A short trundle from the Central Station Hotel Mennini has well appointed rooms and an old world charm. Our room had a balcony and awe-inspiring views, the perfect spot for that afternoon Peroni.

Breakfast was nice with lashings of that wonderful Italian coffee.

We arrived at the Hotel Mennini in the late afternoon, after having travelled from Venice to Milan on the train. Getting to the Hotel, from the Central Station was easy. The Receptionists were friendly and efficient. However, the room we were put in was, to put it mildly, terrible. There was rising damp on one of the walls. When the light in the bathroom was turned on, the extractor fan also came on - but the noise it made was unbelievable - it sounded as though a 'plane was taking off. The air conditioner made so much noise that it was impossible to leave it on, for any length of time. But probably the worst thing about this particular room, was the bed, or to be more precise, the mattress. It was a spring mattress and every single spring protruded out of the mattress, making it impossible to sleep on. (Before going to sleep, we enquired about the mattresses in other rooms, and were advised "they are all the same."

During the night, apart from being unable to sleep because of the springs protruding from the mattress, we had the added problem of the noise coming from the "pub", which is situated directly underneath, this particular room.

We were extremely dissastisfied, especially when we were paying "top rates.

In the morning, we asked if another room was available, and were immediately put in a room on the 7th floor. It was as though we had been transported into a completely different hotel. The room had been recently re-painted, tiles laid on the floor (unlike the old carpet we had in the first room), and brand new air conditioner, which was silent, when turned on. No noisy extractor fan in the bathroom, no noise coming in from outside, and best of all - a brand new mattress, with no sign of a spring in sight !

We were told that on booking, we should ask for a "new" room. How can you ask for a "new" room, when you have never visited this hotel before ? All rooms should be of the same standard. After all - the price we paid for both nights was the same i.e. a 3 Star Hotel. When in fact, the first room we stayed in was not even equivalent to a 1 Star Hotel.

The Breakfast Room and food supplied was good. We found the Receptionists, both day and night, were extremely helpful and did everything possible to assist us.

We also liked the "personal" touch of having orange juice, sandwiches and snacks available in the Reception in the evening.

We would stay at this Hotel again, but only if we could insist on having the same room on the 7th Floor !

The loction of this hotel is perfect if you are traveling via train and want to stay close to the main station. Lots of restaurants and shopping nearby. They charge 3 euro per day for Internet which I do not like. The rooms are good size, but I would advise that you wear your sandals in the shower... Not the cleanest looking and very very small. Beds were hard with terrible pillows. Breakfast was wonderful! Great selection of deli meat and cheese, croissants, buns, yoghurt, fruit and amazing coffee! I would rate this hotel a 3 star for Europe but a 2 star for north american standards.

We choose this hotel because of its location within walking distance of the train station. It was fine: rooms were well appointed, bathroom very clean. I suspect it is interchangeable with the other dozen hotels on the same street. There was nothing at all to complain about, but also nothing to lift it out of the ordinary, except perhaps for the desk clerk, who was very helpful and had a good sense of humor.