Hotel Metropolitan

Hotel Metropolitan Overview

You know what caught me off guard about Hotel Metropolitan? It’s tucked away on Via dell’Orso – this narrow medieval street that you’d probably walk right past if you weren’t looking for it. I mean, Bologna’s centro storico is full of these hidden gems, but finding a proper 4-star hotel on such a quiet lane was honestly refreshing. No tour buses rumbling past your window at 7 AM, which is more than I can say for places closer to Piazza Maggiore.

The building itself has that classic Bolognese thing going on – terracotta facade that’s been weathered just right, with those heavy wooden shutters that actually work (I tested them during the evening church bells from San Petronio). Inside though, they’ve done this really smart renovation where it feels contemporary without losing the old-world charm. The lobby’s got these beautiful exposed brick arches, and the staff – well, they’re the kind of people who’ll remember your name after one night and actually give you decent restaurant recommendations beyond the obvious tourist traps. Speaking of which, they steered me toward this incredible tortellini place on Via Pescherie Vecchie that I never would’ve found otherwise.

What really sold me on the Metropolitan was how it sits right in the sweet spot between Bologna’s university quarter and the main historical sites. You’re literally a three-minute walk from the Two Towers (though honestly, everyone climbs Asinelli and skips Garisenda), but you’re also close enough to Via del Pratello that you can stumble back from the bars without needing a taxi. The rooms are solid – not huge, but this is a medieval city center, so you’re not exactly expecting a Vegas suite. Mine had this great view over the internal courtyard, which meant it was properly quiet at night. The beds are actually comfortable (firm, European-style), and the bathrooms are newly renovated with decent water pressure, which… if you’ve stayed in older Italian hotels, you know that’s not always a given.

I’ll be honest – parking is a bit of a nightmare around here, but that’s Bologna for you. The hotel doesn’t have its own garage, though they can arrange something nearby if you’re driving. Most people just take the bus in from the airport or train station anyway. The breakfast is pretty standard Continental fare, nothing revolutionary, but they do proper espresso and the pastries are from a local bakery. What I really appreciated was how the place never felt touristy despite being well-located – you’d see as many Italian business travelers as international visitors, which always feels like a good sign to me.

With an 8.4 rating, the Metropolitan sits in that reliable sweet spot where you’re getting genuine value without breaking the bank. It’s the kind of place where everything just works as it should, the location gives you real access to Bologna’s best bits, and you end up recommending it to friends because it felt like a discovery rather than just another hotel booking.

Hotel Metropolitan Accommodations

Reviews of Hotel Metropolitan

• Comfortable stay with amazing staff – Jo from United Kingdom – 1 July 2025 (8/10)

  The staff!
  Roof top bar and options at breakfast.

• Great location but way overpriced – Hanna from Turkey – 23 June 2025 (8/10)

  What could be improved: i

• Apartments are not close to the hotel! – Lisa from United States – 18 June 2025 (8/10)

  The apartment that we staying in was modern and very clean. The beds were comfortable and the apartment was a good size space for our family of four.
  
  What could be improved: We stayed in a Hotel Metropolitan apartment. It was made very clear when we booked that the apartments were 200 meters away, and not in the actual hotel. I assumed that meant that the apartments were across the street, or at least on the same street as the hotel. As it turned out, the apartments were about three blocks away, on a totally different street. In order to enjoy the amenities of the hotel (such as the roof top bar), we had to walk three blocks back to the hotel.

• Well located and friendly staff – Venu from United Kingdom – 12 June 2025 (9/10)

  Well located and friendly staff.

• Great location – Yardic from United Kingdom – 12 June 2025 (9/10)

  Breakfast was amazing and beautifully displayed.
  Friendly and helpful staff.
  Quirky layout of room but everything worked well and was comfortable.

• Superb – Elizabeth from United Kingdom – 8 June 2025 (9/10)

  The best location in Bologna. Hotel was lovely. AMAZING bathroom.
  
  What could be improved: Better lighting needing for putting on make-up

• Mum & I had a wonderful stay in beautiful Bologna only enhanced by the luxury of the Metropolitan ! – Peter from United Kingdom – 19 May 2025 (9/10)

  Great location, excellent room with a wonderful little private terrace, breakfast was great with very attentive staff and the roof terrace was a wonderful bonus which turned into a great little bar at night time.
  
  Bologna itself was an amazing city to visit.
  
  What could be improved: Only negative was that the shower was over the bath.

• Very good – Frazer from United Kingdom – 9 May 2025 (8/10)

  Breakfast choice was extensive. Location of the hotel was perfect for main points of interest. Reception staff super helpful.

• Very good – Olga from Poland – 15 April 2025 (8/10)

  We had a great stay at Met Apartments! The rooftop bar exclusively for residents was a highlight—perfect for relaxing with a drink and enjoying the view. The service throughout our stay was excellent, and the sommelier really stood out with fantastic wine recommendations. The towels and bathrobes were high quality, and the beds were super comfortable. The staff was incredibly helpful and even gave us great local food recommendations.
  
  What could be improved: The only downside for us was the room design—it was very minimal and all white, which made it feel a bit too much like a hospital. The internet connection was quite poor during our stay, also it was impossible to stream anything from our own devices to the TV. This was a bit disappointing, especially in the evenings when we wanted to relax with a movie.
  
  But overall, we had a wonderful experience and would definitely come back!

• Very nice except for the air not working – Robyn from United States – 6 April 2025 (8/10)

  Nice rooms but it was hot and air conditioner wasn’t working great and walls were thin. But besides that it was very nice!

Surroundings

Facilities