When travelling, I will always consult Tripadvisor first as to which hotel to stay. Therefore, to return the favour, in my numerous years of travelling I have since contributed more than 300 postings in all. And among these postings, many are of hotels in my favourite European country, Italy.

Since we needed a break from Turin to Varese, and we had wanted to visit Vercelli, which has a glamourous Basicilia just opposite its train station, we picked Novara since there don't seem to be a full fledged hotel in Vercelli. And Novara is merely 15 minutes away by train from Vercelli . And in Novara, this Hotel Cavour is rated number 1 on Tripadvisor. So, I took the plunge and book it for one night only.

By all fairness, this isn't a really bad hotel. It is definitely a modern and rather well maintained Business Hotel located directly opposite the Novara train station, superb location both for business and for leisure. And why did I gave it a lower than usual rating when I usually dish out a 4 or 5 star for all the Hotels that I have stayed at?

Upon check in, Ms Mimmo I guess, was very kind in granting us purportedly the biggest Suite in the Hotel, room 203 on the second floor. This room is gigantic for its size as well as a Jacuzzi bathroom. But I rejected it right away cos it is situated merely two rooms away from a busy road.

Then, I was shown to suite 301 but finally picked suite S1, on the 3rd floor. This is a much smaller suite but it is also the furthest away from the road, so its much quieter for jet lagged travellers like us. We slept very well with a comfy large bed but were woken up by bus noises at 5am.

But what we were most turned off with this sparsely furnished S1 suite were -
1. there is this faux Leather sofa (a bed, actually) in the sitting area. However, there wasn't any lights, coffee table nor TV and console right in front of it. So for two people travelling, why would anyone want to sit in that comfy sofa chair? To stare blindly at the wall right in front of you? Very strange indeed ... and very laughable, too.
2. that the only TV in the suite was merely 12-14 inches at the most. I thought they had since stopped producing such small TVs, when even my PC at home has a larger monitor ....
3. that the bathroom in S1 was so small .... but not complaining much here since I was offered room 203 with a huge bathroom in the first place
4. that the covered outdoor porch has got no chairs nor table to sit on and relax. They could easily turn that part of the wall into a balcony of sorts, with chairs and tables. By not doing so, this outdoor area is also totally wasted ....just like the sitting area with a sofa but no TV.
5. there is only one miserable dust bin for the whole suite?
6. safe not working, battery was low. Informed Reception but nothing was done ...
7. door to suite cannot be locked properly due to improper door latch, poor renovation skills.
8. very poor sound insulation from the corridor of the Hotel. Could hear people walking, opening and closing their doors.

Overall, you cannot help but to feel somewhat 'cheap' here. Hate to say this cos the Receptionist is really a very kind and soft spoken lady ... Felt that the Hotel has overcharged 160 euros for such a sparsely furnished suite and yet trying to cut ends by giving its guests less than what they deserved. Why not charge 180 or 200 euros and furnished the Suite in a nicer way? Guests would surely don't mind paying a little more for a more comfortable stay. Surprisingly, there is a coffee maker in the suite which we didn't bother to figure out how it works? Very puzzling, isn't it?

Breakfast at its basement level was also somewhat below par for a 4 star Hotel with little facilities like a fitness room and a sauna room. Frankly, after travelling to more than 40 or 50 Italian hotels to date, it still puzzles me what qualifies this Hotel as a 4 star property? Based on all my Italian experiences, it is at best a very good 3 star with a superb location, that's all.

Stay here for a night or two if you must, like I said before, it isn't a bad Hotel. And if you are not a light sleeper like me, ask for suite 203 if you can - very spacious with a Jacuzzi bath. As for light sleepers, remember to ask for rooms facing the back of the Hotel which is a carpark. Or if budget permits, the S1 suite is a definitely a quieter choice.

Always a good stay at the Cavour. Owner Mario Berti demolished a landmark structure in the center of Novara and rebuilt with a very chic feel. Large "suite" rooms, with modern decor make this a very comfortable place to stay in a rather remote town. I have not come across hotels of this nature with as "hip" a feel anywhere in Italy. The beds are very stiff but that is usually par for the course. The Cavour is without a restaurant but only minutes away from the partner hotel, the Italia. While it is in dire need of a renovation, the food is still top notch. The Cavour does have a good breakfast buffet and makes efforts to keep its cool image fresh.

Beat the high prices of staying in Milan. Short train ride just across the street
Buy why shop in Milan? Novarra's shops are elegant, chic, cheaper -- very
Italian. Vico Luongo-outlet is nearby too! Hotel is fabulous especially Mimo Mecca, Concierge/Manager. A must and well worth the visit. (Dine at Due Ladrone--perfect
risotto and charming owner.)

We stayed at the Cavour over Easter and were very impressed.We stayed again at the end of July and can only say what a super hotel it is.Great staff - Mimmo and Annalisa whom we dealt with could not be more helpful,lovely room with every mod con and very good breakfast service in contrast to many continental hotels.I'd have no hesitation in recommending the Cavour to anyone going to Novara.
Ps.Novara really is a hidden gem.