Hotel Soana - Genoa

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Apr 2008

A brilliant place to stay in central Genova, half way down one of the busiest shopping areas in the town. The hotel is initially not very obvious, being on the 4th floor of a converted "town house". The tiny wooden elevator which rattles and creaks up to the hotel doesn't prepare you for the exceptionally clean and modern hotel you arrive at. The room was not enormous but clean and very comfortable, with fresh towels and sheets daily. Wi-fi access was available and cheap enough (€4 for 5 hours). The staff were all very friendly and helpful and I can safely say that I will stay here again. The only possible drawback to some people might be that the hotel closes at 1am and it is not possible to get in after that. A word of warning about Genova airport. The buses from the airport to the G. Principia train station are only once an hour (at time of writing, April 2008) and you then need to get a bus from there to the G. Brignole station, or catch a train. It took us 2 hours to get to the hotel from the airport. Next time, we'll be getting a taxi. Genova is generally a fascinating town, with many remnants of its mediaeval past still visible. Make sure you explore the old historic section. It is also worth taking the enormous transverse funicular to the top of the city - there is a very old-fashioned restaurant at the top - and walking down to the Castello Museum from there, then taking the glass elevator back to the city centre. If this sort of thing interests you, the Staglieno cemetery is unbelievable, more of a sculpture garden than anything else.

Guest name: Dauvit Alexander, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jan 2008

Soana was very central, easy to get to, easy to get to sights etc. Staff were friendly and helpful. Room was lovely, large. If there was street noise, it was blocked by the shutters. Being off-season there were not many people around. Genova was my favourite place in Italy.

Guest name: VS, New Zealand

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jan 2008

Great Hotel, great location, convenient both to the Brignoli station and the historic downtown, right next to the Oriental Market. Highly recommended.

Guest name: MT, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Nov 2007

Very satisfied with accommodations, as advertised, including breakfast. Management was particularly gracious in helping me solve a transportation problem that arose during a rail strike. I recommend this hotel.

Guest name: AZ, USA

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

We loved it here. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Great location, close to the train station and historical area. The hotel was in an old historic building which we liked very much. I wish we had spent another day in Genoa. Breakfast was offered (for an additonal price) but since we were in a hurry the next day to catch our ship we did not eat here. We would definitely stay here again.

Guest name: KH, USA

Average rating:  7.2

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Nos surpreendemos quando descobrimos que o café da manhã não era incluso no preço. Nos parece que não é dito no site que não era. Difícil para chegar de carro, dificil para descarregar as malas (elevador minúsculo).

Guest name: Cinthia Engel, Brazil

Average rating:  8.7

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Albergo è centralissimo, stanze molto pulite e anche se piccole, sono belle. Non c'e parcheggio privato, e quindi se venite in macchina dovrete lasciarla in uno a pagamento, ci sono abbastanza vicini. Colazione non era incluso nel prezzo, se dicidete a farlo lo stesso, non aspettate niente di particolare, pane e focaccia poco fresca a 6E a testa... In totale soggiorno ci piaciuto e ritornerei in Soana ancora.

Guest name: SV, Italy

Average rating:  4.2

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Sep 2007

Felt very institutional, rooms were clean but persistently smelt of smoke and unpleasant to be in, towels like sandpaper. Some staff were friendly and helpful, others made you feel like an unwelcome inconvenience.

Guest name: Robert Mayfield, Germany

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

This is the 4th time we've stayed at this really nice hotel, situated on the 4th floor of a Liberty Style building. The tiny gated (original) lift takes 2 people plus 2 large bags. Staff are welcoming and efficient. Rooms are a good size and clean. Good double glazing keeps most of the busy road noise out- we have no difficulty sleeping. Good central location, 5 mins from Brignole station. The airport Volabus used to stop outside but now terminates at Principe station- however you can change to the No.20 (which still stops across the road from the hotel)there using your Volabus ticket which covers city transport for 24 hours.

