You’re driving toward Bologna, the sun is dipping low over the Emilia-Romagna countryside, and the GPS starts nudging you toward the outskirts. Specifically, toward Villanova di Castenaso. If you’re like most travelers, you might wonder why you aren't heading straight for the crowded, narrow streets of the city center. But then you pull into the Living Place Hotel Villanova, and the vibe shifts instantly. Honestly, it’s the kind of place that feels like a secret handshake among business travelers and families who know better than to fight for a parking spot in the Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL).
What Exactly is the Living Place Hotel Villanova?
First things first: the naming gets people mixed up. You'll see it listed as Living Place Hotel Bologna, but locals and regulars call it the Villanova property because of its specific location in the Villanova di Castenaso district. It’s a four-star hub that basically functions as a resort-meets-business-center. Built back in 1979 but refreshed significantly in 2022, it’s got that sprawling, generous architecture you just don’t find in the cramped medieval heart of Bologna.
The hotel is strategically sitting about 1 km from the A14 motorway exit (Bologna San Lazzaro). This makes it a tactical masterstroke if you’re doing a road trip through Italy or if you have a morning flight from Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which is only a 15-minute drive away.
The Room Situation: From Executive to Icon Prestige
Don’t expect old-world Italian kitsch here. The rooms are stripped back, functional, and very clean.
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The hotel has about 205 rooms total. Recently, they rolled out the "Icon Prestige" rooms, which are basically their way of saying "we know you want a rain shower and designer lighting." If you’re staying in the older Executive or Superior rooms, they’re perfectly fine—taupe and beige palettes, soundproofed walls, and cold minibars—but the Prestige rooms are where the hotel is trying to compete with the high-end boutiques downtown.
A quick heads-up for families: they have these "Double-Double" rooms in the Prestige category that actually fit four people comfortably without feeling like a game of Tetris. That’s rare in Italy.
The Olympic Pool: A Summer Game Changer
If you visit in July, the Living Place Hotel Villanova isn’t just a hotel; it’s a social club. Their outdoor Olympic-sized swimming pool is legendary in the area. Most city hotels in Bologna have a tiny rooftop plunge pool if they’re lucky. This place has a full 50-meter lap pool.
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- Season: It’s open from June to mid-September.
- The Vibe: The "Pop by Living" pool bar serves artisanal ice cream and cocktails.
- Cost: If you aren't staying at the hotel, you usually have to pay a fee to use the pool, but for guests, it’s the ultimate way to decompress after a day of meetings at the Fiera.
There’s also a serious sports complex attached. You’ve got four tennis courts (two are GreenSet) and three beach volleyball courts. It’s sorta surreal to see people playing beach tennis in the middle of the Italian countryside, but it works.
Eating and Hanging Out
The on-site restaurant, simply called "Living," is helmed by Chef Marcello Baruzzi. Now, usually, hotel food is... well, hotel food. But this place leans heavily into the Bolognese tradition. You’re going to find real tortellini and mortadella that actually tastes like it came from a local salumeria.
They also have a dedicated pizzeria with a proper oven. If you’ve spent the day walking 20,000 steps under the porticos of Bologna, sometimes you just want to sit on the veranda overlooking the pool with a Margherita and a cold Peroni.
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Why the Location Actually Works
A lot of people worry that being 7-8 km from the historic center is a dealbreaker. It isn’t, provided you understand the logistics.
- The Shopping Mall: There’s a massive shopping center called Centro Nova literally five minutes away on foot. If you forgot a charger, need a cheap pair of shoes, or want to hit a supermarket (Coop) for snacks, it’s right there.
- The Bus: There is a bus stop right in front of the hotel that takes you into the city center. It’s convenient, though it can be a bit infrequent on Sundays.
- Parking: This is the big one. Parking in central Bologna is a nightmare of fines and narrow alleys. Here, the parking is massive, free, and even has Tesla destination chargers.
Business and Events
With over 450 square meters of meeting space and eight different rooms, the Living Place Hotel Villanova is a workhorse for the Bologna Exhibition Center (BolognaFiere). If there’s a major trade show like Cosmoprof or Cersaie happening, this place fills up with people in suits talking shop over espresso. The WiFi is solid—which is not always a given in older Italian buildings—and they have a 24/7 fitness center with Technogym gear if you’re the type who needs to run at 3:00 AM.
Insider Tips for Your Stay
- Ask for a pool view: The rooms facing the countryside are quiet, but the ones overlooking the pool and garden feel a bit more "vacation-y."
- Check the pool dates: If you’re booking specifically for the Olympic pool, double-check their opening dates. They usually shut it down around the second week of September.
- Breakfast strategy: The buffet is surprisingly diverse. They do a vegetarian breakfast that isn't just an afterthought, and the pastries are actually fresh.
If you are looking for a romantic, creaky hotel in a 500-year-old palazzo, this isn't it. But if you want space, a massive pool, easy parking, and a room where the air conditioning actually works, the Living Place Hotel Villanova is a very smart play.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the BolognaFiere Calendar: Before booking, see if there's a major trade show. If there is, prices will spike, and you should book at least three months in advance.
- Download the TPER App: This is the local transport app. It’ll give you real-time schedules for the bus into the city center so you aren't standing on the sidewalk for 20 minutes.
- Email for the "Pool Package": If you’re visiting in summer, ask the front desk about their specific pool-plus-room deals, as they often include sunbed rentals that otherwise cost about 10 euros.