NH Trento

From the street, this contemporary hotel with a sleek glass exterior featuring green and orange panels fits in seamlessly with the surrounding buildings in its designer neighborhood. Inside, everything about the hotel feels contemporary and trendy. The lobby is a bright, open space with a welcoming feel. The center of the room features a freeform area rug with a few circular divans, two giant circular mirrors, and lighting that continuing the geometric pattern. Delicate, shimmering light fixtures swirl over the bar and reception desk. Circle and triangle tables create cozy seating area with stylish chairs and sofas in shades of brown, blue, and green, topped by gold crushed velvet throw pillows. Stairwells enclosed in glass offer a view over the neighborhood. 

The hotel is oriented toward business travelers and couples, with most rooms designed for two guests, though kids are welcome as well. A well-known chain name, modern amenities, and stylish surroundings make this hotel a solid pick for most visitors to Trento, though the lack of a pool and spa are a turn-off for some. 

This hotel is in Trento, an Italian city nestled between the Alps, northeast of Lake Garda. The building is on the southern side of town in the Le Albere complex, a planned community designed by the architect Renzo Piano. It is a peaceful area, with a large expanse of grass nearby where there’s play equipment, art, and a few clusters of trees, all next to the River Adige. The community is relatively new and not fully developed, but there are a few restaurants and shops. From the hotel, it is a five-minute walk to MUSE, a modern museum with hands-on exhibits involving science and natural history. The nearest bus stop is a four-minute walk away from the hotel. 

The center of Trento is Piazza Duomo -- a 15-minute walk from the hotel -- where visitors often view The Fountain of Neptune and grab a coffee or gelato at a cafe. The surrounding town is all within a five-minute walk of the Piazza and offers many shops, restaurants, museums, and historic sites to explore. Duomo di Trento, a gorgeous cathedral with a huge rose window, is a thirteen-minute walk -- or a six-minute drive -- from the hotel. It is a 20-minute drive to Buonconsiglio Castle, a 13th-century building with some of its original artwork, plus gorgeous views of the valley. Verona is a 70-minute drive from the hotel, and Verona Villafranca Airport is an hour away. 

Standard rooms are stylish and thoughtfully designed for efficient use of space. Wood floors with taupe and ivory tones are warm and relaxing, with clean lines and a fresh look. Double or twin beds have leather paneled headboards, with lighting and outlets built into the fabric. Across the rooms are gray-and-white striped accent walls that provide contrast and interest. The 40-inch flat-screen TVs are mounted here. Modern chairs offer pops of color, usually in green or blue. Built-in shelves keep the minibars, safes, and kettles tucked away, but within easy reach. Upgraded rooms have balconies -- some with partial views of the mountains, but most overlook the neighborhood. Junior Suites include entryways, dining areas, and larger sitting areas in the bedroom spaces. They also have large, rainfall showerheads and robes. Most rooms sleep two, while suites have space for three guests. 

Bathrooms are sleek and modern. Dark-brown tile on floors and walls contrasts the lighter palette in the room, and white fixtures brighten the space. Shower/tub combos have handheld showerheads and heated towel racks. Some rooms have walk-in showers. There are bidets, vessel sinks, hairdryers, and free toiletries. 

This modern hotel has limited extras, but offerings are of a good quality. The restaurant is a bright, contemporary spot, with floor-to-ceiling windows along the street side wall. Gleaming wood floors and soft gray and ivory tones add to the welcoming feel. The food is good, especially the beautifully presented free breakfast buffet. The a la carte lunch and dinner feature Italian specialties with some regional favorites on the menu. A chic lobby bar offers a lovely spot to relax, though drinks can be pricey. The tiny fitness room includes a few cardio machines and weight training gear, with little room left to move around the space. Parking is available in an underground garage, shared with other nearby buildings, but it requires a fee. Free Wi-Fi with a good connection is available throughout the hotel.