This 3 * albergo is part of a former monastry from the 16th century right in the old town centre of Varese adjacent to the very nice pedestrain shopping zone. It is family run and sometimes you will be welcomed by Granddad, who does only speak Italian, but by using hands and feet, you'll get along. Rooms are renovated, very clean, offer TV, mini bar, hairdryer and bidet. My room (# 105) was very spacious, others were rather tiny. The host family runs a very nice in-house ristorante offering delicious specialties from Lombardy, either in the main dining room, on the street in front of the house or in a winter garden. A - for Italian standards - good breakfast buffet including all you can drink Cappuchino or Latte Macchiato is included in the room rate. A word of warning: those with a light sleep - avoid this hotel, because almost every room faces a road busy 24/7. All the others: go there - it is more than sufficient and unexpensive. Reservations: try calling them in the evening, send them a fax or use their website www.albergobolgna.com, but don't expect a written confirmation - after all, it's Italy! ;-)