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Disappointing Stay in a City That Overpromises||Bologna is a small city that suffers from some of the worst traits of a metropolis: dangerous, overpriced, and, especially in the city center, smelly and dirty.||The Hotel Metropolitan hotel, where I stayed, is not unsafe, but it certainly feels like a money grab.||Though billed as a four-star hotel, the experience falls short. On the surface, things look promising: the décor is tasteful, and the front desk staff—particularly the lady who checked me in—is courteous and professional. My room included a small separate small room with a fridge and daybed, plus a little private garden.||Unfortunately, the positives end there.||The bathroom was not very clean and the plaster was cracked in places in the shower, and there is mould in the shower too (see attached photos). The housekeeping was careless at best. On multiple occasions, the cleaning staff entered my room without knocking when I was inside. The first time this happened, I had just returned from walking in the summer heat (34°C), was about to shower, and was completely undressed when a cleaning lady walked right in. I yelled for her to leave and called the front desk. No apology was offered.||On the final day, someone walked in again without knocking while I was packing. This time they offered an excuse: “Non ha funzionato la domotica” (“The automation system didn’t work”), and did apologize—but only after I complained.||The breakfast is generous and well-presented, but the staff seem disinterested and borderline hostile, as if guests were an inconvenience.||Parking is another headache. The hotel uses a garage about 1 km away, where you're asked to leave your keys—but the staff does not lock the cars and leaves the keys inside. I had to leave two suitcases in the car (I was in transit between cities), and the attendants warned me that, even though they held the keys, they took no responsibility for the safety of my belongings. I ended up returning that night to empty the car myself.||In short: for €320 a night, I expected a higher standard of service, privacy, and professionalism. I know this is Bologna—a small city with a big attitude—but they can do much better.
