After leaving Riva del Garda, we took a train from Rovereto to visit Mantova. My room, the recommended Junior suite/Triple room number 31, was reserved from as early as December. After learning that Mantova is such a romantic place with three lakes, I thought to myself, better keep it for nicer weather, and I am glad I came in June.

Upon arrival, turn left and cross the road to find Via Bonomi on your right. At the end of Via Bonomi, cross over Corso V. Emmanuel II and turn left. Then walk straight to find Hotel Italia on your right (7-8 minutes walk). The Hotel is located in a 6 storey building, the bottom 4 being rooms while the top 2 levels are private apartments not belonging to the Hotel.

We were glad we had asked for quieter rooms facing the Hotel's back lane. The Hotel's front facade is facing a busy Piazza, with constant cars , taxis and buses traffic. However, rooms facing this main road seems to have covered balconies, so if you are a light sleeper, you might ask for these rooms.

Ms Isa from Reception was such a gem, she not only kept the winter rate for us in June, she also picked the right room for us - a comfy room with a separated walk-in area with a sofa bed, massage chair, minibar and lots of closets. What is most important, we are jet lagged light sleepers, and room 31 was facing a L-shaped, quiet back lane. At night, this small lane was very quiet with no shops and only parked cars, great for sleeping!

The Hotel's location is really superb - 7-8 minutes to train station, 5 to Piazza delle Erbe and 10 to Piazza Sordella. We walk most of the times, but there were plenty of buses to take to Piazza Sordella eg the tourist CC bus and some other buses. The same CC bus will also take you to Palazzo Te, which is my favorite sight in Mantova, do not miss it!

Overall, we slept very well in the suite with ultra strong and yet, quiet aircon and fan! There were glass cups, slippers upon asking, CNN & BBC channels, gorgeous Glass lamps throughout the suite, bath lotion and not soaps here, DVD player in the suite. For drinks and snacks, Carrefor supermarket is on your right out of the Hotel, same goes for a bakery.

With all these pluses, then why such a heading you may ask? Well, this has to do with the Hotel's nondescript reception and common areas - sort of 1970's style. I think Hotels' common areas are very important in conveying certain messages to its clients. Maybe the Hotel should consider upgrading the common areas and brown coloured bathrooms?

All in all, with such a good pricing, we enjoyed the suite and slept well during our two nights stay. Though breakfasts is a simple affair here, there is a coffee machine that produces 5-6 different types of coffee, yum! Choose to stay at the Hotel Italia as there isn't much of a choice in Mantova, unless you don't mind B & Bs in Piazza delle Erbe. Enjoy!

If you are the first time in Italy, or if you are usually in 4 to 5 star business type hotels, you may not chosse this place. It is a typical Italian town hotel, a bit old fashioned, however the rooms a clean, our bathroom was releatively new renovated and bigger than the usual 30 sqf you sometimes get. Rooms are high but rather small, air con worked perfectly and we got a room to the side street which was reasonable quiet.

Internet in the lobby -we didn't use it- breakfast included, with qiet a variarity of different food.

Secure Parking is some 300m away, but you can park in front of the main hotel entrance to unload. 15€ per day extra.

Given the limited number of hotels in Mantua in the center and the friendliness of the staff -they also are able to pseak a little English- enough to explain the basics- I recommend this place. Better than the ABC I have stayed before in Mantova.

By the way do not miss to go to the restaurant quadrato, if you can manage very hugh portions of home made Italian food at the lowest prices in Mantova. But do not order to much to start with, explor it first. Be beware this restaurant is extremely popular wth locals, families, students etc. it is always very busy. For me a day in Mantova without being there at least 1 time is a lost day. And finish your meal with their home mad limoncello.

There are such divergent reviews on this hotel, I think its useful to give a brief introduction. Mantova is a small but very pretty city with much to see while still being an "under the radar" destination. That said, this off the beat and path city has few hotels and not so much tourism. We found the location of the hotel to be just about perfect, and with a little trouble negotiating street parking had no issues with its position in the town.

This is a modest and fairly dated hotel. The facilities we had were adequate with a somewhat quirky hotel room that was actually divided into 2 little rooms and the more than adequate bathroom. We asked for extra pillows and towels and they were quickly provided. The room was clean and while not of a high standard, I think, its critical to adjust your expectations to a small town, 3 star modest hotel that is dated. This is not to say there is anything bad about the hotel.

While, we're not likely to return to Mantova, I'd consider staying here again for its location, more than adequate included breakfast, free WiFi and very helpful desk staff who graciously carried our bags both up to our room and then, from the lobby to our car.

The people were really very sweet and helpful. I don't think its fair to knock this property because it can't compare to some 4 or 5 star properties in Rome or elsewhere.

The rooms are dark and smell like cigarette smoke, with beaten-up furniture. The manager is inflexible, the desk staff are rude and lazy. Overpriced and smelly. Don't bother with this hotel---there are others in Mantua that give you a better deal and nicer experience.