Midrange accomodations in Bologna

Go to Google Maps and pull up the city map for Bologna. Click on the hotel block at the top of the page.

Little Icons will pop up on the map with the $ amount of the room. Pick those in your price range and read all about the property. You can get into their website and also read travelers' recommendations and opinions of that property.

I have never been dissatisfied with my room by using this method. Or, you could also go to Booking.com.

I also do the Google map thing when looking for a hotel in a specific location, with good results.

In this case the area of “the center” is so large you will get way too many options from the map. But Bologna is a wonderful city for walking, with the porticos making for pleasant shaded walking separated from traffic. So many locations are good.

We like the area between the train station and Piazza Maggiore, the main square, for location, mainly because we have found apartments we like in that area. But I have identified hotels at either end of that axis, one very close to the train station and one very close to the main piazza, should we ever want a hotel for a shorter stay in Bologna. So I will mention those, although we have no personal experience (yet).

Close to the train station: Hotel Excelsior gets a high rating of 8.6 on Booking.com. It is right across from the main entrance into the station on Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro. It is a pleasant walk of one mile straight down Via dell’Indipendza straight into Piazza Maggiore. The lower end of this street nearer the piazza, is a traffic-free pedestrian zone on weekends; at other times it is easy walking through the porticoes lined with shops.

https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/places/squares-streets-monuments/via-indipendenza-2

Right near Piazza Maggiore, Art Hotel Orologico looks to be a nice choice, with moderate prices. I will also mention Hotel Roma in the same area; friends of ours stayed there and really liked that.

I have noticed that hotel and apartment prices in Bologna vary widely depending on date. Prices can go up dramatically on weekends or during events. October seems to be a busy time, but early booking helps.

I stayed at Hotel Brun in April. Really nice place and so well located to Piazza Maggiore. Staff was a bit reserved in my opinion. I can't say if it would be in your price range without knowing details.

Don't be shocked if you see higher prices in October because Bologna does a lot of trade fairs and rooms are at a premium.

Oh, no. We just decided to move our planned trip to Italy from spring to fall, and that means Bologna for two nights in October.

Bologna has a dedicated convention center with hotels that is outside the ''çentro''', north of the train station, and a great many of the people who are coming for business either stay near there or at the large hotels in the centro rather than b&bs. So if you look at b&bs not near the train station area or not on or near the via dell' Indipendenza, you will probably find many lodgings whose prices are consistent every month. Bologna's ''çentro'' is very compact so unless you have mobility issues you will be well positioned anywhere. About the only corner of town I would avoid is the University neighborhood, which is crowded and can turn raucous, and restaurants vary wildly in quality.

Thank you!

Thanks everyone. Very helpful ideas

I stayed at Hotel Cavour, a few blocks from the main piazza and really enjoyed it. Two years ago I paid 188€. It’s maybe six blocks from the train station, very walkable, and across the street is an excellent little restaurant called Franco Rossi. One of the best meals I had in Italy. You will love Bologna!