2, 40121 Bologna
Tel: (051) 237 442. Fax: (051) 220 689.
E-mail: palace@italyhotel.com
Cost: L190,000 (breakfast not included).

Not far from Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna, rises the Hotel Palace. Housed inside the seventeenth-century Palazzo Cataldi, the hotel is notable for it large, sunny rooms and tranquil atmosphere. For added romance, there is a captivating view of the city's rusty rooftops and baroque domes from the fifth floor. There is a breakfast room, but no restaurant.

Accademia Hotel
Via delle Belle Arti 6, 40100 Bologna
Tel: (051) 232 318. Fax: (051) 263 590.
E-mail: hotelaccademia@digibank.it
Web site: www.hotelaccademia.com
Cost: L150,000-180,000.

Adjacent to the university, this is one of the most economical options in the historic centre. The Ravaglia family, who have been in the business for over 25 years, claim to have kept prices low in order for everyone to be able to appreciate the beauty of Bologna. The hotel has 28 rooms in single, double or triple combination. The decor is somewhat eclectic, but the hotel is clean and the staff are friendly. Parking and breakfast are available on request, for a small fee.



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