As part of a weekend in Italy, I stayed at the AC Hotel in Bologna. A stay without any big surprise.
Booking
I booked this hotel a few weeks before my arrival. Bologna had another Marriott hotel, a Sheraton, near the airport, but it recently left the group. That leaves only one option, the AC Marriott, which I booked.
My business has a corporate rate that I use, which is more or less the same as the public rate but allows for all the flexibility. The rate does not include breakfast.
Arrival
Two days before my arrival, I receive a notification that I can check-in, which I do.
On the day of my arrival, I do not notice any upgrades in the app until I arrive at the property.
I arrive at the hotel by cab from the airport. The property is located a little away from the center, in a residential area near the train station.
The hotel being full, the receptionist told us that she could only upgrade us to a Standard Plus room, which is the same size as a standard room but with bathrobes and espresso machine.
In AC hotels, the Platinum benefits are rather limited: points, late check-out but no breakfast. Instead, a restaurant credit of 8 € per person per day is applied.
Room
The room was located on the 6th floor of the property, far from the elevator (and fortunately).
It is quite small, but up to the standards of AC hotels.
Right at the entrance is the bathroom. Italian addition: the bidet, but for the rest we are at AC: glass basin, famous soap in the shape of golf ball, and quality toiletries.
Just before the room are the courtesy tray and the mini-bar, courtesy tray equipped with an Italian espresso machine of rather good quality.
The room is rather spartan… But there is at least a desk to work on! The bed is rather comfortable, even if I’m not a fan of the Italian bedding, which is very hard and with little fluff.
And the video to finish.
Hotel facilities
The hotel has a small fitness room, located on the top floor of the property.
This one offers a breathtaking view of the city, but its lack of equipment is prohibitive for aficionados.
No spa or pool.
Catering
The hotel has a bar and a restaurant located on the first floor of the property, right next to the reception.
Breakfast service
Breakfast is served on weekends between 7am and 11am, for a price of 15€ per person.
The offer is rather interesting, even if it does not equal that of the more high-end properties.
The offer of hot and cold drinks is available in self-service, the coffee is Nespresso brand. Fresh juices are available.
The hot offer is rather limited, with tortillas and bacon on the buffet, but it is possible to order eggs in addition and without extra charge.
The cold offer is short but qualitative. We only regret the presence of Serrano Ham instead of Parma Ham, less than 70km from the latter…
Dinner service
For our second evening, we chose to have dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, given our early departure for Parma.
The menu is quite short, but rather qualitative.
The service is quite good, and we take some fruits to taste in our room. Perfect!
Departure
Check-out formalities were straightforward, but note that the property does not (yet?) offer mobile check-out from the Marriott Bonvoy app.
Bottom line
A good stay, without more, but where all the basics of the hotel business are respected and it is unfortunately less and less the case…