I have just returned from an Italian holiday which was ruined by my stay at the Hotel Tre Vecchi. The horrible experience began when my family and I were kept waiting and standing at the Reception Desk for 25 minutes whilst another person was trying to resolve a mistake with their reservation. Having patiently waited to be served, my bag was stolen as soon as I put it down right beside me at the Reception desk having pulled out my passport to provide check in details. This all happenend in full view of staff standing around who hadn't offered to help us with our bags, or in full view of security cameras in this 4 star hotel! There was no manager on site who could assist us. Other clients staying at the hotel walked past and stopped to comment they were sure their bags had been opened. The staff were extremely unhelpful in an emergency when my bag, phone, wallet, camera had been stolen at their Reception desk! I was told that no manager was onsite to speak to. Under no circumstances would I ever recommend you stay at this hotel that should definitely hold its 4 stars. Bologna is a beatuiful place, just don't stay here.

I did not personaly stayed there. A friend was unfortunately booked there. I visited the room they wanted to give him first, wich he refused, and the one he finaly accepted. The Hotel itself is very old and poorly censervated after you pass the lobby. The ceiling and walls of the stairway could use a remodeling and paint job. The first room presented looked something like an ovesised broom closet, smeling like it had been closed moisty for centuaries. Basic old and spent furniture. Ceiling matching the stairway. very small TV available high up on the closet top. After refusing this one, my friend took a similar, sized and furnitured room that did not smell. The rest of the hotel was OK, good breakfeast. What amazes me is that it is rated a 4 star hotel recomended on the michlin guide (our so they say), and was recomended after a previous visit by the congress organization commitee. For the same price you can do a lot better. Try the mercure or the Europa near the train station.

Despite seeing mixed reviews we chose the Tre Vecchi for its location. 10 minutes walk to the station, 10 minutes walk to Piazza Maggiore and just a few yards from the airport bus stop. Our room, on the side, was not large and rather tired but not unacceptable. We prefer cool bedrooms so it did feel too warm at night. The air-conditioning wasn't working in April and the windows had to be closed because of general city street noise. The internal bathroom smelled rather musty but was perfectly clean. Towels and bed linen were changed daily. We thought breakfast was very good with a wide range of breads, pastries, cooked meats, cheeses etc. We don't eat cooked breakfast so can't comment on what was provided there. Mirrored walls everywhere confused initially. The reception staff were friendly and performed the only service we requested - to book a table at Da Gianni - without issue. Trattoria Anna Maria and Trattoria Belli Arti were particular favourites for dinner. To visit San Luca and walk the portico, it's leg saving to get No. 20 bus to Villa Spada, transfer to mini-bus and get one way ticket to San Luca. It's easier walking down than walking up! Also trains to Florence are Intercity/Eurostar and are better pre-booked as specific seats are allocated. Our 1st choice trains in both directions were already fully booked when we went for tickets. No problem with the local train to Ravenna - worth a visit for the amazing mosaics.

Excellent location. Stayed 3 nights. Great value as we averaged 100 euros a night for the room. Room was clean ( loved the linens) and a good size. Shower was small but we've had smaller ones in Italy. Decor a tad out of date but okay. Staff if not overly friendly were very helpfull. Good breakfast (evertything was fresh) with scramlbed eggs, bacon, cold cuts, fruit, delicious pastries and a barrista who looks a lot like Boderick Crawford but makes a mean cappucino or double esspresso. .

Watch out for ZTL charges. My husband and I stayed in Bologna and booked the above hotel through Hotelopia on the Easyjet site. When we arrived we booked in and told reception we had a hire car and checked where to park. In November, long after we came home, we had a Credit card statement from Europcar for traffic violations - it appears that if you stay in the ZTL zone the hotel should inform the Competent Board of your number plate so you are registered for your stay - we were not asked for this and knew nothing about this. Easyjet - not interested, Hotelopia say it's Europcar's fault and Europcar don't want to know either. Currently under dispute - the bill is over 300 euros! Make sure this doesn't happen to you.