Urban Hotel Design - Trieste, Italy     

This turned out to be the Trieste version of Frankfurt's The Pure. Minimalism, lots of white and it takes itself far too seriously. Location is good - no views but central (although building work across the narrow lane at the back). Room was very small and very white. One of the problems was the fact that aircon will not work unless key is in the slot so it can be unpleasantly hot and humid every time you open the door. Bathroom had no window and noisy fan. Clearly new, furniture was in good shape and room was clean but, again, really quite small. Breakfast was usual disappointment although croissants were OK. Juice was usual 95% coloured water concoction but that is almost the standard these days. An interesting concept and an OK stay but not sure it's worth the money. Not quite as hip and trendy as it clearly likes to think.

?112 should buy you a large, comfortable room in a 4-star hotel, with a central location and facilities such as on-site parking, gym, plush bar and restaurant etc. Urban doesn't come up with all the goodies, but it's not bad. The location is fantastic - you're in the very centre of Trieste here, a surprisingly beautiful city with many interesting buildings and quality bars and restaurants. The staff are very friendly, and are happy to put in the effort to keep you happy. I arrived tired and hungry and needed a sandwich. I was surprised that the bar didn't normally provide snacks, but someone raided the breakfast stock for me and knocked up something quick. A nice touch, but can't they run a decent bar/restaurant anyway? The rooms are very much form-over-function. Like other reviewers have said, angular furniture doesn't always fit well with the human form. The decor is certainly interesting, but any more than a one-night stay, and the rectangular toilet would have started to grate. Some attention is also needed to the finish, especially with the electric sockets, which had all worked their way loose. Breakfast was excellent, with a wide range of delicious foods, and the service at check-out continued in the faultless vein of the previous day's. All in all, it's a nice little designy-boutique hotel. Not really my scene, but there was enough here to make me leave satisfied.