Turin has always been well stocked with hotels, however, until recently, accommodation was either rather functional and business-orientated or rather dreary. Nowadays, Turin‘s hoteliers are fully conversed in the style and comfort to which the international tourist has become accustomed. The hip or designer hotel fashion that arrived rather belatedly in Italy finds a dialect here, and 2005 is should see the opening of the city’s first five-star hotel. Due to Turin’s prominence as a business centre the better hotels are often busy so book as far in advance as you can. The tourist office on piazza Castello offers a free hotel reservation service if you book within 48 hours of your arrival. Many hotels offer discounts for staying the weekend or a minimum number of nights (T 011 4407032, 0930-1900, reshotel@turismotorino.org). Some discounts are also available to holders of the Torino Card but you won’t necessarily be able to take advantage of this until you are in Turin and have the card. The other thing worth noting is that, save for in the top-class hotels where you will be treated to a full smorgasbord of English and continental choice, breakfast is not big in Italy, neither in the size nor in the style of the portions. As most Italians believe in taking their breakfast (at most a brioche and a cappuccino) on the run, it is far better to identify a favourite café near your hotel and enjoy your coffee and croissant local-style, rather than sit suffering the lugubrious service and produce in your hotel in a rather anodine non-Italian environment. If you are only in Turin for the weekend then the best areas to stay in, both for hotel architecture and proximity to the main sights and life of the city, are in the southeast and northwest within walking distance of piazza Castello. The hotels along Corso Vittorio Emanuele are also well-placed and pretty, if a little noisy when facing the street. CentralF San Carlo, piazza San Carlo 197, T 011 5627846. restaurant, illuminated by a glass atrium. Always nice for a late night drink in the piano bar. A Grand Hotel Sitea, via Carlo Alberto 35, T 011 5170171, F 011 548090, http://www.thi.it">http://www.thi.it The Sitea is a refined and elegant luxury hotel located in an 18th-century palazzo with an understated decor that oozes the manners and charm of times gone by. Besides the 118 spacious and warm rooms there is a bar resembling a gentleman's club and a fine and renowned restaurant, the Carignano, specializing in local dishes. A Jolly Hotel Ligure, piazza Carlo Felice 85, T 011 55641, F 011 535438, http://www.jollyhotels.it">http://www.jollyhotels.it Located in a fine 19th-century town house, this hotel is central, a short walk from Porta Nuova station and has many rooms overlooking the central, but sometimes less than salubrious, park in piazza Carlo Felice. Inside however, the rooms have been nicely refurbished and there is also a decent bar and restaurant. A Royal, C.so Regina Margherita 249, T 011 4376777, F 011 4276393, http://www.hotelroyal.it Stuck out by the northern ring road, this hotel is geared principally towards the business traveller and is often used for conferences. Comfortable, modern and not particularly special, it is a useful fall-back if nothing central is available. A Turin Palace Hotel, via Sacchi 8, T 011 5625511, F 011 5612187, http://www.thi.it">http://www.thi.it The traditional choice for visiting celebrities, you might even be able to sleep on the same sheets as Madonna here. Failing that, the other 123 rooms of this converted 19th-century palazzo will still satisfy any material girl. There is also a respected restaurant, the Vigna Reale, which is equally expert in the preparation of local specialities and international dishes. As part of the Turin Hotels International Group, guests should also be able to obtain specials deals in certain restaurants such as Ristorante del Cambio, B Concord, via Lagrange 47, T 011 5176756, F 011 5176305, http://www.hotelconcord.com A comfortable and quiet business hotel in plum centre with 139 well-appointed and airy rooms, a reasonable restaurant, Le Lanterne, and good business facilities. B Jolly Hotel Ambasciatori, C.so Vittorio Emanuele II 104, T 011 5752, F 011 544978, http://www.jollyhotels.it">http://www.jollyhotels.it A little away from the action, this rather bland hotel is more business focused but a comfortable option if needs be. C Holiday Inn Turin City Centre, via Assietta 3, T 011 5167111, F 011 5167699, http://www.holiday-inn.com Kitted out like Holiday Inns