

Hotel University Overview
First Impressions
Walking up to Hotel University on Via Mentana, you immediately get that feeling you’re staying somewhere locals actually know about. It’s this solid three-star property that sits right in the heart of Bologna — and I mean really in the heart of things, not just claiming to be central like so many places do. The building has that classic Italian charm without trying too hard, you know? Nothing flashy, but there’s something reassuring about the whole setup that makes you think they’ve been doing this hospitality thing for a while.
Location That Actually Matters
Here’s what I love about this spot — you’re literally steps away from everything that makes Bologna worth visiting. The university district is right there (hence the name, obviously), and you can walk to the main piazzas without breaking a sweat. What really struck me is how couples seem to absolutely adore this location — apparently they rate it 9.6 out of 10, which honestly makes total sense when you’re wandering these medieval streets hand in hand. The whole area has this authentic university town vibe where you’ll find actual Bolognese people going about their daily lives, not just tourist traps.
The Room Experience
The room I stayed in was exactly what you’d expect from a well-run three-star — clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully arranged without any unnecessary frills. Nothing revolutionary happening here, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want after a long day of exploring. The beds are properly comfortable (trust me, I’m picky about this), and there’s enough space to spread out your stuff without feeling cramped. What I appreciated most was how quiet everything was at night, despite being so centrally located — apparently they know how to soundproof properly.
Breakfast Worth Getting Up For
Breakfast here actually surprised me in the best way possible. They’ve got this buffet setup that covers all the bases — continental options if you’re keeping it simple, but also proper Italian breakfast items that feel authentic rather than touristy. I mean, when you’re in Bologna, you want to start your day with something that tastes like you’re actually in Italy, right? The quality is consistently good, and there’s enough variety that you won’t get bored if you’re staying multiple nights. Plus, the timing works well — you can fuel up properly before heading out to explore those famous porticoes.
Why Guests Love It
What really sets this place apart is how it nails the fundamentals without any pretense. The 8.5 rating speaks for itself — people leave here satisfied because their expectations were met and often exceeded in small, meaningful ways. There’s parking available if you’re driving (which is honestly a godsend in Bologna’s historic center), and the staff seems to genuinely care about making sure you have what you need. It’s the kind of place where everything just works smoothly, leaving you free to focus on enjoying the city rather than dealing with hotel hassles.
Hotel University Accommodations
| Accommodation | Details | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|
| Triple Room | 1 single bed, 1 large double bed and 3 single beds for Max persons: 3 | $169 |


