Art Hotel Novecento

One of five properties in the Bologna Art Hotels brand, the Novecento makes some effort to infuse a creative spirit throughout the hotel, inspired by the Viennese Secession movement. Much of the "art" can be seen on the approach and the entry way, including a bronze statue, cascading wall fountain, and a Chihuly-esque glass sculpture. Step past reception and the bright, quirky spirit fizzles somewhat; apart from a few colorful original paintings and prints, the lounge fades into standard beige and black decor. The only serious buzz comes at breakfast, when guests, mostly couples from 40 to 70, gather here for the continental buffet. A few tables out front offer nice views of the piazza, but as its home to a large police station, little happens here besides parking. 

It’s hard to do better than Novecento in terms of location in Bologna. Sitting on the south end of the elongated Piazza Galileo, it’s a mere three-minute walk from the city’s main square, Piazza Maggiore and its forever unfinished Duomo. Thanks to the compact nature of Bologna’s medieval core, pretty much all major sights are within walking distance. For those that want to rest their feet, a decent bus system threads through Bologna, and several lines stop within a few short blocks of Novecento. But ultimately, it's easiest to get around on foot. From the main train station, Bologna Centrale, to the hotel it’s a 20-minute walk, but that can be a bit of a haul with bags. The airport is remarkably close to Bologna’s city center, only 25 minutes by car, and buses run back and forth several times an hour, taking 37 minutes.   

• Three-minute walk to Teatro Anatomico
• Five-minute walk to Archaeological Museum
• Eight-minute walk to Museum of the History of Bologna
• Nine-minute walk to Asinelli Tower
• 10-minute walk to Basilica di Santo Stefano 

As with public spaces, guest rooms at the Novecento supposedly draw inspiration from the Viennese Secessionist art movement. But apart from a few bright splashes of red, yellow, orange, and peach plus some sunny photographic prints, there's not much of an art theme present. Still, they're outfitted with air-conditioning, safes, minibars, and electric kettles with tea/coffee supplies, and flat-screen TVs. Butterscotch-yellow bathrooms don't offer much room, although some layouts are a bit roomier and some have larger walk-in showers or have a shower/tub combo along with the standard bidets, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, bathrobes, and C.O. Bigelow products (a rare brand in Europe).Upgrade to a Deluxe or Suite, and the design may change significantly, becoming lighter, even whitewashed, and shaped by wooden ceiling beams. One room, a Deluxe, has a private balcony overlooking the Piazza Galileo, a view that can also be spotted through windows in all front-facing rooms. Wi-Fi is free in all rooms, but like the design, varies in strength from room to room. 

Novecento's biggest selling points are its location and artsy atmosphere, and features are a distant third, with few extra perks. There's no bar or restaurant. The hotel does provide a free continental breakfast buffet with the standard fare. There's no gym either, although bike rentals (fee) are on offer and provide a good way to get into the rhythm of the city. The business center is petite and consists of two computers and a printer. For additional fees, it's possible to arrange airport shuttles, private parking, city tours, and laundry service. Small pets are welcome with no extra charge, and a pet bed and food bowl is available at reception. Wi-Fi is free throughout but varies in strength.