around the world, so nothing spectacular, with every modern comfort catered for in effortless mediocre style. C Roma & Rocca Cavour, piazza Carlo Felice 60, T 011 5612772. A grand 19th-century town house building with 93 rooms, located opposite the station. Convenient, comfortable and with nice views in the front rooms of the park below. Northeast and Borgo PoA Villa Sassi, strada Traforo del Pino 47, T 011 8980556, F 011 8980095, http://www.villasassi.com The 17th-century Villa Sassi is reputed to have been the former suburban refuge of King Victor Amadeus II, subsequently belonging to a sequence of noble torinese families before going the way of many such residences. Its position in a piece of parkland at the foot of the hill, on which the Superga basilica stands,makes it a quiet and agreeable alternative to the rumpus of the city. C Best Western Genova & Stazione, via Sacchi 14, T 011 5629400, http://www.bestwestern.com Fifty-nine well-furnished and comfortable rooms set in an elegant turn of the century palazzo, conveniently situated next to Porta Nuova station. C Best Western Luxor, C.so Stati Uniti 7, T 011 5620777, F 011 5628324, http://www.hoteluxor.it Eight floors of spacious modern rooms, some of which have jacuzzis, located near to Porta Nuova station. C Best Western Piemontese, via Berthollet, T 011 6698101, F 011 6690571, http://www.hotelpiemontese.it The least remarkable of Best Western's Turin outposts although the smaller size, just 37 rooms, provides for a more personal touch. There is no restaurant although the hotel does offer breakfast. C Chelsea, via XX Settembre 79/e, T 011 4360100, F 011 4363141, http://www.hotelchelsea.it One of Turin's rare family run hotels with 15 simple but comfortable rooms run with a personal homely attitude. The hotel also boasts an excellent restaurant, La Campana, run by the same family. C Conte di Biancamano, C.so Vittorio Emmanuele II 73, T 011 5623281, F 011 5623789 http://www.venere.com/it/torino/biancamano The bright stuccoed, frescoed and chandeliered interior of the foyer should not deceive potential guests as the modern rooms above are comparatively disappointing. The small size, just 25 rooms, does make this an intimate choice. There is no restaurant. C Crimea, via Mentana 3, T 011 6604700, F 011 6604912, http://www.hotelcrimea.it South of the centre but within easy each by public transport of all the action, the Crimea is a modern hotel in a quiet residential district with 49 rooms, a neon-lit bar and conference facilities. Breakfast only. C Dogana Vecchia, via Corte d'Appello 4, T 011 4366752, F 011 4367194 . Located in a former 17th-century customs house, this is one of the most atmospheric among Turin's hotels. It is small and has just 50 wood-pannelled rooms full of baroque furniture and furnishings. It is rumoured that Mozart and Verdi stayed here, but that was a long time ago… C Liberty, via Pietro Micca 15, T 011 5628801, F 011 5622807, http://www.hotelliberty-torino.it On a road of fine art nouveau buildings, this palazzo is a fine example of liberty design. The 35 rooms are on the third floor and are furnished in tune with the architecture, with carpets on an original parquet floor. The rarefied atmosphere is said to attract an artsy, film-world clientele. C Victoria, via Nino Costa 4, T 011 5611909, F 011 5611806 reservation@hotelvictoria-torino.com As the name suggests, this hotel is run by an anglophile and is kitted out in would-be Victorian that works in parts. The building itself actually dates from the1960s. All 106 of the rooms are decorated individually with English furnishings and touches, as seen through the Italian eye. D Amedeus e Teatro, via Principe Amedeo 41/2, T 011 8174951. Right in the heart of bohemian via Po and university-land, this small hotel of 26 rooms has a charming, slightly Parisian atmosphere to match. It has no restaurant but breakfast is offered. D Best Western Genio, C.so Vittorio Emanuele II 47/b, T 011 6505771, F 011 6508264, http://www.hotelgenio.it Chain-style modern rooms in a converted town house above the porticoes on Turin's main east-west drag. The rooms facing the street are rather noisy. E Des Artistes, via Principe Amedeo 21/d, T 011 8124416. The name alone attracts would-be artists and the atmosphere here both in and around the hotel does not deceive or disappoint. Quiet and comfortable, this is one of Turin's best value and evocative addresses. F Casamarga bed & breakfast, via Bava 1/bis, T 011 883892. A little slice of family life near the river and in prime