Guest name: AD, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: 

stayed in Sep 2007

El hotel esta muy centrico, pero no tiene sitio para aparcar.Las habitaciones son muy espaciosas y se ve la uno intenacional.El ascensor es como el de aqui no hay quien viva y el hotel esta en un tercero de edificios antiguos y si subes cargado andando te da un patatus, en general bien

Guest name: SN, Spain

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Aug 2007

Ottima soluzione per una vacanze in questa slendida città, che è sottovalutata perfino dalle guide turistiche... merita proprio una visita! l'hotel è molto pulito, il personale è disponibile ed affabile. non c'è colazione continentale, ma è più che sufficiente. tornerei sicuramente al Soana se dovessi rivisitare Genova e dintorni!

Guest name: Federica D'Odorico, Italy

Average rating:  7.1

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Aug 2007

SDB moyenne, pas de clim, pas de parking, ventilo

Guest name: AM, France

Average rating:  9.3

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Aug 2007

Everything was perfect, except the elevator, wich was very small and old. Besides, there was some noise from the buses early in the morning. The staff indicated us a parking place, wich cost 12 euros per day. The staff was very kind, serving us the breakfast half an hour earlier than the usual in the hotel. I recomend this hotel.

Guest name: MANUEL MELEIRO, Portugal

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Aug 2007

Enjoyed our stay at the Soanna,nice compact hotel on the fourth floor,away from street noise,the room was clean and modern.All the staff were very friendly and spoke good English.The hotel is ideally positioned being 10 minutes walk from the 'old' town area and is only 5 to 10 minutes from Brignole railway station.All in all a goog value hotel.

Guest name: Bryan Irving, United Kingdom

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Aug 2007

quality of 4-stars room at 2-stars price

Guest name: Radek Linhart, Germany

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Aug 2007

This is a really central hotel, great location, great staff. We were there a week and will be going again.

Guest name: Gavin Robertson, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.3

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

The hotel was just fine. However, I would not reccommend Genova for more than a stop-over. There is very little to do.

Guest name: Charlotte Hamilton, Portugal

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jun 2007

Receptionists (owners) were very helpful and gave some good advice.

Guest name: Ruud Worm, Netherlands

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jun 2007

The best 2 star hotel I have stayed, having even safe box and bar with refrigerator inside the room! This was really pleasant stay!

Guest name: Andrey Aleksanyants, Armenia

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in May 2007

Great place! very central, clean, quiet, and the personnel was friendly and welcoming. Perhaps not the greatest view from the room, but who wanted to spend time in the room when there is the historic center of Genova just next door?

Guest name: GH, USA

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in May 2007

The Soana hotel is located right at the city center, within several minutes' walk from all the main attractions. The rooms are clean, the staff is friendly. All in all, it represents excellent value for money. And if you travel by train like I did, the Brignole train station is also within several minutes walk.

Guest name: Yaron Federman, Israel

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Group

stayed in Apr 2007

It was my second time. There's a lot of nopises if you have a room on the street, but you could ask for an internal room and the window is excellent, so if you close it you don't hear anything... It's a good hotel for relationship price/quality. The hotel is very very tidy!

Guest name: Rosanna Villani, Italy

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Mar 2007

I enjoyed the stay at this hotel and would definitely return. The location is central and transport links are very good, however as a consequence the traffic along XX September is noisy and might upset light sleeper's should they have a room on that side; that is the only negative. Staff were very friendly; shops, restaurants, central market, galleries in close or walkable proximity. Recommended.

Guest name: Ian McHugh, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jan 2007

Nice hotel, excellent location and friendly service.

Guest name: Mikio Ono, Uruguay

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Dec 2006

Everything was great - a nice, clean, Italian/European hotel (why stay in a 5-star hotel that could be in any country in the world?)! The desk staff people were friendly and helpful. Location was great too - the hotel is within walking distance of all the sights we wanted to see.

Guest name: James Taylor, Canada

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Dec 2006

L'albergo è in posizione perfetta, non si può chiedere di meglio, le camere sono spaziose e la pulizia è davvero buona. Davvero un hotel perfetto se si vuole soggiornaere in pieno centro a un prezzo contenuto. Unica pecca, prima colazione non inclusa.

