I stayed in Bologna 19-22nd January 2012. Got a deal online where you pay for Thursday/Friday night and get the Saturday night for free. Breakfast included. Location was important for me as I was a single, female traveller so didn't want to be walking into dodgy areas after a night out.

I initially got an 'upgrade' to room 404. Small, dark, carpeted nightmare. It did have a terrace though. I asked the lady that showed me to my room if there were rooms without carpet (as I feel they are always dirty and I don't sleep well either).

She said she'd show me to another room, 414, another upgrade. A much more fabulous category of room, massive bathroom, just beautiful. Terrace facing street side so good job I bought my ear plugs. I immediately felt at home and I was so lucky/thankful for the kindness of the reception staff.

Breakfast was fine. Good range of the usual food you'd expect.

I wasn't taken with Bologna, although I ate very well. Restaurant Merlo for one, was fabulous and very good value for money. I ate in the hotel twice, dinner, room service. The food was 'fine' but nothing spectacular. It was adequate. Wine very well priced. Staff very courteous. They booked me train tickets to Florence on Saturday with no issues.

One thing good about Bologna is the Eurostar runs through it, so in 37 minutes, you can be in Florence. I wish I'd stayed there instead.

Not sure if I'd stay at this hotel again, only because I prefer design hotel and it felt a little 'staid'. Too much carpet for my liking. Although if I could get room 414 again, I'd go back in a heartbeat. Very luxurious.

Great hotel, after living in Italy for 2 years it is great to finally stay in a real 5 star hotel. Nice rooms, staff and location. A little expensive but worth it. Took a but of time to find as front entrance set back between shops and is small but hotel is large and very very nice inside Breakfast nice but simple. Rooms lovely and staff arranged a great private tour of city for good price.

We stayed at this utterly charming hotel for five days in September 2011, as part of a conference. The rooms are beautifully decorated in old world charm but with all the modern day conveniences. The hotel is centrally located with lots of restaurants close by. Breakfasts were hearty; lounge was a bit spartan. Service staff were attentive and knew our names and wishes by the first evening. Kudos to the concierge staff, who managed to find us a cab despite the fact that the entire downtown area was closed to traffic for a marathon. This meant phoning around to 'find' an available limo, asking him to wait and running with us, bags and all, at least five city blocks to our waiting chauffeur. I dont know how we would have gotten to the airport on time if they had not helped us. Definitely deserving the 5 star rating.

without boring you with a thousand word review i'd say that out of the many hotels and cities i've been to in italy the grand majestic was the worst hotel and bologna the worst city.