Hotel Al Cappello Rosso, Bologna

About Hotel Al Cappello Rosso

Only 50m away from the majestic Piazza Maggiore lies one of Bologna's oldest hotels. Dating back over 600 years, Hotel Al Cappello Rosso has been welcoming the city's travelers since the 14th century.

The name of the hotel comes from the Cardinal Albornoz who gave the hotel the unusual mark in the shape of a hat of a cardinal.

Although steeped in history, the Hotel Al Cappello Rosso benefits from smart contemporary furnishings injected with bursts of red to reflect its origins.

From the hotel, wander to the remarkable 13th century San Petronio, with its asymmetrical exterior. Originally intended to be larger than Rome's San Pietro, it was scaled down at the last minute when Church authorities diverted funds to the nearby Palazzo Archiginnasio.

Also, take advantage of the hotel's free bicycle hire and roam through porticoed streets between the Medieval brick buildings. Ride past the famous Fontana di Nettuno (1566) designed by Tommaso Laureti and decorated with magnificent bronze figures by Giambologna.

Hotel Al Cappello Rosso combines stylish, modern comforts with individually decorated bedrooms in a central location.

Accommodation:

Rooms with bath or shower, television, minibar, hairdryer, safety box, free internet connection

Supplements (from):

Junior Suite £34. Double for Sole Use £11. Half Board £33. Midweek (Mon-Thu) £23. During Fair Dates £137.

Facilities:

• Breakfast room
• Reading rooms
• Lift
• Nearby garage (payable locally approx. 25 Euros per day)
• Nearby car park (payable locally approx. 30 Euros per day)

Information:

The hotel has 33 air-conditioned rooms. Transfer time from Bologna airport: 20 mins. Child prices apply to ages 2-11 years. Official Rating 4 star.

About Bologna

Bologna is one of the foremost gastronomic cities of Italy, fondly known as La Grassa (the fat). The only problem you are likely to have here is dividing your time between the sights and the table. Besides Bolognese sauce, the city is famous for its tortellini and tagliatelle, reputedly invented for the wedding of Lucrezia Borgia. There is much to see including Europe's oldest university, a superb Gothic cathedral, medieval churches and two great leaning towers. However, in the arcaded streets and piazzas you will find plenty to tempt you from the sightseeing path - restaurants, cafés and bars galore plus a crowd of inviting shops, not to mention the opera, theatre and nightspots.