I have stayed at the Amarcord for three years in a row while attending a convention in Bologna. I found the Amarcord totally satisfactory for my purposes. I will explain.

First, the Amarcord is clean, well-equipped (although no phone on site), and tremendously convenient to Bologna. There are coffee shops, stores and restaurants nearby. We walked everywhere in Bologna from the Amarcord. If the gift bags or our feet got too heavy, we took a taxi back. We were able to walk from the fairgrounds to the hotel in 25 minutes rather than waiting an hour in the taxi line. The owner and his wife, who do not live on site, are charming, attentive and exceptionally helpful (Uberto, the owner, went out of his way to make certain that my luggage, which was delayed by the airlines, found its way to my room. He spoke with the airlines and came over to meet the airline's driver to receive my bag).

Now, as to serving my purposes. I do not usually travel in Europe to spend big dollars sleeping in grand hotels. If I wish to sit in grand hotel lobbies, I do so. We eat exceptionally well in Bologna. I am in my room from after dinner (always late) until early morning. The rest of the time, I am out. The Amarcord does not really have a lobby per se, or a lot of amenities for sitting around. The rooms are average sized or a bit larger than is standard for Europe. The building is not lavish, but it is clean, completely safe and well cared for.

So if you prefer great luxury, go find it, but as always, be prepared to pay handsomely for it, especially in season in Bologna. But for the money, the Amarcord is totally satisfactory, if not an incredible bargain.