Hotel Bristol Palace Classic Fine Hotel - City-Center Hotel - Romantic Lodgings

Character: Kings, rajahs and movie stars have stayed here while visiting Genoa -- a city as fascinating as it is overlooked. Advantages: Walk to absolutely everything from this great location, and revel in the historic luxury when you return. Location: In the heart of Genoa, close to the train station and the cruise docks. The San Carlo Opera House is next door, while the Cathedral, Via Garibaldi, Palazzo Ducale, Aquarium and Old Port are all within easy walking distance. Click here to see the map for Hotel Bristol Palace. Since it was built in 1905, this has been considered Genoa's leading hotel. Royalty from all over Europe, the Orient and Hollywood have stayed here. The incredible elliptical staircase that leads from the grand lobby up to the rooms is said to have inspired Hitchcock to make his masterpiece Vertigo. What we like best is that, although this is truly a grand hotel, it has the intimate feel of a family inn. The lobby is warm and inviting, as are the personnel who staff the front desk. Ask them for their custom-made guidebook to the wonders of Genoa, as well as maps and helpful tips. Everything is an easy walk from the hotel, so you'll be able to sightsee without stress. When you return, at the back of the lobby is the elegant bistro where you can settle onto a velvet couch and order a delicious light meal or an expertly mixed cocktail.

Public Transportation: Many buses stop right in front of the hotel, including one that comes in from the airport.         Rooms: 133 on 6 floors, including singles, doubles, triples, junior suites and two-room suites. All have tile, parquet or wall-to-wall carpet on the floors, as well as antique furniture and velvet, satin and silk upholstery. Some rooms face the courtyard while others face the street and offer views of Genoa. All have large double-glazed windows. The single rooms have a full-sized bed and desk. All the rooms are larger than average. Some junior suites have a glassed-in alcove with a table and chairs. Suites have a separate living room that can be made up with one or two beds, plus a bedroom with king bed, and a marble bathroom. One connects to a junior suite for a total of seven people. Non-smoking rooms are available.         Features: Air conditioning, soundproof windows, color satellite TV and pay TV, direct-dial telephone, wireless Internet connection, safe, and mini-bar. Linen sheets, great terrycloth towels, pillow menu, pants valet. Each room has a private bathroom with bathtub and wall shower or stall shower (junior suites and suites have a whirlpool tub), make-up mirror, hair dryer, glass tumblers, and excellent courtesy set. Robes are also provided in junior suites and suites.         Facilities: Elevator; American buffet breakfast; bistro open 7 days a week; complimentary Internet point; wireless in the lobby; room service until 11:30pm; valet garage parking at 25 Euro/night.

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