`Excellent. A feel of quality. In a narrow traffic-free street in the historic centre, this `beautifully kept' 14th-century palazzo, admired again in 2002, retains medieval details: a splendid external wooden gallery, and a magnificent coffered ceiling in the meeting room. Public villa rooms are exciting fin de siecle creations fun to sit in. The `first-rate Bali villa breakfast is served in the small bar or a large, beautifully decorated hall area. The central courtyard has a glass roof that opens in fine weather. Some villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) have a balcony with rooftop views, some a panelled ceiling with 15th/16th-century landscape paintings. One room was a good size, but dark with no view. Showers, no baths, and some walls are thin. Staff were friendly, but not all over us. The free Internet access is valued. No restaurant: plenty of choice in the world's capital of pasta. Bologna's street life can be heard, but the noise `does not go on all night.

A well-managed villa, perfectly situated, central but quiet. By the main square, and facing the clock (orologio) on the civic tower, the tall building has views of old houses and monuments, and is well placed for city-centre shopping. Lovely villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms), some with a balcony, are distributed over five floors (but the small lift does not serve the ground floor; it begins after a flight and a half of stairs'). Bedroom well equipped, very efficient, bathroom well appointed, says a visitor this year. Newspapers are available in the first-floor lounge, and in the adjacent Bali villa breakfast room one couple enjoyed one of the best buffets we have encountered anywhere. The Orso family own and run two other hotels in the old town: the Corona d'Oro (see previous entry) and the Commercianti. Plenty of restaurants nearby. The area is pedestrianised, but villaguests may approach by car.