Far from town but fantastic place - old mansion renovated with high class and great value. Staff is helpful. Very silent and confortable

We stayed here only one night, unfortunately ! I'm not usually a fan of chain hotels, but this one had all the best of Italy plus all the best of a first-class hotel. The hotel is out in the country about three miles east of the old Bologna city walls on the Via Emilia. At our time of year, the air there smelled like fresh-cut hay and birds were singing outside our window. This modern hotel is built around an old villa and its beautiful gardens, with the modern rooms tastefully added to the old architecture. The rooms are large and have all the conveniences you could want, plus the breakfast buffet is fabulous (which it should be given that this is Bologna). The staff were so personable and friendly....booked us for a table at a nearby gourmet restaurant and in every other way personably attentive. My favorite thing ? Probably the grounds....old Italian trees and beautiful landscaping. The price we paid didn't reflect what Trip-Advisor suggested.....our room was about $250.00, but compared to prices of comparable hotels in Bologna, this was very well priced.

I've now stayed in this HI twice. Last year (2005) was just after the hotel had opened following a quite major refurb and new wing addition. The staff are very pleasant and helpful with excellent English.

The hotel is well located on the main road between Bologna and Imola and i've used it during the San Marino GP weekends, but you will need a taxi to take you into the city as the bus service is less than regular.

The dining is ok, but you'd be better off going into the city where there is a much greater choice.

In 2005 the hotel was offering wired internet which was fast and reliable, but for this year it is wi-fi only and it was down for the 4 nights I stayed.

It's not a typical Holiday Inn (only franchised by Holiday Inn) as it is an up to date older building (contains a beautiful small chapel) connected with a new building (build about 2004). Eastside of Bologna (about 15km to city, public traffic seems to be not available sufficently, 20min to airport BLQ).
We took it as a basis for exploring Modena, Ferarra and Ravena (each about 30min by car) and Rimini, San Marino (about 1,5h).
Although they had troubles with the key (magnet didn't work; we had to change room), rooms look beautiful and are clean (we had at first room 290 with an angular roof, then room 272, both in the new building). Also bathroom is up to date and leaves no wishes.
A McDonalds is about 5min by car westside of the hotel, as are a lot of Pizza-to-go's. Other Restaurants are rare - you need to go to Bologna.
I would stay again at this nice and quiet hotel.
(Been there April 2006)