studentland. Fun, noisy and cheap. Le LangheThere is really no excuse for not staying in an agriturismo amid such lovely countryside, and the little villages between the main wine towns offer many accommodation options visible from the road. Accommodation in Albagets very booked up during the festival season in October. AlbaE La Meridiana, localita Altavilla 9, T 0173 440112, no credit cards. A little outside town but therefore amid the rolling green hills. Six rooms in a liberty-style casa padronale. Very comfortable and clean with style and atmosphere. F Leon d’Oro, piazza Marconi 2, T 0173 441901, F 0173 441901. Modern, clean yet an unspectacular option, centrally placed with 15 simple rooms, some with ensuite bath or shower. F Rovej, via Silvio Pellico 18, T 0173 284306. A small and friendly guesthouse but with rather plain furnishings. Clean and functional. The following agriturismos offer wine-tastings on site: D Erbaluna, borgata Pozzo 43, T 0173 50800. En route from Alba to La Morra, this is a beautifully restored farmhouse with spacious, well-appointed rooms and period furniture in an isolated setting. D Villa la Favorita, localia Altavilla 12/13, T 01733 64746, all cards accepted. About a mile from Alba, this is a turn of the century building, beautifully restored, clean and surrounded by vineyards with four double rooms. BaroloC Hotel Barolo, via Lomondo 2, T 0173 55191, F 0173 560026 http://www.hotelbarolo.it Renowned yet stiff and establishment, known both for its accommodation and food. E Fenocchio, via Alba 79, T 0173 560016. In Barolo, a disappointingly modern agriturismo offering wine- tastings in a fine rural setting in the heart of the region. AstiRooms should be booked well in advance for the Palio horserace in September but otherwise finding accommodation is not a problem in Asti. C Reale, piazza Alfieri 6, T 0141 530240, F 0141 34357, most cards accepted. Twenty-three rooms of fairly bland comfort but right in the centre of town. D La Casa in Collina, localita Sant’Antonio 30, T 0141 822827, F 0141 823543. By far the best option, especially if you have a car. Beautifuly positioned on the hillside out of town and with six rooms offering romantic, spacious comfort. E Cavour, piazza Marconi, T 0141 530222. A small modern and comfortable hotel and a decent cheap option. E Genova, C.so Alessandria 26, T 0141 593197. Small, bright and reasonably homely hotel. SusaC Napoleon, via Mazzini 44, T 0122 622855. F 0122 31900. Hardly imperial but clean, comfortable, friendly and central. D Il Mulino, localita Giordani 52, T 0122 238132. F 0122 38132. Agriturismo charm in a rambling and hospitable tumbling country farmhouse. SaluzzoD Le Camelie, via Collina 4, T 0175 85422. An agriturismo set amid lush, forested slopes within view of the Castello di Manta. Every effort should be made to stay here. E Luna, via Martiri della Liberazione 10, T 0175 43707. A rustic take on modern furnishings situated within the medieval centre. E Persico, vicolo Mercati, T 0175 41213. A small homely establishment tucked down a little medieval alleyway. The Val d’AostaAostaAccommodation in Aosta is often expensive and fully booked as there is rarely a low season. D La Belle Epoque, via d’Avise 18, T 0165 262276. Comprising a hotel and pizzeria, rooms here are modern, clean and comfortable if a little overpriced. E Mochettaz, C.so Ivrea 107, T 0165 43706. Similarly functional and clean. F La Ferme, regione Chabloz 18, T 0165 551647. An agriturismo offering farm-like accommodation on the outskirts of town in rural surroundings. Delicious homemade food. F Milleluci T 0165 235278. A hotel-cum campsite in nearby Roppoz. Family-run and recently refurbished, it offers a cosy environment with clean simple rooms and good value tasty meals. IvreaC Aquila Antica, via Gozzano 37, T 0125 641364, closed Sun, all cards accepted. Better known as a restaurant, but comfortable and convenient if you don’t want far to go after a delicious meal. D Agriturismo La Miniera, via Miniere 9, Lessolo, T 0125 58618. Not exactly convenient unless you have a car, this is a beautiful villa in the countryside. E Eden, C.so d’Azeglio 67, T 0125 49190, F 0125 641293, http://www.mediturhotels.it A medium to large hotel offering bland chain comfort and all mod cons. Campsites and cheaper hostels abound in the outlying villages and towns but for more precise information contact the Aosta tourist information office.
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Turin - £7.99
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