Reviews of Hotel University
Very good value for money, nice location and helpful staff. – Yara from Belgium – 3 July 2025 (9/10)
The room for three persons had enough space, it was very clean and quiet, air conditioning functioning perfectly, which was a big help during the time we were in Bologna. There are several nice restaurants nearby and the city centre, where major touristic points are located, is only a couple of minutes away. The staff was kind and helpful, called our taxi to the airport and gave restaurants recommendations.
What could be improved: Nothing.Excellent – Sorin from Romania – 29 June 2025 (10/10)
Location
What could be improved: –Good value hotel in central location – Jennifer from United States – 23 June 2025 (9/10)
Comfortable one night stay before flight home. We had a late flight and staff stored our bags and allowed us to relax on the couches in lounge. Air con worked well and the bed was comfortable. Bathroom is a bit outdated but functional. Breakfast was offered (be sure to clarify if included in your reservation) and they had gluten free options too. Good location.
What could be improved: A bit dated but good value. A little noisy outside at night but we use a white noise app on our phone that helps blocks any disturbances of sleep.Superb – Timothy from United Kingdom – 13 June 2025 (9/10)
It's a family-owned hotel, so it's different, in good ways. Strongly recommended if you want to stay somewhere original and reliable.
Nice hotel near the heart of Bologna – Corina from Romania – 5 May 2025 (10/10)
Located near the center of Bologna, modern and clean room, very comfortable bed. Air conditioning, big windows with street view and very friendly stuff.
Superb – Hatzinikolidakis from Greece – 30 April 2025 (9/10)
Super comfy and really clean room right in the heart of Bologna! The breakfast was great too
Nice comfortable room with helpful staff. Good value for money. – Carolyn from Australia – 29 April 2025 (9/10)
The location was a short distance from Piazza Maggiore and the area is surrounded by restaurants. The room was a good size and the staff were friendly and helpful.
What could be improved: Nothing.When in Bologna, always here… – Magali from Germany – 23 April 2025 (10/10)
This is the second time we visit the hotel. The location is great and the staff is helpful and friendly. Clean room.
Good breakfast for the price.Overall good experience! – George from Mexico – 15 April 2025 (8/10)
Overall a good hotel. Excellent staff and amazing location. One problem was the bed sheets didn’t fit the bed so they tore off over and over throughout the night, thus making it restless
Superb – Κωνσταντίνος from Greece – 28 March 2025 (9/10)
Excellent location, in the old city center.
It was very clean, and the stuff was very kind. The price was very high
Surroundings
What’s nearby:
- Porta Govese: 300 m
- Casa Graziani: 100 m
- Bologna Towers: 400 m
- Palazzo Grassi: 200 m
- Torre Incoronata: 400 m
- Giardino del Guasto: 250 m
- La Macchina del Tempo: 350 m
- Casa Torre Guidonzaghi: 350 m
- Cerchia dei Terresotti: 300 m
- Palazzo Malvezzi de’ Medici: 350 m
Restaurants & cafes:
- Restaurant La Rosa: 40 m
- Restaurant Bombocrep: 50 m
- Restaurant Jukebox Café: 30 m
Top attractions:
- MAMbo: 1.2 km
- Palazzo Fava: 550 m
- Piazza Maggiore: 700 m
- Della Chiusa Park: 7 km
- Piazza del Nettuno: 750 m
- Cemetery La Certosa: 3.9 km
- Giardini Margherita: 2 km
- Pinacoteca Nazionale: 450 m
- Museum for the Memory of Ustica: 2.2 km
Public transport:
- Train Bologna AV: 1.6 km
- Train Bologna Centrale Railway station: 1.3 km
Closest airports:
- Forlì Airport: 77 km
- Florence Airport: 96 km
- Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport: 7 km
Facilities
Bedroom:
- Wardrobe or closet
- Alarm clock
Kitchen:
- Electric kettle
Bathroom:
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bidet
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
- Shower
Living Area:
- Desk
Food & Drink:
- Coffee house on site
- Wine/champagne Additional charge
- Breakfast in the room
- Bar
- Minibar
- Tea/Coffee maker
Accessibility:
- Upper floors accessible by elevator
Room Amenities:
- Socket near the bed
- Clothes rack
Languages spoken:
- English
- French
- Italian
Cleaning services:
- Daily housekeeping
- Ironing service Additional charge
- Laundry Additional charge
Safety & security:
- Fire extinguishers
- CCTV outside property
- CCTV in common areas
- Smoke alarms
- Security alarm
- Safety deposit box
Media & Technology:
- Flat-screen TV
- Cable channels
- Satellite channels
- Telephone
- TV
- Pay-per-view channels
Reception services:
- Invoice provided
- Concierge service
- Luggage storage
- Currency exchange
- Express check-in/check-out
- 24-hour front desk
Business facilities:
- Fax/photocopying Additional charge
Great for your stay:
- Private bathroom
- Parking
- Free WiFi
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Room service
- Pets allowed
- Non-smoking rooms
- Shower
- Minibar
Parking Private parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is needed) and costs € 20 per day.:
- Parking garage
Other for your stay:
- Shared lounge/T V area
- Hypoallergenic
- Air conditioning
- Non-smoking throughout
- Wake-up service
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Tile/marble floor
- Heating
- Lift
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wake up service/Alarm clock
- Room service


House Rules at Hotel University
Pets:
- Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.
Groups:
- When booking more than 3 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.
Check-in:
- From 14:00 to 00:30
- Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in
Check-out:
- From 01:00 to 11:00
Cancellation/prepayment:
- Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please check what conditions may apply to each option when making your selection.
Guest reviews
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Location:
Free WiFi:
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