Guest name: CC, Italy

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Nov 2006

Accueil, services et prestations excellentes. Accoglienza, servizi e prestazioni eccelenti. Excellent welcoming, services and facilities.

Guest name: Stephanie Le Coq, Spain

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Nov 2006

Very quiet room even if the hotel is located on a crowdy street. Very pleasant welcoming. We were in a all new room, very clean. But a little dark. We recommand it ! We recommand too the bar in front of the hotel to have breakfast.

Guest name: Christel Favier, France

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2006

This was an real find - we stayed in the refurbished rooms (the corridor to the right of reception) and the Soana was by far the best hotel we have stayed in over four visits to Genoa in the past few years. Value for money it is truly outstanding. Spotlessly clean, welcoming staff and areasonable breakfast (at an additional cost).

Guest name: Margaret Humphrey, Australia

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Sep 2006

Las indicaciones para entrar en el hotel están de pena. Las habitaciones son fantásticas y el trato de los trabajadores maravilloso. Totalmente recomendable!

Guest name: NC, Spain

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Sep 2006

This was our first experience of a hotel being on a floor inside an apartment building. Once you got over the fact that the elevator looked like something out of the Twilight Zone and you were greeted by a nice reception gentleman, it wasn't so bad. I liked that it had working air conditioning! Although it smelt a bit antiseptic/bleachy, it was better than smelling like wee! Nice place if you're just doing a stop over! Liked the vaulted ceiling!

Guest name: Jennifer Mather, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Aug 2006

camere semplici e pulite. ottima posizione per visitare la citta'.

Guest name: Nicola Carnaroli, Italy

Average rating:  7.5

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Aug 2006

Hôtel agréable et très bien placé mais quand il fait très chaud, le petit ventilateur de plafond que nous avions dans notre chambre est un peu insuffisant et si on veut ouvrir la fenêtre, il faut supporter le bruit de la rue (bruit normal pour une rue de centre ville).

Guest name: MC, France

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Jul 2006

NoOus y avons passé une nuit. Très bon accueil. Les chambres ne sont pas climatisées mais disposent d'un ventilateur. Bon accueil. Il y a un parking couvert pas très loin (payant). L'hotel est bien situé (centre ville) et le soir, nous avons pu faire une balade sympa dans les alentours. ATTENTION : l'hotel est situ au 4ème étage et l'ascenseur est très petit (deux personnes). A recommander.

Guest name: YP, France

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2006

Good welcoming and information given. Bon accueil, peronnel compétent et agréable.

Guest name: Fabrice Panjolles, France

Average rating:  6.1

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Jul 2006

En las indicaciones pone mal como llegar y estuvimos buscandolo un buen rato porque la numeración en Genova es un poco rara. No tiene aire acondicionado. Por lo demás está bastante centrico.

Guest name: Raquel Fariñas, Spain

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Group

stayed in Jun 2006

Just a small perfect Hotel in the middle of the beautiful city of Genua - very clean, easy to reach from the Central Railway station, and only 10 minutes by train from the next railway station to the beach. Frendly and competent stuff, not expensive - it could not be better. Thanks a lot!!!

Guest name: Olga Schloemer, Germany

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2006

The Soana was a short distance from the Brignole train station, easily walked with pull-along luggage. Also, it is in a very nice area of town. Although the rooms are a bit modest, they were very clean. The bathroom was a bit small, but very functional and clean. The bed was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on. The staff was very friendly. We liked the Soana enough that, upon checkout, we booked a room there for two nights at the end of our vacation.

Guest name: KC, USA

Average rating:  8.5

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in May 2006

Hotel was as expected. Construction scaffolding at entrance makes entrance distracting. Relatively easy walk with wheeled luggage from Genova Brig train station. Map was given of city upon checkin and upon request authentic local restaurants recommended Trattoria Bedin and Trattoria Vegia Zena, both excellent. Hotel continetal breakfast the same each day and adequate but for price suggest finding a cafe instead. We utilized due to convenience. Good location to explore historic downtown and walk to harbor. 20E cab to Genova Prin train station . We rented room for three that had matrimonial bed with single and small balcony. Hotel is located on 4th floor with a lift. Public areas consist of checkin desk and breakfast room. We would stay at Hotel Soana again.

