From the outside, the building lacks charm, but the Excelsior’s interiors are quite pleasant, specially the common areas, with stylish and fashionable ambiences. It is located on a busy street and across from a train station, but we found rooms surprisingly not noisy at all. If in town for business or if you intend to use the very good Italian rail network for business or leisure trips, this could be a convenient option. Still, only 4 blocks away you will reach Via Independenza, which will lead you to most of Bologna’s attractions within a 15-minute walk. In high season hotels in Bologna can get expensive but the Excelsior in general maintains better rates, since there is less business flow. Rooms are less trendy than the hotel’s common areas but are very efficient and comfortable, and breakfast is deliciously catered by Eataly. A 5-minute walk will take you to Parco della Montagnola, where you can exercise or have pleasant strolls.