Hotels in Italian Cities

Q: My husband and I are traveling on the MSC Sinfonia to Genoa and arrive on the 19th May and would liket to spend two or three days in Genoa and then move onto Milan and also stay for a few days. Where could we find reasonable price accomodation in the two cities? - Anka Alberti

A: My choice in Genoa would be the Welcome Helvetia, a 3-star hotel located in the historical city centre on the Piazza della Nunziata. It is within walking distance of the central railway station, the Ducale palace and the Aquarium. The five-storey hotel has an elevator and rooms are nicely furnished with private bathrooms. Rooms are available during your dates for 85 Euros per night. A cheaper choice close to the port and next to the Principe railway staion is the Tre Stazioni hotel. This two-star family-run hotel offers double rooms for 65 Euros. All prices include taxes and are available on the www.venere.com website. In Milan, a reasonable choice is the Hotel St.George, which is located near the Corso Buenos Aires shopping street, Air conditioned twin rooms are available from 95 Euros with breakfast on www.booking.com. If you want to splash out, go for the four-star Starhotels Ritz, located in the Via Spallanzani, near the shops of Milan's Corso Buenos Aires. It offers free access to the fitness center and spa, which has a Turkish bath and a Finnish shower. During your dates, www.booking.com has a special price of 135 Euros per night if you stay three nights in a superior double room. That is great value. If none of these hotels appeals to you or fits your pocket, you can find other options on these and other discount websites like www.hotels.com, www.hotelscombined.com and www.expedia.com. Fill in your dates and available hotels and the rates will be displayed. (20/2/11)