Guest name: Nancy Roberts, USA

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2006

Although this hotel is on the fourth floor of a building, the street noise (mostly buses) was phenomenal. Coupled with the fact that we had no air conditioner and had to open the windows meant that we didn't get a very good night's sleep. The minibar was well stocked and fairly inexpensive.

Guest name: Trevor Miller, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2006

Très bon acceuil, très propre, très bien situé pour visiter. Pas de problème pour parking avec conseil à l'acceuil.

Guest name: JA, France

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: Single leisure traveller

stayed in Feb 2006

Simple, basic hotel located near the train station at Genoa. The front desk was helpful in telling me the only open restaurant late at night was a McDonald's so I was forced to have some. Good, cheap place to stay within 5 minute walk of the train station.

Guest name: Charles Polanski, USA

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in May 2006

Zentrale Unterkunft in Genua in einem schönen alten Stadthaus. Die meisten Zimmer gehen nach hinten raus und sind relativ ruhig. Wir würden dort durchaus wieder buchen.

Guest name: RB, Germany

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2006

Notre court séjour s'est très bien passé. Accueil chaleureux même si le français reste très peu parlé, très bon rapport qualité-prix, L'hôtel est bien situé dans un quartier commerçant ; pas très loin du centre historique. Nous avons été déçus par l'échafaudage qui cachait la magnifique façade mais amusés par le fait que l'hôtel soit au quatrième étage de cet immeuble où se trouvent également des bureaux des appartements... Attention, l'ascenseur est très petit Si vous arrivez à quatre avec de grosses valises, prévoir plusieurs voyages! Le quartier est plutôt bien fréquenté la nuit et, sur les conseils du portier nous avons laissé notre moto (Honda pan european ) dans la rue ,en bas de l'immeuble. L'Italie est le pays des deux-roues! Si la plupart des parkings à voiture sont payants, les parkings pour deux-roues sont nombreux et gratuits.

Guest name: Françoise RAMPIN, France

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Mar 2006

Un point de vue en langue francaise, je pense qu'il n'y en avait pas. Cet hotel est tres bien situé et offre un tres bon rapport qualité prix. De plus un excellent accueil vous met tout de suite à l'aise. Les prix des extras (mini bar, bar, snacks) et tout a fait raisonnable. On pourra juste reprocher une isolation acoustique un peu legere par endroit et on pourrait souhaiter, concernant ce que le site "venere" dit de l'hotel, une indication sur "comment rejoindre l'hotel" mieux expliquée. En effet, A Gênes il 'a deux gares principales et les rues disposent d'une double numerotation un peu trompeuse. Cela dit, une fois l'hotel trouvé, on passe un excellent sejour !

Guest name: Philippe Vincent, Italy

Average rating:  9.3

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Feb 2006

great breakfast, terrific location.

Guest name: Sherry Fyman, USA

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jan 2006

Very enjoyable stay

Guest name: Linda Sutton, United Kingdom

Average rating:  4.6

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jan 2006

In city center, a little bit noisy. Nice high roof rooms. Closes at 1:00am. Kind welcoming. Don't come with car to this place, it's not sure for foreigners cars.

Guest name: SP, France

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Oct 2005

The hotel was quiet despite being in a central location. The rooms were clean and the staff extremely helpful and accomodating. My wife left her purse in the breakfast room one morning and it was promptly returned to her. The staff even called the next city to make hotel reservations for us. We are very impressed with the exceptional integrity and helpfulness of the staff. We have no hesitation in recommending this hotel to anyone!

Guest name: MD, USA

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2005

The availability of tea/coffee making facilities would improve the use of the romm

Guest name: George Ellaby, United Kingdom