Starhotels Majestic - Torino, Italy 

Good choice in the center of Torino. Close walking distance to bars and restaurants. Breakfast is really pretty good if you skip the coffee (juice, croissants, yogurt, cold meat, cereals, eggs, fruit...). Take the tea instead. Rooms are larger than you would expect from a typical European hotel. Excellent bathroom w marble floors, loads of towels... Great value at about E125 per night.

Star Hotel Majestic, Torino Italy LOCATION: The Majestic’s location is probably its greatest strength. It’s a 40-50 Euro, 20-40 minute taxi ride from the Airport, depending on Traffic. It’s located in the heart of the downtown area, diagonally across from the Porto Nuova train station, on Corso Vittorio Emanuelle. The train station has a wonderful little shop which seems to always be open, even when everything else in Torino is closed. In addition to basic snacks, drinks, and toiletries, they stock lost-luggage items like underwear, dress shirts, and even ties. The pickings are sparse in that department, but they do well in a pinch. For more food and beverage selections, there’s a small grocery store about a block down C.V.E. The hotel is about a block away from Corso Roma, one of Torino’s main shopping streets. CHECK IN: I’ve stayed at the Majestic about 6 or 7 times, and the check in process has always been very prompt, courteous, and professional. Everyone seems to speak excellent English. the only complaint I might have, is that the room keys are connected to a door-knob-sized hunk of metal with tassels. They prefer that you leave your key with the front desk when you go out. I just detach it and carry it with me. SERVICE: If location is the greatest strength, service is a close second. Through several incidents of lost luggage and radical schedule changes, the staff of the Majestic has graciously helped me track bags, coordinate with airlines, recommended restaurants, stored bags, mailed packages, and other things I’m sure that escape my memory. I’ve never stayed at another Italian (or European, for that matter) hotel with this level of personal service. LAYOUT: Like most hotels in Torino, the Majestic is located in an old, renovated building. As such, no two rooms are alike. Luckily, each floor is essentially a rectangle. If you get lost, you’ll eventually end up at the elevators again. For light sleepers, a courtyard-facing room is probably best. The traffic in Torino is constant, and lasts late into the morning hours. The reception area contains the front desk, the restaurant, and a small bar. ROOMS: The rooms at the Majestic have all been very nice. Where most hotels in the area have wood or laminate floors, the majestic has carpet. This is a definite plus, at least for me. While the amenities aren’t brand spanking new, everything is clean and well-kept. The beds are firm, but comfortable. Linens are always clean. Pillows are just so-so. There are no irons in the rooms, but there is one available from the front desk. Bathrooms are primarily marble tile. The water has an odd, almost spicy smell. The water pressure varies a bit, as does the temperature. The changes are signaled by a change in the sound of the water, however, so you can anticipate them. There are a zillion light switches, which control various combinations of lights. It’s a little annoying, but it doesn’t take long to narrow down which two or three you’ll need most. Rooms are solid and quiet, and I’ve never heard anyone in adjoining rooms, but the windows aren’t thick enough to dampen the noise from outside traffic. PARKING: There’s no dedicated parking facility. If you can avoid driving in Torino, you should probably do it. Between busses, taxis, and the new subway system, getting around the city is MUCH easier using public transportation. RESTAURANT: While I’ve never eaten lunch or dinner at the house restaurant, the rooms do come with a VERY good breakfast buffet. In addition to the standard rolls, meats, juices, and yogurts, there are also hot dishes like eggs, bacon, etc. Service, again, is top notch. SUMMARY: The Majestic is a very nice place to stay, but you’ll pay for what you get. If I were traveling on my own money, there are many valid reasons (location, personal service, comfort) why I could justify the pricey accommodations. If you’re looking for a ‘deal’, though, you could probably find a more basic hotel for a lot less. I will continue to stay at the Majestic, regardless of whether I’m staying for business or pleasure.