Hotel Bologna Pisa

Arrived late on a thursday evening to find my 'confirmed' booking was not. The hotel had no record of the booking by Thomas Cook (despite TC confirming the day before to me that they had emailed out change of flight details to late arrival: TC poor). However, the hotel did have a spare room (someone I guess who had not arrived which they put us in). The manager accepted the confirmation details and said he would sort it out with the booking agents in the morning. I expected to part with a credit card, but not at all, they were very good about it and displayed what we were to find is pretty typical Pisan behaviour - very laid back. You get a nice continental breakfast but they have no real restuarant arae, and what would be tthe point as there are so many great places to eat nearby.The rooms were quite and nicely decorated with a massive shower (in our room anyway). Don't bother trying to get a nice view in any hotel in Pisa - the narrow streets mean that you will pretty well only be looking at a wall 30 feet away anyway (not just this hotel). In this respect, the price difference between the mid and top hotels becomes noticable - why pay 50E a night more for what is really only the samePisa is a nice little city and the relaxing amble between cafes to sit, read and enjoy a nice Chianti were great. The only poor thing is in the main drag from the Tower were an army of black African wat-sellers contstantly bother you in the cafes. The owners must get a kick-back as they do nothing. In the end, the only thing I found that worked was to look up and shout --- at then as they approached. Other than that we had not a bad meal nor bad wine or coffee anywere - lovely city for a short break.

We stayed here last year, (2003) before it became part of Minotel. It was convenient, superbly decorated and very stylish. Hotel opens out straight onto a narrow street so be careful with young children. Bus to and from the airport stops a short distance down the Via Mazzini and it's a short walk to the Arno. I would recommend staying here if it's still as high a standard as 2003.